Afrikan Heritage Month Kicks Off With Stirring Program of Dance, Speakers and More

On February 5, Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) kicked off Afrikan Heritage Month (AHM) with a high-energy program of speakers and spoken word, as well as modern and traditional African dance, drumming, stepping and choral pieces.

The performances featured students from Channelview High School, the Professional Pathways High School and the Learning Tree Cultural Preparatory School. The program took place at BMCC’s Chamber Street campus and ended with a lavish hot buffet luncheon on tables that lined the walkway.

As community members gathered in the open lobby, the rising energy attracted passers-by who sensed something big was in the works. Members of BMCC’s Urban Male Leadership Academy (UMLA) in their BMCC-blue, UMLA sweatshirts handed out flyers and welcomed students, faculty and staff to join the festivities.

BMCC alumna Sakeena Mason and her friend Donna Cooper arrived early for front-row seats to watch dance performances by their 11-year-old daughters, both students at the Learning Tree. “They’re excited, they never performed in public before,” said Ms. Cooper.

It was Nursing Professor Pearlette Martin’s first time attending the AHM opening event, as well. “BMCC is a college of diversity,” she said. “This is important. Each of us needs to respect the other’s culture.”

Drum beats by student performers rose quietly as UMLA Director, Dr. Ashtian Holmes took the podium to kick off the speaker and performance programs.

“I’ve been around for many Afrikan Heritage Month opening ceremonies,” he said. “I believe this is one of the most critical times that we have ever faced.”

“There are real and imminent threats to our history, to our culture, to our power and to our education,” said Dr. Holmes. “It’s more important than ever that we celebrate, that we acknowledge, that we study, that we teach, that we understand our own history, our own power, our own strength, where we come from and most importantly, where we are going.”

Professor James Blake, introduced by Dr. Holmes as “the heart and soul of Afrikan Heritage Month at BMCC,” spoke next.

Professor Blake said that while the theme of Afrikan Heritage Month is “Information and Inspiration,” he would add two other words—“Education” and “Liberation.”

“We have a struggle ahead of us, but we’re not strangers to struggle. We are strong, we are resilient, and we persevere,” said Professor Blake. “There was a time it was against the law to teach Black people how to read. But look at us now. Look at you—you’re in college. You’re learning to be critical readers and will take those skills and be the kind of people we need to build a positive society.”

The audience broke into applause and shouts of affirmation as Professor Blake closed out his comments: “We are not going back. We’re going forward.”

Student Government Association (SGA) President Osairoh Eghiyo-Esere spoke next.

“Your experiences are what differentiates you from others,” he told fellow students in the audience. “What you do with those experiences will make you the best you can be.”

BMCC President, Dr. Anthony E. Munroe closed out the speaker program.

“As we reflect on the deep origins of African history, we recognize that it transcends borders and is woven into the very fabric of global civilization,” said Dr. Munroe.

“From the ancient kingdoms of Mali and Ghana to the vibrant cultures of the Caribbean and the Americas, the contributions of African people have shaped our societies, our arts, our sciences and our identities. This month presents us with the opportunity to celebrate the vast diversity of African heritage, acknowledging not just the past but also the ongoing narrative that impacts us today.”

By the time the speaker program was complete, tables encircling the performance area had filled and it was standing room only, behind them.

The Channel View High School choral group, about 25 students all dressed in black, quietly took the stage and opened with the much-loved Rihanna song, “Diamonds.” As they launched into an upbeat version of “We Are Family,” the R&B classic by Sister Sledge, the audience rose, clapping along and singing.

Next up, the Channel View dancers commanded the stage with traditional African dance, and the Channel View Steppers took things up a notch with a precision-centered and heart-filled performance.

Professor Blake introduced Dr. Tabetha Mack, a seasoned New York State licensed mental health counselor who specializes in African psychology, multicultural counseling and more—and who delivered an enthusiastically received Hip Hop/Rap performance that urged the audience to “never forget your ancestors.”

Up next, students from the Learning Tree Cultural Center delivered a dance performance to the upbeat Michael Jackson hit “Black or White,” then the Pathway High School students in their red, yellow and green T-shirts—colors that honor the Pan-African liberation movement—treated the audience to a sophisticated modern dance performance.

The program closed out with the Learning Tree’s African dance troupe featuring over 15 young women in traditional, geometric-patterned skirts. The finale to the day’s performances was led by over 25 drummers, young men whose energetic hand-hit and stick drumming had the audience on their feet.

By the time Dr. Holmes thanked the afternoon’s performers and acknowledged the Afrikan Heritage Month planning committee, the aroma of a hot buffet luncheon was turning heads, and performers, speakers and audience members came together for a feast and menu reminiscent of the Afrikan diaspora.

The Afrikan Heritage Month committee included Md Asfi Raihan, Yuleisy Audain, Azeez O. Alimi, James Blake, Abdul Boite, Horace Brockington, Kimberly Castro, Crystal Cunningham, Robert Earl, John Fields, DeRoy C. Gordon, Marc Henry Louis, Jose Hernandez, Michelle Hernandez, Stephen Hoggard, Daniel Katz, Tabethah S. Mack-Ouattara, Isa Mitchell, Celiany Rivera, Genesis Rubio, Iona Samuels, Valerie Small, Abel Tshimini, Julio Vaca and Ella A. Williams.

To view the entire month of Afrikan Heritage Month events, visit here.