Africana Institute Annual Report

Africana Institute Annual Report
2009 - 2010
T
he Africana Institute started the 2009-2010 academic year by organizing a series
of academic and cultural events for ECC students, staff and the community atlarge. We spoke to a couple of groups of Newark middle school students at the
beginning of the year about African history. Two students were elected as the African
king and queen. The students played African drums and asked questions about Africa
and saw a PowerPoint presentation.
Dr. Khalfani with student Queen and King
Middle school students in the Africana Institute
In September, we successfully organized an orientation for ECC students
interested in completing a degree in Africana Studies. Faculty members who teach the
major courses were in attendance. We talked about how to attract more students and
how to expand the major. The second event convened was the second annual Bridging
the Gap symposium, which was co-sponsored by the college’s African Student
Association, Haitian Student Association, Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and the
Newark African Commission.
The daylong symposium Bridging the Gap: Building Ties among People of
African Descent was held on September 26, 2009. This second annual program was
designed to continue the dialog of helping to articulate the legacy of the African
Diaspora and to build positive relationships among people of African Descent. The
program featured panels on economics, education, spirituality, and culture, as well as
entertainment by an all-male African dance group from Benin.
The morning keynote speaker was City College of New York Professor Dr.
Leonard Kweku Jeffries Jr., who teachers African American Studies. The afternoon
keynote address was given by Professor Yaa-Lengi Ngemi, Coalition for Peace, Justice,
and Democracy in Congo-Zaire. Some of the panelists included Women in Support of
Prepared by Dr. Akil Kokayi Khalfani
Africana Institute – ECC
the Million Man March, Executive Director-Fredrica Bey, Newark Board of Education
member Barbara King, Harlem Islamic Leadership Imam Konate Souleimane, Awo
Chief Ifatomilola Akinwale Olatunji of the Ajmukin Ifa Agbaye of Ile Ife Nigeria, and
Anthony Adjasse, President of the Allied African Nations Chamber of Commerce.
The Pan African Martial Arts Conference was held on November 14 and 15.
Day one was at Essex County College and day two was held at Rutgers in the Paul
Robeson Center. We partnered with the Organization of Black Faculty and Staff at
Rutgers University, Newark and two community organizations to convene this important
event. The conference involved demonstrations and discussions on the various
contributions and African practices by traditional masters and scholars. We paid tribute
to Dr. Ivan Van Sertima and his work during the two-day event. Co-author and editor of
African Presence in Early Asia, Runoko Rashidi was our keynote speaker. International
African martial arts master Mfundish Shaha Massi discussed the legacy of an African
martial system and the release of his new book Essential Warrior.
Runoko Rashidi and Dr. Khalfani
Shaha Massi- author of Essential Warrior
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Africana Institute – ECC
On October 16 and 17, the Institute held the State of Black Writers Forum with
the Frances E. W. Harper Literary Society of the Newark Public Library and the
Humanities Division. The speakers included scholars from ECC, other colleges and
universities, and local writers. Dr. Sylviane A. Diouf from the Schomburg Center for
Research in Black Culture of the New York Public Library gave the keynote on day one
and the legendary Poet and Activist Amiri Baraka gave the keynote address on the
second day. Broadway star Bernard Marsh talked about his new book on racism on
Broadway.
Dr. Sylviane A. Diouf
Amiri Baraka
Bernard Marsh
In collaboration with the Newark Arts Council’s city-wide Open Doors exhibition
and the ECC Foundation, the Africana Institute opened an exhibition on October 23rd
entitled Enlightened Journey featuring artist Carol Black-Lemon.
November 14 and 15 featured the Second Annual Pan African Martial Arts
conference and exhibition. The keynote address was given by the internationally
acclaimed speaker Runoko Rashidi.
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Africana Institute – ECC
Kwanzaa
December 10 we held the second major Pre-Kwanzaa celebration at ECC, where
we bring all of the students of African descent together to celebrate our culture.
ECC and Rutgers students performing at the College’s annual Kwanzaa event
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Africana Institute – ECC
Ghanaian Visitors
The Institute received two visitors from Ghana during the Fall semester.
Honorable E.T. Mensah, the Chief Whip of the Parliament, and King Nana Otimpie Aben,
II. They agreed to work with the Institute to facilitate exchange relationships for
Ghanaian and Essex students. Mr. Mensah agreed to help organize a trip to Ghana,
which we are planning for 2012.
Dr. L.G. White, Mr. Okemes Okemieze, Honorable E.T. Mensah, MP - Ghana, Dr. A.Z. Yamba,
Ms. Barbara King, Dr. Khalfani, Humphrey Mensah
Nana Otimpie Aben, II, Emeka Ekulide-President African Student Association,
Yolanda Mercurius-Vice President Phi Theta Kappa and Dr. Yamba
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Africana Institute – ECC
2010
The Institute hosted a reception for Nana Otimpie Oben II at the Africana Institute on
Friday, January 15, 2010 - Nana’s official name and title are: Katakyie Nana Otimpie
Aben II; Otumfuo's Sasaamopaninhene; Nkwanta Patase - Kwabere West; Ashanti
Region, Ghana, West Africa
Dr. Yamba, Dr. Khalfani, and Nana Otimpie Aben, II and his entourage
Nana delivered gifts from the Asante King in Ghana (Asantehene) and spoke about
developing exchange opportunities for Ghanaian and ECC students.
The Africana Institute organized a series of events for African History Month outlined
below. We also co-sponsored several events with Student Life and Activities. We
printed a comprehensive information card with campus-wide events of the month from
various departments.
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Africana Institute – ECC
African History Month
The African History Month opening event was a discussion with Professor Al
Prophete and the Haitian Student Association to raise consciousness about the Haiti
earthquake crisis. It was held in the 4th level Multi-purpose room on 2/5/10.
A month-long art exhibition was held in The Gallery. It was entitled - Let Us
Emerge: Slavery in the Diaspora - featuring Artists: Mansa Musa, Baja Ukweli, Maggie
Brown and Bradford Brown. The reception for this exhibit was held on February 9th.
A lecture entitled, “Genocide in the Congo and Reflections on Cheik Anta Diop,”
by Professor Yaa-Yengi Ngemi was held in Smith Hall on 2/11/10.
Professor Yaa-Yengi Ngemi
We held three film events in Smith Hall. On February 16, 2010 we presented the
film Palace to Plantation to Glory. A documentary that looks at the journey of Africans
in the diaspora; who came from greatness, but were dragged down by their oppressors.
These Africans were raised up to glory over the years with Obama being a shining
example. The director Prince Joseph Agunloye discussed the significance of the film
with students in Smith Hall on the 16th of February. On the 18th we presented a film by
Hafiz Farid entitled, “Darfur, Too Far Too Dark”
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Africana Institute – ECC
In March on the 17th we presented Pillar of Salt: The Angry Woman Syndrome.
This was our second film with Director Hafiz Farid. This film addressed the issues
concerning alienation, rejection and abuse experienced by some women. It offered
some ways to overcome the frustrations and pains these women encounter. The
students and community members were very appreciative of what the film had to offer,
despite the negative suggestion of the title of the documentary. (See Appendix)
Battle of the Saxes Jazz Concert
Battle of the Saxes Jazz Concert was presented in conjunction with the Student Life
Activities Office. Dr. Khalfani conceptualized the concert as a friendly battle between
men and women saxophonists that would excite the hearts and minds of jazz enthusiast
and others. The concept worked greatly. Originally scheduled for February 27th as part
of the African History Month program; due to a snow storm, the concert was
rescheduled to March 4th and was held in the Mary Burch Theater. The concert featured
saxophonists Tia Fuller, Camille Thurman, Chelsea Baratz, Don Braden, Bruce
Williams, and Cassey Benjamin. The rhythm section featured Shamie Royston, Miriam
Sullivan, and Rudy Royston. $340 in donations for the ECC Haitian Relief Effort were
collected.
Bruce Williams, Cassey Benjamin, Tia Fuller, Don Braden, Chelsea Baratz, Camille Thurman
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Africana Institute – ECC
We held a reception and discussion with Dr. Jacquelline Oble, the first Female
candidate for the presidency of Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa. It was held in the Africana
Institute on the 17th of March, 2010. She gave a vibrate presentation on the status of
women in electoral politics in her country.
Theophilus Acquaye, Alex, Dr. White, Dosso Kassimo, Dr. Oble, Jeannette Robinson,
Dr. Khalfani, Inell Jackson, Okems Okemise
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Africana Institute – ECC
Health and Wellness Expo
The 3rd Annual Essex County Health and Wellness Expo was convened in conjunction
with Wellness Gardens and held in Smith Hall on the 27th of March, 2010. The focus of
the expo was on Healthy Bodies, Healthy Relationships, and Healthy Finances. The
program featured keynote speaker Dr. Lliala Afrika. Other presenters included Lloyd
Strayhorn, Von Aulston, Children from the Adelaide L. Sanford Charter School and the
Master of Ceremony was Bob Pickett of 98.7 KISS FM. The event was attended by
students, staff and community members. Approximately 200 people attended the event.
Bob Pickett of 98.7 KISS FM
For May 20th, we organize a forum on educational reform that was well received.
This forum is part of an ongoing effort by the Institute to address educational inequities
for students of African descent, as well as other students, in the State of New Jersey.
There are three forums left in the series. We have partnered with several other
organizations in this effort.
We installed Journey to Success. An art exhibit featured in The Gallery
showcasing the artwork of Bradford Brown. This exhibition was installed for Dr.
Abdullah’s reception of community college presidents. This exhibit ran throughout May
and June, with a reception for the artist on June 2, 2010. The artist’s work featured a
jazz series and his innovative three dimensional painting.
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Africana Institute – ECC
Partnering with the Community
Dr. Khalfani, Dr. White and Eric Kofi E Jones, CEO O'ia-da
Lastly in June, the Institute and the College was invited to participate in an
international video conference and cultural exchange with Ghanaian students and
officials via the internet utilizing the "Tele-Presence" technology with O'ia-da
International, Inc. in Newark and Akoma Ntoso Cultural Center in Ghana. This was a
wonderful way to end the academic year. There were students from American History
High School, Newark and students from schools in Ghana. We will continue to work
with this organization to build a strong presence for ECC internationally.
We concluded the year by giving awards to the individual and departments in the
community and on campus who help to make the year’s initiatives successful. This will
be an annual event for future years. We gave four types of awards: the CCC for
Community Commitment and Contribution; the Harriet Tubman Award for the individual
who helps to reach back to help others, the Sankofa Award for those individuals who
helped the Institute develop programs that connected to our African roots; and the Boa
Me Na Me Mmoa Wo Award for those departments and organizations that
demonstrated great cooperation and interdependence with our mission.
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Africana Institute – ECC
Appendix
Here you will find samples of the flyers and pictures from the past year.
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A Forum Featuring
Amiri Baraka
Celebrating His 75th Birthday on Sat. 17th
Sylviane Diouf Fri. 16th
Eileen DeFreece Fri. 16th
Rebecca Williams Fri. 16th
Sulayman Nyang Fri. 16th
Bernard Marsh Sat. 17th
And Many Others
including Stanley E. Terrell Fri.
Friday, October 16th, 9:30
9:30—
— 4:30
Saturday, October 17th, 1:00
1:00—
— 6:00
Essex County College
Smith Lecture Hall
For more information
West Market St. — Newark
contact 973-877-3219
www.essex.edu/ai
Sponsors
Africana Institute, Frances E. W. Harper Literary
Society, Humanities Division of Essex County College
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Runoko Rashidi
Ahati Kilindi Iyi
Shaha Massi
Grand Master Shubi
Master Neb Shaka-Ra
Remembering Dr. Ivan Van Sertima:
The African Origins of Asian Martial Arts
Saturday, 11/14/09 9:30am-4:00pm
Workshops—Demonstrations—Panel Discussions
Community Tribute to Dr. Van Sertima
Runoko Rashidi, Keynote Address
Smith Lecture Hall—Essex County College
West Market St. and Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Newark, NJ
Sunday, 11/15/09 10:30am-4:00pm
Dr. Ivan Van Sertima
When We Were Kings—Movie and Discussion
Ahati Kilindi Iyi—Workshop
Mfundishi Jhutyms Ka N Heru Salim—Workshop
Paul Robeson Center, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ
M.F.S.I.
Free and Open to the Public
Sponsors:
Africana Institute at Essex County College, Ka Kheper Ra Shule,
Maasi Family System and the Organization of Black Faculty and Staff at Rutgers University, Newark
For more information visit www.essex.edu/ai or call: 973-877-3219
Enlightened Journey
By Carol Black-Lemon
Carol Black-Lemon studied media art for advertising at The School for Visual
Arts in NYC. She built a successful portfolio which led her to an
apprenticeship position at J. Walter Thompson, USA. Her successful career in
adverting led to an apprenticeship as Art Director in print and TV
advertising. Carol worked for 8 years on Fortune 500 accounts like the Ford
Motor company.
Black-Lemon left the advertising world and continued as a freelance artist for
various businesses like Radio City Music Hall and the Revlon makeup
account among many others. She and her husband began their family and she
eventually returned to the advertising world on a management level for several
years.
October 24, 2009 thru
November 30, 2009
ey
Thee Ga
Gallery
Essex County College
Carol now resides in West Orange
Orange, New Jersey with
her husband and two children. She has her own art
business, BlackLemon Creative Source where she
creates and sells her fine art paintings, designs and
manages websites for various clients and works on
various commissioned art projects. Carol is
following her dream and creating art with a passion.
passion
www.blacklemonart.com
2nd Level
West Market and
Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd
973-877-3219
An art exhibition presented by the
Africana Institute of Essex County College