Ohio State gears up for African American Heritage Festival

COLUMBUS – From a town hall meeting on issues affecting African Americans to a guided tour of Underground Railroad landmarks, the African American Heritage Festival returns to The Ohio State University in May, bringing new events to campus along with some traditional activities.

The 24th annual Heritage Festival, themed “It Takes An Entire Village: Fahari (Pride),” runs from May 13 to 19.

Clarice Ford, chair of the Heritage Festival program committee, said fahari, which means pride in Swahili.

“The theme sends many messages about the importance of the Heritage Festival,” Ford said. “The university, the city of Columbus and the corporate community have built a partnership that clearly exhibits ‘pride’ in making this festival a safe and enjoyable event.”

This year’s Heritage Festival features many new events, such as a Town Square Meeting, facilitated by noted psychologist and Florida State faculty member Na’im Akbar, to discuss issues facing African Americans today; an Underground Railroad Tour, which is a guided tour of some of Central Ohio’s important landmarks; and the Jesse Owens Anniversary Celebration that honors the 25 years since opening the recreational complex.

Ford said the week-long festival offers something for everyone.

“The Heritage Festival is the premier event for African American college students across the Midwest,” Ford said. “It draws visitors from across the United States to the Ohio State University and the city of Columbus. The celebration of African Americans during the Heritage Festival is a great opportunity for people of all walks of life to learn more about the culture.”

This year marks the first time the Komen Columbus Race for the Cure, a fundraiser for breast cancer prevention and research, is being held on Ohio State’s campus as a part of the festival.

According to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, breast cancer is the most common cancer for African American women and the second-leading cause of death among African American women.

Sarah Irvin, the media director for the Columbus race, said it is important for the university to host this event during the Heritage Festival.

“We are so happy Ohio State is involved with this event,” Irvin said. “The university has helped us make the race, which is in its 10th year, even bigger than before. More than 75 percent of the money raised stays in Central Ohio and helps the underserved members of the community.”

The Heritage Festival also will offer many traditional events.

Leah Stone, a senior in marketing and international business and marketing chair for the festival, said festival organizers thought that hosting traditional events was important to maintain the essence of the festival. Among the events returning to this year’s Heritage Festival are: the Poetry Slam; the 15th annual Pan-Hellenic Black Greek Step Show, which has been moved to the Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center; the “Rock the Mike” dance parties; and On the Town Square, which is a Saturday event for families that features food and merchandise vendors and cultural entertainment.

Stone said the purpose of the festival is to create a campus of inclusion where people respect themselves and others.

“The goal of the festival is to educate the public on issues prevalent in the African American community,” Stone said. “I think it is valuable when people come together to take part in events so they can learn more about the African American culture.”

A complete list of Heritage Festival events is available at osuheritagefestival.com

MONDAY, MAY 13

·Jesse Owens Anniversary Celebration
4 to 6 p.m. at the Jesse Owens Recreation Center North, 2151 Neil Ave. Free and open to the public.

·Town Square Meeting
7 to 9 p.m. in the Fawcett Center Auditorium, 2400 Olentangy River Road. Free and open to the public.

TUESDAY, MAY 14

·Poetry Slam
7 to 9 p.m. in Independence Hall, 1923 Neil Ave. Students and the members of the community are invited to read original poetry. Free and open to the public.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

·Underground Railroad Tour
2 to 5 p.m, Leaves from and returns to the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. Admission is $1 and open to the public. Call (614) 688-8449 to reserve seating on the buses.

·Soul Time at the Hitchcock
7 to 9 p.m. in Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Ave. The union of soul music and karaoke will be introduced to the Ohio State campus. Free and open to the public.

FRIDAY, MAY 17

·The 15th annual Pan-Hellenic Black Greek Step Show
7 p.m. at the Jerome Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Drive. Admission is $12. Tickets may be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, including ticketmaster.com, or by calling (614) 431-3600 or 1-800-GO-BUCKS.

·“Rock the Mike” (Part I)
10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the French Fieldhouse, 460 Woody Hayes Drive. Admission to the dance is free but restricted to guests 18 and older.

SATURDAY, MAY 18

·Komen Columbus Race for the Cure
8 a.m. to noon at the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road. For registration information, call (614) 297-8155 or see www.columbusraceforthecure.org.

·On The Town Square

9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Ohio State’s Oval.

·“Rock the Mike” (Part II)
10 p.m. to 2 a.m., French Fieldhouse, 460 Woody Hayes Drive. Admission is free but restricted to guests 18 and older.

SUNDAY, MAY 19

·Community Cleanup
Noon to 3 p.m. throughout the campus area.

·Campus Cookout
Noon to 4 p.m., Ohio State’s Oval. Free and open to the public.