Connections With Evan Dawson

It's prom season, and for high schoolers across the region, prom isn’t just a rite of passage anymore. It’s a stage. We’re talking crystallized corsets, embroidered tuxedos, motorcades, professional photographers, and send-off parties that look more like weddings. In many Black communities, prom has become a dazzling display of creativity, self-expression, and joy. Think of it as a teen Met Gala—shaped by tradition and TikTok. But there’s more to prom than just the glamor; it also raises deeper questions—about identity, performance, social media, and how a new generation is redefining what celebration looks like. This hour, guest host Racquel Stephen dives into prom as fashion statement, cultural ritual, and social phenomenon. Our guests: Tania Casini, local designer specializing in custom prom fashion Kasey Casini, fashion designer at Tania Casini Nathaniel Johnson, local designer specializing in custom prom fashion Jeffrey McCune, Jr., Ph.D., founding chair of the Department of Black Studies and the Univers