On Feb. 2, students and faculty of the Umoja community came together in the Performing Arts Center to support students coming from various high schools for the Black History Month conference.
This event was Umoja’s first of the semester, but for coordinator Sha’ron Bradley, this was the last event she would direct. “We only find people that are engaging to the audience and someone who is not afraid to share and teach our culture,” Bradley said, explaining why she wants her last event to really count.
Faculty welcomed students at booths with information about the Umoja club and several other resources for incoming students and future Renegades. Educational advisor Chase Amos, who was positioned at the welcome booths stated, “We want our students to thrive and succeed.”
Umoja Club President Jordyn Davis and Vice President Najayla Jenkins Griffin opened the event by teaching new students the meaning of the word Umoja: unity. They also shed some light on their values: love, intention and direction and manifestation.
Dr. Paula Parks started off by remembering and acknowledging the ancestors before presenting Interim President Steven Watkin. Watkin followed by introducing speaker Brian E. Sibley to discuss wealth from an internal perspective, as well as teaching students the importance of unity. “You either conform or stand out. I grew up not having much and being in a position like that forces you to have one of two mindsets: a growth or a fixed mindset. I chose growth,” stated Sibley.
Nigerian drummers and dancers were also present, and they performed for the audience. They thanked everyone for allowing them to share their music to celebrate Black History Month. By the end of the performance, the drummers invited over 20 students to join the stage to dance and play with them.
A panel consisting of four speakers discussed the ethics of business management. Lwanga Yonké, an Umoja member from Cameroon, said, “I enjoyed this as an African, I loved watching the students embrace their African heritage and dance.”
After the event, Dr. Parks left the audience with these words, “These are a great group of students to work with and guide, it’s all just joy and satisfaction.” She commended everyone that was committed to this event, mirroring love, which is one of the first valued archetypes of Umoja.
