VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
M A K U U
101
SESSION END—WINTER 2008
UMOJA 2008: CELEBRATING TEN YEARS OF UNITY
On Thursday, December 4th, the Makuu Black Cultural Center held the annual Kwanzaa Karamu dinner in Bodek Lounge and celebrated a great milestone, the ten year anniversary of UMOJA, Penn’s governing umbrella group of the black student organizations. The current body is the third iteration of the group UMOJA. The first group was convened in 1992 by Brian Peterson, SEAS ’93, MSD ’97 and Kimani Toussaint, SAS ’96 with the goal of unifying the Black organizations on campus under a common calendar, agenda, and political voice. A campus wide group did not congeal at that time, and in 1995 under the direction of Black Student League leadership Cardell Orrin, SEAS ’97 and Obinna Adibe, SAS ‘97, a loose group of about one quarter of the black organizations on campus began to come together. This group was primarily politically focused and met loosely for two years. Finally, in the spring of 1997, BSL leadership Rasool Berry and Curtis Redding called for another campus-wide unification of the black activity groups. As with any organization, UMOJA has changed over the past ten years. Kwanzaa guest and former UMOJA chair Jerome Wright, SAS ‘07 offered that “[I think] the longevity of Umoja lies fundamentally Current Vice Provost of Equity and in its mission. There will always be Access and former University a need for a space for organizing, Chaplain Will Gipson introduced advocacy and leadership developRasool Berry and Curtis Redding, ment. This is a tremendous orboth Class of 1999 graduates, ganization, the potential of which and offered them thanks and has yet to be seen. I hope that gratitude for the student leadereach year Umoja continues to ship and continued support as evolve and implement its vital alumni. They were then presented mission on Penn's campus.” with plaques for their work by the current UMOJA board. With the support of University administration and a commitment of student accountability, UMOJA held its first meeting as an organized group in the fall of 1998.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
ROLL CALL
2
UMOJA UPDATE
3
SPRING 2009 CALENDAR
4
MAKUU UPDATE
The Makuu Black Cultural Center had an adventurous semester. Shortly after assisting UMOJA in the Welcome To The Neighborhood Fair on the College Green the first week of classes, we collaborated with fellow cultural center La Casa Latina for our annual Open House on September 17th. The event featured stilt walkers, drummers, dancers and an amazing assortment of food that was appreciated by students, faculty and staff alike! of local alumni and Onyx Senior Honor Society members, who mentor first year students and introduce them to the city and the campus. Many thanks to the alumni that so graciously heeded the call for mentorship! Student feedback has been tremendous and we look forward to second semester. Pre-presidential election, the Center was a place of much debate and speculation. Postelection, it was a place of celebration and further debate! In addition, Dr. Shaun Harper continued to convene a group of black male students for thoughtful conversation in the ARCH throughout the semester. Alumni support is always welcome at the Makuu Black Cultural Center. If you or your company are interested in learning more about Makuu, feel free to contact our director, Karlene Burrell-McRae. Otherwise, stay tuned at http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/makuu/ index.html.
Makuu re-launched the Paul Robeson Leadership and Mentoring Program with the support Makuu hosted two Chat & Chew events with Dr. Herman Beavers and Dr. Barbara Savage.
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
Page 2
ROLL CALL!
Scholar Spotlight: Hayling Price is a senior in the College from New Rochelle, NY majoring in Urban Studies with a double minor in Africana Studies and Sociology. During his first two years at Penn he served on the Undergraduate Assembly, where he leveraged this role to spearhead a Workers’ Rights campaign on campus. Since then, he cofounded the Penn Student Labor Action Project and continues to lead the group as an organizer and liaison between university administrators and workers. Hayling is also a mentor and seminar instructor at the Ase Saturday Academy, an academic and cultural enrichment program for local secondary students. In the fall of 2007 he attended the University of Ghana-Legon, where he studied international political economy and researched the politics of economic development. After returning to the States, Hayling was awarded the prestigious Truman Scholarship, a distinction given to U.S. college juniors who have demonstrated leadership potential and a commitment to public service. Currently he is writing his senior thesis, which aims to examine and critique urban revitalization processes using Harlem, NY as a case study. In his spare time, he produces and records music independently and was the keyboardist for Penn’s only hip-hop/soul band, Like Mindz. He is also a member of the Onyx and Sphinx senior honor societies. After graduation, Hayling hopes to work for a year or two before pursuing a joint J.D./M.P.A. degree. Student government reporting: This past semester I have served as the College Representative on Class Board. Minorities, African-Americans in particular, are underrepresented in student government so participating has meant more than personal fulfillment. I treat the role as an extension of my representation of the community. I hope that other undergraduates do the same and step up to affect the decisions that make our experience at Penn meaningful. Best, Marcus Goodwin, 2011
A Word from the President: Greetings! My name is Arthur Gardner Smith, and I am serving as the President of the Class of 2010. As a minority in student government, its important that our voices are heard too. I am so appreciative and humbled by the opportunity to serve my constituents in this capacity. Currently, the Junior Class Executive Board is preparing to host our annual "Junior Class Career Panel" to give students a heads up on career opportunities that are available for them. If you are interested in having your company participate on this panel, please contact me as soon as possible via email at smithag@wharton.upenn.edu. More to come!
Fall 2008 Inductees: Danielle Branch, Political Science Geneva Campbell, English and French Ina Cox, Philosophy, Politics, & Economics Blanchard Diavua, History Moses Esema, Management and Global Analysis Olajumoke Falusi, Finance and Management Abdi Farah, Fine Arts Jaryn Fields, History Feyisayo Gbadebo-Smith, Philosophy, Politics, & Economics and African Studies Lauren Vick, English and Cognitive Neuroscience Nikita Hamilton, Communications and Psychology Kathleen Isaac, Psychology Elizabeth Mongol-Gunter, Biology Brooke Pinnix, Marketing Asantewaa Poku, Health and Societies Chelsea Townes, Health and Societies
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
UMOJA UPDATE
Page 3
UMOJA Week 2008 was a great success! Thanks to all Alumni who participated and assisted in our events!
Monday: December 1st World Aids Day Discussion: “Let’s Talk About Sex: The Reality of HIV/AIDS on College Campuses” featuring William Brawner of the Haven Youth Center Hosted by the Ujima cohort and Co-Sponsored by the LGBT Center and F.L.A.S.H. Tuesday, December 2nd Networking Etiquette Workshop Hosted by the Nia cohort and Co-Sponsored by UBS, Cipactli Senior Honor Society and Oracle Senior Honor Society Wednesday, December 3rd UMOJA Fun Day at the A.R.C.H. Hosted by the Kujichagulia cohort and Drew Elementary School UMOJA Group Updates: NAACP: Early in the semester, Penn NAACP continued its civic duty in registering voters and educating them about the importance of voting and being knowledgeable about election issues. In conjunction with Community Schools Students Partnerships and UPenn for Obama, Penn NAACP also held a voter education and registration drive at West Philly High School. At the school, the groups went to several classrooms throughout the day, presented each candidate’s platforms, engaged in political discourse with the students, and passed out registration forms for the students to pass out in their communities. Another event that Penn NAACP had this semester was a discussion on race relations within the University and the importance of cultural hubs. This discussion, prompted by a rebuttal article in the Daily Pennsylvanian Other event included political discussions for UMC week and an AIDS panel for UMOJA Week. Next semester, Penn NAACP will continue to challenge the lack of racial dialogue between various groups on campus. Events already in the works include an MLK symposium event, and a discussion with the Muslim Student Association and the Penn Arab Student Association in the spring. Penn NAACP will also continue their Spring Semester tradition of celebrating Black History Month and their annual arrive with 5 AIDS testing and Panel. The group is also working to establish a civics program at a Philadelphia school to keep students engaged in politics post-election. Coming events: 4A: The African American Arts Alliance is excited to announce its Spring production of "Diva Daughters Dupree" by Kim Euell! This is a thought provoking dramatic comedy about family relationships, cultural differences and interracial dating. Set in 1995, the DuPree sisters, Billie, Sarah and Abbey come back to their former home in Philadelphia, 10 years after their parents'. The sisters are spaced in age, experiences and family perspectives with different cultural attachments, which will cause friction. Abbey went to private schools. She married a Jewish man, a immigrant from Israel. Sarah, 35, a history professor, is not married but dates a graduate student. Billie, 40, was raised when the family was still struggling economically, and she married the boy next door. Their choice in lifestyles, jobs and husbands are the backdrop of much humor and drama. The play will be presented on February 20 and 21. Come out and support 4A! Please contact: Olajumoke Falusi or Brooke Pinnix.
UMOJA 2008 Nia (purpose):Black Wharton Undergraduate Association (BWUA), Minorities in Nursing (MNO), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Onyx Senior Honor Society Ujima (creative work and responsibility): Black Student League (BSL), Caribbean American Students Association (CASA), Dessalines Haitian Students Association (DHSA), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People-College Chapter (NAACP), Penn African Students Association (PASA) Kuumba (creativity): African-American Arts Alliance (4A), African Rhythms, Destination Hip-Hop (DH2), The Inspiration Imani (faith): Impact, New Spirit of Penn Gospel Choir (NSP) Kujichagulia (self determination): Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. *Fall 2008 inductees into UMOJA. Ujamaa (cooperative economics) : Groove Phi Groove*, The Little Black Book*, SPEC-trum, The Vision
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
Page 4
MAKUU/UMOJA ABBREVIATED FALL 2008 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JANUARY:
19th MLK Symposium -30th http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/ohe/mlk/calendar.php 27th CITIZEN KING SCREENING Terrance Room, Cohen Hall
Sponsored by Makuu and SPEC-trum
UMOJA Fall Retreat , September 20th
FEBRUARY: MARCH: APRIL:
20th AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTS ALLIANCE* -21st presents “Diva Daughters Dupree” 27th AFRICAN RHYTHMS SPRING SHOW* -28th 3rd -4th THE INSPIRATION SPRING SHOW* Class of ‘49, Houston Hall
28th Term End MAY: 16th MAKUU SENIOR CELEBRATION Terrace Room, Cohen Hall 17th BACCALAUREATE 18th GRADUATION
Makuu and La Casa Latina Open House
MAKUU: BLACK CULTURAL CENTER
Director, Karlene Burrell-McRae Associate Director, Daina A. Richie Office Coordinator, Constance Gordon UMOJA Fair on the Green, September 5th * Student performing arts schedules are subject to change. Please check the Makuu website for current information.
University of Pennsylvania The ARCH 3601 Locust Walk, First Floor Philadelphia, PA 19104-6224 Telephone: 215.573.0823 Fax: 215.746.0169 Web: www.vpul.upenn.edu/makuu E-mail: makuu@dolphin.upenn.edu