African American Heritage Festival begins April 25
COLUMBUS – A campus kickoff celebration, a town hall forum that examines the impact of hip-hop culture and the return of many event favorites highlight the 2004 African American Heritage Festival (AAHF) April 25 through May 1 on The Ohio State University campus. The theme is “UHAMBO -- The Journey; Embracing our Past, Present and Future.”
Senior Greg Beasley is the student chair of the 26th anniversary planning committee. He said the committee developed a program that will provide people with a truer sense of the value in cultural diversity.
“We want the campus community to develop a greater sense of belonging while experiencing the journey,” Beasley said. “To do that, we all must recognize the significance of past events, acknowledge where we are now and think ahead to our future.”
Beasley added that the student committee chairs planned events that were consistent with the festival theme.
One example of an event that reflects the past, present and future is the community service project.
Previously a single-day event, the AAHF community service project will extend over three weeks beginning Monday (4/12). Non-perishable food and toiletry items will be collected throughout the campus and donated to various organizations in Columbus.
“The items we collect will go to Columbus Colony Elderly Care, representing our past, Faith Missions, the present, and the Safe Haven for needy children, our future,” he said.
The festival’s seven-day format also has changed this year. Events will begin on Sunday,
rather than Monday, bringing the festival to a close on Saturday (5/1).
Belinda Higgs, coordinator of African American Student Services in the Multicultural Center and the staff adviser for the AAHF, said the change provided an opportunity for students to plan a kickoff celebration for the campus community.
“Last year, our records indicated that attendance at events didn’t begin to build until midweek,” Higgs said. “The students hope to generate interest early with a welcoming event.”
The Kickoff Celebration begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday (4/25) with a campus march from Curl Drive to the Brown Amphitheatre on the South Oval. Following a brief program, the annual Tri-Black Student Associations cookout will begin at 3 p.m.
Judge Joe Brown, Fox Television courtroom personality, will preside over a town hall
forum at 7 p.m. on Monday (4/26) in the Ohio Union west ballroom, 1739 N. High St. “Hip-Hop on Trial: A Look at the Past, Present & Future: Has Hip-Hop Produced Positive Role Models?” will feature Brown in a mock trial setting.
Mahogany Moments, a semiformal dinner-dance, was new to the Heritage Festival last year and returns with a twist. Instead of formal wear, faculty, staff and students are encouraged to wear traditional African clothing or accessories. The dance will be held at 8 p.m. on Thursday (4/29) at The Blackwell, 2110 Tuttle Park Place. Tickets are available for purchase at the Multicultural Center in the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. Individual tickets are $10, and $15 for two.
Event favorites such as the Poetry Slam, Soul Time, and the Black Greek Step Show also will return.
A complete list of events follows. For additional information, contact African American Student Services at (614) 688-8449.
Monday, April 12 to Saturday, May 1
• Community Service Project: Non-perishable food and toiletry items will be collected throughout the campus and donated to various organizations in Columbus. Items collected will go to Columbus Colony Elderly Care, Faith Mission and Safe Haven for needy children.
Sunday, April 25
• Kickoff Celebration & Tri-BSA Cookout
1 to 7 p.m., South Oval
The kickoff celebration begins with a “Journey” from Curl Drive to the Browning Amphitheater where cultural dancers, student organizations and the East High School Marching Band will be featured. The university community is invited to stay for the free food and games that are a part of the annual Tri-BSA Cookout at 3 p.m. on the South Oval.
Monday, April 26
• Student Leadership Forum
4 to 5 p.m., Hale Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave.
Judge Joe Brown, Fox Television courtroom personality, will conduct a leadership forum on the importance of positive role models, professional networking and competitive business strategies.
• Town Hall Forum with Judge Joe Brown - “Hip-Hop on Trial: A Look at the Past, Present & Future: Has Hip-Hop Produced Positive Role Models?”
7 to 9 p.m., Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St.
Judge Brown will preside over a mock trial that examines the impact of hip-hop music and culture. “DJ Wise” will spin hip-hop classics as an introduction to this riveting, educational discussion. A verdict will be rendered.
Tuesday, April 27
• Columbus/Ohio State Reads Program
9 to 11 a.m., East Linden Elementary, 2500 Perdue Road
9 to 11 a.m., Hubbard Avenue Elementary, 104 W. Hubbard St.
Reading represents the foundation for learning. To encourage Columbus school-age children, Ohio State student volunteers will visit local elementary schools to read and interpret cultural stories.
• Poetry Slam
7 to 9:30 p.m., Independence Hall, 1923 Neil Ave.
Hosted by guest poet Leroy Thornton, Ohio State students will exhibit their own creativity through a unique blend of Spoken Word Poetry and jazz. Prizes will be awarded.
Wednesday, April 28
• Soul Time at OSU
7 to 10 p.m., Independence Hall, 1923 Neil Ave.
Hosted by Black Entertainment Television (BET) comic “Talent,” the third annual event will showcase student talent in the areas of song, dance and instrumental performance in a competitive two-round format. Prizes will be awarded. “BPhlat,” from BET’s Comic View and Comedy Central, also will perform.
Thursday, April 29
• Columbus/Ohio State Reads Program
9 to 11 a.m., Hubbard Elementary School, 104 W. Hubbard St.
• Beauty and Barbershop Day*
11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Hale Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave.
Students will have the perfect opportunity to have their hair styled and nails polished before an evening at Mahogany Moments. The Association of Black Leaders for Entrepreneurship will sponsor professionals from minority-owned barbershops and hair and nail salons to provide personal care services at discounted rates.
-Hair must be shampooed before services are rendered.
• Mahogany Moments
8 p.m. to Midnight, The Blackwell, 2110 Tuttle Park Place.
African dress attire is requested at this dinner-dance for Ohio State University staff, students and faculty. Tickets with a BuckID are $10 per person and $15 per pair, and are available at the Multicultural Center in the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St.
Friday, April 30
• Columbus/OSU Reads Program
9:30 a.m. to Noon, Hale Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave.
Student volunteers will read cultural stories and engage in learning activities with kindergarten and first-grade students from university-area public schools.
• 17th Annual Pan-Hellenic Black Greek Step Show
7 to 10:30 p.m., Mershon Auditorium, 1871 N. High St.
A sellout last year, Ohio State African American fraternities and sororities will exhibit their creativity and stepping prowess through one of the oldest traditions of African dance. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and are $12 in advance and $15 the day of the show. Doors will open at 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 1
• Saturday at the Park
11 a.m. to 5 p.m., West Campus
The day will be full of great events such as the Off-Campus Black Student Association cookout and a basketball tournament sponsored by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. A market place, featuring food, music and art, and a health fair with free screenings are a part of the day’s activities.
• The Official Heritage Festival Finale & After Party - “The Springfest Jam”
8 p.m. to 1 a.m., Newport Music Hall, 1722 N. High St.
The event finale of the 2004 AAHF will feature hip-hop artists Cam’ Ron and the DIPLOMATS with Juelz Santana and Jim Jones. Ticket are $10 for Ohio State students with a valid BuckID and will go on sale April 5 in the Multicultural Center at the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. Tickets will be available to the general public after April 16.
