Sometimes called America’s second Independence Day, Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19 and, this year, marks 160 years since the arrival of Union troops in Galveston, Texas, to announce that enslaved people were free. The day was first recognized as a national holiday in 2021 and is one of eight
As Faruq Adger sits at the dining room table with his father, they look at photos that span not just generations, but more than a century.
“Pictures are very valuable in our family,” said the 22-year-old while holding several photos.
Photos help the Adger family tell their story, which has
On April 7, Penn Makuu: The Black Cultural Center held a conversation celebrating its 25th anniversary. Hosted at the Arts, Research and Culture House, the event brought together about 30 Penn students and community members to focus on Makuu’s place and history at Penn. The event featured a moderated conversation
Penn’s organization for Black student life on campus has provided outreach, collaboration, and unity since 1998. UMOJA, an umbrella organization for Black student life on campus, celebrates its 25th anniversary this academic year. The group’s primary role is collaboration and advocacy, says Shannon Brooks, a third-year student from New York
Kwanzaa, a cultural holiday celebrating the cultures of Africa and the African diaspora, is celebrated from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. At Penn, a celebration was held in the ARCH building with a ceremony and feast, offering sustenance and support for students during the final stretch of their fall semester.
I recently spoke with Tarah Paul, C’24 about a range of topics such as Black History Month, Penn Athletics, and Makuu: The Black Cultural Center. During our conversation, I often found myself awestruck due to the strength of her words and the thoughtfulness of her ideas. When I asked her
Ornate stone panels decorate the exterior of the late-Gothic Revival building known as The Arts, Research, and Culture House (ARCH) on Locust Walk. Inside, students recharge among the ARCH’s stone fireplaces and dark wood paneling. The building is home to three of Penn’s six cultural resource groups: La Casa Latina,
Normally, you get gifts at the end of Kwanzaa,” said Brian Peterson, director of Makuu: The Black Cultural Center. But as with most things, this year was a little different. A Dec. 9 event was hosted not in the Hall of Flags but in the ARCH building, and the communal meal had shifted to