Students gathered Thursday evening in the Student Union Theatre to celebrate African American culture and history at the University’s annual Harambeé event.
Harambeé, a Swahili word for “coming together,” is an annual event hosted by Campus Life, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the African American
Cultural Center.
Jacob Brumfield, assistant dean of students and associate director of Campus Life, said Harambeé is an opportunity to welcome and celebrate African American students on campus.
It is important as a predominantly white institution to celebrate minority culture and history on campus, he said.
The event included a variety of speakers, such as members of the University faculty, Student Government President John Woodard, student organization ambassadors and the Chief Information Officer of Southern University Carlos Thomas, who was the keynote speaker.
Interim Vice Provost of Equity, Diversity and Community Outreach Kenneth Miles gave the welcome address where he stressed the importance of designing the trajectory of our future.
“The reality is that things do not always have to exist the way they do and that we can recognize that we can be in a position to make that change,” Miles said.
K.C. White, associate vice chancellor and dean of the Office of the Dean of Students, said one of her proudest memories of this semester so far was Community Bound and how that relates back to the meaning of Harambeé: unity.
Carlos Thomas, a former African American studies professor at the University, said it’s important for African Americans to be both economically and politically empowered.
“As college students, we think because we are in college that we can just spend money and not have to pay it back, but that is not true, and I like that Dr. Thomas touched on that issue,” said Jourdan Williams, mass
communications senior.
The event featured live music, dance and spoken word performances by the MLK Dance Ensemble, the Legacy Dancers, the Tiger Girls, Khrysy Freelow, Jonosha Jackson and a National Pan-Hellenic Council Unity Step.
Philosophy junior Cimajie Best said after attending this event, students learned to be more involved in their community.
Following the performances in the Student Union Theatre, students moved to the Union North Lobby for The Harambeé Café post show, which served as a meet-and-greet and featured a musical performace from The
Thomas Brothers.