African American Heritage Festival starts Monday

COLUMBUS – The Ohio State University community is marking the 25th anniversary of the African American Heritage Festival this week (April 21-27) with programs that emphasize campus participation and education. “AHALI,” which means family in Swahili, is the festival theme.

Program highlights include a town hall meeting with Black Entertainment Television host Ed Gordon today (4/21) at 6 p.m. at the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St.; “Soul Time at the Hall” on Wednesday (4/23); the 16th Annual Pan-Hellenic Black Greek Step Show on Thursday (4/24); “Mahogany Moments,” a semi-formal dance and dinner on Saturday (4/26); and the “AHALI” Gospel Concert Celebration on Sunday (4/27).

Shameikia Smith, the festival historian, said this year’s celebration includes a mix of traditional and new activities.

“The heritage festival has not always been celebrated the way it is now,” Smith said. “The educational and cultural programs that go on throughout the week developed from what started out 25 years ago as just a block party at the Drake Union.

“Students have also played an important part in keeping the spirit of the festival alive. Very few people know that every event is organized by a student-based committee.”

Angela Woody, the 2003 program chair, said the festival programs will address a wide range of interests. The town hall meeting and “Soul Time at the Hall,” introduced last year, are back by popular demand.

“Last year, we received a lot of positive feedback from students and the Columbus community on the town hall meeting that was held,” Woody said. “People felt empowered and focused on the importance of the festival.”

“Soul Time,” a spin-off from the variety television show “Showtime at the Apollo Theatre,” returns and will feature performers in song, dance and theater at 7 p.m. Wednesday (4/23) at Independence Hall, 1923 Neil Ave.

A long-time event, attended last year by a record crowd of 4,000, is the Pan-Hellenic Black Greek Step Show that will mark its 16th year as part of the Heritage Festival.

“There is so much time and effort put into the choreography and costumes,” Woody said. “The Greeks practice for hours and it shows in their performances.”

Woody said the step show will be held at 7 p.m. at Mershon Auditorium, 1871 N. High St., and is encouraging students to purchase their tickets early. Tickets for the show and party afterward are $12 with a BUCK ID at the Wexner Center box office and $15 for the general public through Ticketmaster.

Saturday’s lineup of events is entirely new and highlighted by a semiformal dance and dinner for Ohio State students and their guests from 8 p.m. to midnight at The Blackwell Inn, 2110 Tuttle Park Place. Tickets are $15 per pair and $10 for a single and can be purchased at the Multicultural Center in the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St.

Following the traditional Tri-Black Student Association cookout Sunday afternoon at the
Ohio Union, the heritage festival will close officially with a return to its spiritual roots with the “AHALI” Community Gospel Concert at 4 p.m.

Belinda Higgs, the interim coordinator for African American Student Services, is marking her first year as the program director for the heritage festival.

“I have only been involved with the heritage festival for a few months but I’m really looking forward to the week,” Higgs said. “The students on the planning committees have worked tirelessly to make this anniversary celebration one to remember. I have been extremely impressed with their commitment, concern for the campus and university community in putting this week together.”

The complete African American Heritage Festival schedule follows. For more
information, contact the Ohio State Multicultural Center at (614) 688-8449 or log on to osuheritagefestival.com. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Monday, April 21

• Student Leadership Forum, 3 to 4 p.m., Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave. Led by Ed Gordon, host of “BET Tonight,” the forum will focus on networking and other competitive business strategies.

• Town Hall Meeting with Ed Gordon, 6 to 8 p.m., The Ohio Union Ballrooms, 1739 N. High St. Ed Gordon, host of “BET Tonight,” will lead a panel discussion on “The Changing Face of the Black Family: What have we done? What can we do?”

Tuesday, April 22

• Ohio State Reads, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave. Student volunteers will read to preschoolers enrolled in the Ohio State childcare network.

• Poetry Slam, 7 to 9 p.m., Independence Hall, 1923 Neil Ave. Hosted by guest poet Ed Mabrey, Ohio State students will express their own creativity through a mix of poetry and jazz.

Wednesday, April 23

• Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center Open House & Mixer, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 153 W. 12th Ave. Visit the Hale Cultural Center for information on the unique programming and services available to students throughout the year. A mixer will be held for faculty and students from 3 to 6 p.m.

• Soul Time at the Hall, 7 to 9 p.m., Independence Hall, 1923 Neil Ave. A hit last year, “Soul Time” will feature some of the best student talent in song, dance and music. Celebrity comedians “Bro’Man,” from the hit sitcom “Martin,” and “TALENT,” from “Showtime at the Apollo,” will host the event.

Thursday, April 24

• Ohio State Reads/Puppet Show, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave. Student volunteers will present a puppet show and read to preschoolers enrolled in the Ohio State childcare network.

• “Black Male Athletes vs. Non-Athletes,” 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., The Ohio Union Multicultural Center, 1739 N. High St. Lecturer Jessica Johnson will provide a history of the black male athlete.

• 16th Annual Pan-Hellenic Black Greek Step Show, 7 to 10:30 p.m., Mershon Auditorium, 1871 N. High St. Step Show After-Party, 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., The Ohio Union Ballrooms, 1739 N. High St. Tickets for the step show and dance are $12 for Ohio State students with a Buck ID at the Wexner Center Ticket Office and $15 for the general public through Ticketmaster. Individual tickets to the dance are $8 and will be sold at the door until midnight.

Friday, April 25

• Larkins Hall Open House, 11 a.m., 337 W. 17th Ave. Hops & Handles Three-on-Three Basketball Tournament, 2 to 5 p.m., Larkins Hall, 337 W. 17th Ave. The event features a three-point shoot-out, skills clinic, halftime games and prizes. Entry fee is $15 per team.

• Spring “Jump-Off Concert” and Dance, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., French Field House, 460 Woody Hayes Dr. Rain won’t cancel this party being held inside the French Field House. Roc-a-fella Records artists “Freeway,” “Beanie Sigel” and the “Entire State Property Crew,” and Curtis “DJ Wise” Brown headline the entertainment bill. Tickets are $10 (w/Buck ID) and $15 (General Admission) and available at the Multicultural Center and the Hale Black Cultural Center. Individual tickets to the dance are $5 and will be sold at the door.

Back packs and large bags will not be permitted. Small purses may be inspected. The event is restricted to guests 18 and older.

Saturday, April 26

• “OPERATION B.U.C.K.E.Y.E,” 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Multicultural Center at the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. Ohio State students will conduct an academic enrichment program for middle and high school students. Guest speaker Sharon Sutton, professor of architecture and urban design and planning at the University of Washington, will talk about creating safe spaces and living environments.

• The Art of Hip Hop; Volume I, 3 to 6 p.m., The Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave. A variety of artists will conduct a workshop designed to provide historical and cultural perspectives into the art of Hip Hop.

• Mahogany Moments, 8 p.m. to midnight, The Blackwell Inn, 2110 Tuttle Park Place. A semi-formal dinner dance exclusive to Ohio State students and their guests. Tickets are being sold at the Multicultural Center and are $15 per pair and $10 per individual (w/Buck ID).

Sunday, April 27

• Tri-BSA Cook-in and Barbecue, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., The Ohio Union East Ballroom, 1739 N. High St. A tradition, the Tri-BSA will host this year’s cookout with a cook-in at the Ohio Union.

• “AHALI” Gospel Concert Celebration, 4 to 6 p.m., The Ohio Union West Ballroom, 1739 N. High St. The 25th anniversary will close officially and spiritually with the Ohio State and Columbus gospel music communities in concert.

• Ohio Stater’s Inc., Underground Railroad Tour, 7 to 9 p.m., The Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. The history of the Underground Railroad and its connection to campus-area landmarks will be shared during the walking tour.