African American Heritage Festival kicks off May 1

COLUMBUS -- The 27th Annual African American Heritage Festival (AAHF) will be celebrated May 1 through 7 on The Ohio State University campus. The theme for the 2005 celebration is “Kisima: Healing the Mind, Body and Soul.” Kisima means “well” in Swahili.

Jimmi Nicholson, program director for African American Student Services in the Ohio State Multicultural Center, said student organizers are collaborating with The Soul Flower Group Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization that focuses on health issues prevalent in the African American and Latino communities.

“The goal of the Heritage Festival is to engage the university community in a celebration of African American heritage and culture,” Nicholson said. “We hope to build an even stronger community by offering programs that bring greater awareness to the long-term benefits of mental and physical wellness.”

The official kickoff is 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday (5/1) on the west lawn of the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. An opening ceremony, games and entertainment, and the annual Tri-Black Student Association (Tri-BSA) cookout are included in the afternoon festivities.

Diabetes is the focus of the Town Hall Forum that will be presented in a “Hollywood Squares” game-show format at 7 p.m. on Monday (5/2) at Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Ave. Actor Flex Alexander from the UPN hit television show “One on One” will host the event. Ohio State health professionals and students will lead a discussion about the disease that according to the American Diabetes Association affects 11.4 percent of African Americans and 8.2 percent of Latino Americans aged 20 or older.

Student chair Adison McNeill said feedback from a recent assessment of Ohio State African American male students identified the Heritage Festival as one of the most important events on campus that celebrates African American culture.

“We hope as many students as possible have an opportunity to experience the Heritage Festival and contribute to its rich legacy,” McNeill said.

The weekday schedule also includes a Poetry Slam (5/3), Soul Time at OSU with host comedian Dante Carter (5/4) and a Gospel Music Fest (5/5).

The 18th Annual Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show and After-party are from 7 to 11:30 p.m. Friday (5/6) in Value City Arena at The Jerome Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Dr. Comedian Gary Owen, a frequent guest on Black Entertainment Television’s “Comicview” and Comedy Central will host. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 the day of the show, and are available at the Schottenstein Center ticket office and Ticketmaster outlets.

The last day of celebration will begin with a fitness run/walk, a health fair and community marketplace from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (5/7) at Beekman Park, 1999 W. Lane Ave.

Mahogany Moments, a semiformal dance and dinner for Ohio State students and their guests, is 7 p.m. Saturday at the Confluence Park Restaurant, 679 W. Spring St. Tickets with a BuckID are $10 per person and $15 a pair, and available at the Multicultural Center in the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St.

The entire AAHF schedule follows. Most events are free and open to the public. Non-perishable food items will be collected to assist the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.

Wednesday (4/13) through Saturday (4/16)
•African American Heritage Festival History in the Making, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Exposures Art Gallery, Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. An exhibit showcasing the history of the Heritage Festival through student art work, pictures, posters and articles is on display.

Sunday, May 1
•AAHF Kickoff and Tri-BSA Cookout, 2 to 5 p.m., west lawn of the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. Following the opening ceremony, the official launch of the 2005 AAHF will include a cookout, interactive games and a variety of entertainment.

Monday, May 2
•Town Hall Forum “Hollywood Squares” Style, 7 to 10 p.m., Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Ave. Diabetes is the topic of this year’s Town Hall Forum, hosted by actor Flex Alexander of UPN’s hit television show “One on One.” Ohio State health professionals and students will lead a discussion on the prevention, symptoms and treatment of the disease in a game-show format.

Tuesday, May 3
•Ohio State/Columbus Reads, 9 a.m. to noon, East Linden Elementary School, 2500 Perdue Rd. Ohio State students will read books, poems and other literary forms of expression to local elementary school children.

•Poetry Slam, 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., Independence Hall, 1923 Neil Ave. The creative expression of Spoken Word Poetry and smooth jazz will fill the evening with prizes awarded to the best student talents. Sherrill Lamb, a local spoken word artist, will host the event with music provided by DJ Lo Key.

Wednesday, May 4
•Soul Time at OSU, 7 to 10 p.m., Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Ave. A hit since its inception four years ago, Soul Time showcases Ohio State students in song, dance and instrumental performance in a competitive three-round format. Comedian Dante Carter will host with music provided by DJ Lo-Key.

Thursday, May 5
•Ohio State/Columbus Reads, 9 a.m. to noon, Hubbard Elementary School, 104 W. Hubbard St. Ohio State students will read books, poems and other literary forms of expression to local elementary school children.

• Beauty and Barbershop Days, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Hale Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave. A licensed barber, hairstylist and nail technician will offer personal care services to students at discounted fees.

•U.S. Army “Stomping on the Yard” Show, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wexner Plaza, 1871 N. High St. Students can participate in a Greek party walk competition and make their own military dog tags.

•Gospel Music Fest, 7 to 10 p.m., Ohio Union Conference Theater, 1739 N.
High St. Gospel music will be enjoyed with performances by a variety of regional and local choirs.

Friday, May 6
•Ohio State/Columbus Reads, 9 a.m. to noon, Hale Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave. Ohio State students will read books, poems and other literary forms of expression to local elementary school children.

•18th Annual Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show and After-Party, 7 to 11:30 p.m., Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Dr. Hosted by one of the hottest talents on the comedy trail Gary Owen, 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 $12 in advance and $15 the day of the show and are available at the Schottenstein Center Ticket Office and Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets also can be ordered by phone at 1-(800)-Go-Bucks or (614) 431-3600 and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Doors will open at 6 p.m.

Saturday, May 7
•The Medicine Tree, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Beekman Park, 1999 W. Lane Ave. The medicine tree will include wellness advocates and art, music and food vendors that promote holistic living. A fitness run/walk and a three-on-three basketball tournament also are planned. For registration information, contact Graduate Associate Morris Thomas at (614) 688-8449.

•Mahogany Moments Semiformal Dance and Dinner, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., Confluence Park Restaurant, 679 W. Spring St. The university community is invited to help close the African American Heritage Festival in style. Tickets with a BuckID are $10 per person and $15 a pair, and are available at the Multicultural Center in the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. Traditional African or semiformal dress attire is preferred.