About 150 students, faculty and staff members packed together in the Washington Sankofa room to join hands and yell “Harambee” Tuesday night as a way to welcome new members into their community.
Harambee, sponsored by the African American Cultural Center, has been held on NC State’s campus for approximately 10 years and is instrumental in introducing new members to the African American Cultural Center, according to Kinesha Harris, a senior studying biological sciences and the president of the AYA ambassadors.
Harris, along with Brayndon Stafford, a senior studying environmental sciences, emceed Harambee, which is named after the Swahili word for “let us come together.”
Throughout the event, attendees were encouraged to take active roles in their surrounding communities.
Marc Jackson, a senior studying business and marketing education, delivered a statement regarding the leadership opportunities available to students on campus, including opportunities in Student Government, Student Media and the Center for Student Leadership, Ethics and Public Service.
“There aren’t as many students from diverse backgrounds taking advantage of these opportunities,” Jackson said.
Toni Thorpe, the program coordinator of the African American Cultural Center better known to students as “Mama Thorpe,” echoed Jackson’s encouragement for attendees to get involved.
“You have heard the call of the community in your heart and your head,” Thorpe said. “Govern yourself accordingly.”
During the event, African-American student leaders were asked to get on stage and introduce themselves after which all first-time attendees were encouraged to stand and introduce themselves.
“We welcome everyone,” Harris said. “Don’t be afraid to come here and take your shoes off.”
Toward the end of the evening, all attendees stood and held hands in a large circle. Lifting their arms as they chanted, participants yelled “Harambee” seven times holding the final yell for as long as possible to symbolize that “we will work until we are exhausted,” according to Thorpe.
Thorpe, who will complete 25 years working at NC State in November and 14 years with the African American Cultural Center, is responsible for having coined the event “Harambee.”
“I wanted it to have a name that embodied the mission of the center but also represented the NC State community,” Thorpe said. “Harambee has an Afrocentric foundation and a Wolfpack foundation.”
The program was designed to be Afrocentric, and for this reason, throughout the evening, attendees practiced a form of applause which had a particular rhythm in order to exchange the energy of those clapping to those whom receive the applause, according to Harris.
While a majority of students were African-American, several participants spoke of the importance of being an inclusive community.
“Harambee is open to everyone, not just African-American students,” said Shealynn Womble, a senior studying middle grades and language arts and a four-year attendee. “It’s a welcome to everyone with a taste for African culture.”
The event opened with a call of drums played by Carlos McClaney, a senior studying technology, design and engineering education; Ade Adesina, a sophomore studying communication; and Kevin Ohuoba, a sophomore studying accounting.
Matthew Wright, a sophomore studying graphic design, later sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a song he said has often been dubbed as the “Negro National Anthem.”
While Harambee is largely an event sponsored to encourage students to become familiar with the African American Cultural Center, many in attendance agreed the event has come to mean much more to their community.
“Harambee is very important because it builds a sense of belonging, consistency, support, awareness and involvement in our community,” Womble said.
African American student leaders of organizations under the African American Student Advisory Council introduce themselves at Harambee at Sankofa room, Witherspoon on September First 2015. Harambee is an annual social gathring that welcomes and celebrates all the members of the community.
