Wellesley Celebrates Black History Month with a Variety of Events
Since 1970, Harambee House at Wellesley has provided students of African descent a space to study, explore their cultural heritage, connect with others who share similar backgrounds, and offer resources about Black heritage. This month, Harambee (Swahili for “working together”) will anchor Wellesley’s celebration of Black History Month.
Harambee House grew out of an effort, started in 1968, by the student group Ethos to establish a center for Black students. “When Wellesley College tells its story, students of African descent of the late 1960s should be acknowledged for their transformative acts that continue to shape this community some 50 years later,” said Tracey Cameron, assistant dean of intercultural education, director of Harambee House, and advisor to students of African descent.
Today, Harambee is home to six student organizations: Ethos, a support group for women of African descent; the Minority Organization of Pre-Medical students (MAPS); the Wellesley African Students Association (WASA); Women for Caribbean Development (WCD); Black Women’s Ministry; and blackOUT, which serves students of African descent who identify as LGBT or QIA.
Harambee House, said Cameron, is “a symbol of resistance, mobilization, change, and social justice. We serve as an educational space that supports the mission of the institution by providing opportunities for the campus as a whole to learn about the history and culture of people of African descent. Harambee House is Black history. It is Wellesley’s history.”
Black History Month Events on Campus
February 1
Stand Up, Speak Out: On Our African Identities
Multifath Center, 6 pm
Sponsor: Wellesley African Students Association (WASA)
February 1
Black Artists: A Year In Review
Pub, 10 pm
February 2
Intercollegiate African Students Roundtables
Alumnae Ballroom, 7 pm
Sponsor: WASA
February 3
WASA and Film Society Screenings
Collins Cinema, 7 pm and 9:30 pm
February 4
Open WASA General Meeting
Harambee House, 7 pm
February 5
Teff Theory: Art Exhibit and Q&A with Stephanie Nnamani
Tishman Commons, 7 pm
Sponsor: WASA
February 6
WASA and Yanvalou Present West African Drumming and Dance with Joh Camara
Tishman Commons, drumming at 5:30 pm and dance at 6:30 pm
February 7
Intro to Afro-Spinning
Keohane Sports Center 150A, 5 pm
Sponsor: WASA
February 9
Get Out and Talkback with Dr. Kellie Carter Jackson and The Color of Friendship
Film Screenings
Collins Cinema, 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm (respectively)
Sponsors: The Film Society and Harambee House
(Ticket required)
February 10
The Color of Friendship and Get Out
Film Screenings
Collins Cinema, 7 pm and 9:30 pm (respectively)
Sponsors: The Film Society and Harambee House
(Ticket required)
February 11
Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities
Screening and Discussion
Collins Cinema, 3 pm
(Ticket required)
February 17
Black Panther Private Screening
Location TBA1:30 pm
(Ticket required)
February 18
Taste of the Diaspora and Showcase
Tishman, 5 pm
February 20
Ethos’ Quintessence Day with Jamilah Lemieux
Harambee House, 4:30 pm
February 21
Public Tour: Art of Africa and the African Diaspora at Wellesley
The Davis Museum, 12:30 pm
February 22
Ori Inu Screening
Location TBA, 6 pm
February 24
Wellesley for Caribbean Development Expo
Tishman Commons, 5 pm
February 26
Ethos 50th Anniversary Exhibit Opening Reception
Location TBA, 6 pm
February 27
Afrofuturism, Divine Feminism, and Creating a New Future Now
Black History Month Lecture with Ytasha Womack
Harambee House, 4:30 pm
February 28
Black History Month Read-In featuring
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Harambee House, 6 pm
Photo: Glen McNatt and his English 228 (Black Literature in America) class in Harambee House. April 1973.
