‘Strive to Thrive​’

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

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 deep roots in Philadelphia.

“We just had this rich family history,” said Khaleel Adger, Faruq’s father.

There’s one photo, passed down in the family, that lives in both the past and the present.

“You can almost feel a presence in a way. It could be a tingle on the back of your neck, could be a smile,” said Faruq of the ancestor pictured in the photo.

He felt that presence as he prepared to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania because more than a century ago, his ancestor, William Adger, was in the same place.

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

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