Slam poets performed, the Tiger Girls danced and members of the National Panhellenic Council stepped Thursday night at Harambee, an annual African-American cultural celebration.
The event, held in the Student Union Ballroom, was designed to expose students to dialogue about cross-cultural affairs. Nikki Caldwell, LSU women’s basketball coach, was the keynote speaker.
Caldwell addressed the crowd with an inspiring message centering on a positive attitude, effective communication and being a “giver.”
She encouraged students to break down goals.
“To have a great school year, string together great days and months,” she said.
Caldwell encouraged audience members to “make every day a masterpiece” and to be effective communicators and listeners.
Caldwell encouraged audience members to develop skill in addition to talent. She called skill “the difference between good and great, the difference between getting hired and just getting an interview, the difference between cutting down nets and watching other people cut down nets.”
Caldwell also stressed the importance of philanthropy. She rides her Harley-Davidson in a motorcycle ride called “Cruisin’ for a Cause,” which raises money and awareness for breast cancer.
“I want the world to be better because I was here,” she said.
Cerise Edmonds, coordinator of cross-cultural affairs in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, said in an e-mail that a committee of students and staff chose Caldwell “because of the enthusiasm and excitement she … brought to LSU in her short time here.”
Harambee also featured various University organizations, including the Legacy Dancers and the Tiger Girls, whose performance Thursday was their first at Harambee. Several individual acts of slam poetry and musical performance were also showcased.
“Tonight shows our commitment to community as we respect each other’s … backgrounds and ideas,” said Kurt Keppler, vice chancellor of Student Life and Enrollment Services.
Harambee featured a tribute to Victoria Archangel, a former adviser in the E.J. Ourso College of Business who passed away last year in a car accident during her commute to the University. Eli Jones, dean of the College of Business, said Archangel made an impact on students’ lives.
“She would want you to live gold and laugh,” Jones said.
Julian White, the first African-American professor at the University, was also paid tribute to during the ceremony. Ken Carpenter, dean of the College of Art and Design, teared up as he described White as someone who loved his family, his students and architecture.
Crystal Turley, kinesiology freshman, said she enjoyed the event and would recommend other students attend. She said her favorite part was NPHC’s Unity Step.
“It’s an amazing experience,” said Brittany Caston, kinesiology freshman.
Shanae Mincy, sports administration junior, said her favorite part was Caldwell’s positive energy and personality in her address. She said turnout this year was better than in the previous years she attended.
 
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Contact Catherine Parsiola at [email protected]