The purpose of Harambee House is to provide social, emotional, and academic support to students of African descent at Wellesley College. Additionally, Harambee House’s purpose is to provide enlightening cultural activities for the Wellesley College community, as well as provide educational, cultural and social activities for students, faculty and staff of African descent.

History

On May 31, 1969, the alumnae of Alpha Kappa Chi (AKX), the Wellesley classical society, voted closed their house and returned it to the College. The members of Ethos (developed in 1966) and the Administration began completing plans to convert AKX into the campus' Black Student Center, to be called Harambee House - Swahili for "working together. In September of 1970, Harambee House officially opened with the mission to (1) to provide a central location for the needs of Black students including studying, tutoring, and social events, while (2) serving as a cultural resource for Black heritage to enlighten the college community at large.

Harambee House remains an attractive space for students because it continues to be a comfortable and welcoming space, both physically and socially. “The House” features a beautiful living room, library, and reception area on the upper level, and a spacious, full kitchen, student organization office, and den are located on the lower level. Computer access is also available. Students are welcomed to enjoy the entire house for relaxation as well as social and academic events.

Reservations

The House can also be reserved for formal occasions. In the past, receptions for notable ETHOS Quintessence Day speakers like Queen Latifah, Maya Angelou, Angela Davis, Dominique Dawes, Naomi Tutu, and Derek Walcott have been held in Harambee House, to name only a few. Each fall, a First Year Retreat is held in the House for students of African descent new to the college. Kwanzaa is a yearly celebration that brings students together over great soul food and student performances that really bring the community together for the holidays. Various other retreats, workshops, study breaks, roundtables, and information sessions are created by the Harambee House Director, Assistant to the Director and student staff throughout the year. Since student and faculty organizations that support students of African descent, and all other Wellesley student and faculty organizations can also make reservations, Harambee House is both a bustling place of activity, and a warm ‘home away from home’ for everyone who visits.

Contact Us

One may call Harambee House at (781) 283-2133 on most weekdays from 9am - 4pm

Our street/mailing address is:

Harambee House
Wellesley College
106 Central Street
Wellesley, MA 02481

Please come by and see us!

Compiled with historical facts from the Ethos website

• Page maintained by: Carol Estridge
• Created on: March 7, 2008
• Last modified: March 7, 2008
• Page expires: December 31, 2009