Major Events

Submitted by Ajanae N. Bennett on Friday, 4/1/2016, at 5:08 PM

 

Harlem Renaissance

      Harlem Renaissance is a semi-formal annual event that takes place the first Saturday of November. It is a celebration of past and present African-American culture and arts. There is a catered dinner while jazz music from the 1920’s and 30’s is performed by a student jazz band. After dinner, students perform original and classic songs, poems, dance, and spoken word narrations.

 

Kwanzaa

      Kwanzaa is a week long African-American and Pan-African celebration of family and community. Due to time, our celebration is shorten to one day, usually the first Sunday of December. Students participate in reciting the history and meaning of Kwanzaa as well as nominating faculty, staff, and fellow students for upholding the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, and Imani. The ceremony is followed by a feast in the GeraldPennyCulturalCenter (The Octagon.)

 

CaribFest

      Caribfest, short for Caribbean Festival, is a week long celebration of Afro-Caribbean heritage and culture. It typically takes place the last week of April at KeefeCampusCenter. There are bead and mask making, quizzes on Caribbean geography and history, as well as prizes and giveaways and a steel drummer. There is a central speaker that discusses a different aspect of Caribbean culture, history, or politics each year. The week ends with an outdoor dinner featuring traditional Haitian and Jamaican cuisine and traditional Haitian dance performances and drumming.