Vol. 38, No. 18

4-7-2004
By: Liz Cook

Heritage Festival begins April 25

A campus kickoff celebration, a town hall meeting that examines the impact of the hip-hop culture and the return of many event favorites highlight the 2004 African American Heritage Festival (AAHF) April 25 through May 1 on the Ohio State campus. The theme is “UHAMBO — The Journey; Embracing our Past, Present and Future.”

Senior Greg Beasley is the student chair of the 26th anniversary planning committee. He said the committee developed a program that will provide people with a truer sense of the value in cultural diversity.

“We want the campus community to develop a greater sense of belonging while experiencing the journey,” Beasley said. “To do that, we all must recognize the significance of past events, acknowledge where we are now and think ahead to our future.”

Beasley added that the student committee chairs planned events that were consistent with the festival theme.

One example of an event that reflects the past, present and future is the community service project.

Previously a single-day event, the AAHF community service project will extend over three weeks beginning April 12. Non-perishable food and toiletry items will be collected throughout the campus and donated to various organizations in Columbus.

“The items we collect will go to Columbus Colony Elderly Care, representing our past, Faith Missions, the present, and the Safe Haven for needy children, our future,” he said.

The festival’s seven-day format also has changed this year. Events will begin on Sunday, rather than Monday, bringing the festival to a close on Saturday, May 1.
Belinda Higgs, coordinator of African American Student Services in the Multicultural Center and the staff adviser for the AAHF, said the change provided an opportunity for students to plan a kickoff celebration for the campus community.

“Last year, our records indicated that attendance at events didn’t begin to build until midweek,” Higgs said. “The students hope to generate interest early with a welcoming event.”

The Kickoff Celebration begins at 1 p.m. on April 25 with a campus march from Curl Drive to the Brown Amphitheatre on the South Oval. Following a brief program, the annual Tri-Black Student Association’s cookout will begin at 3 p.m.

Judge Joe Brown, Fox Television courtroom personality, will preside over a Town Hall Meeting at 7 p.m. on April 26 in the West Ballroom of the Ohio Union. “Hip-Hop on Trial: A Look at the Past, Present and Future: Has Hip-Hop Produced Positive Role Models?” will feature Brown in a mock trial setting.

Mahogany Moments, a semiformal dinner-dance, was new to the Heritage Festival last year and returns with a twist. Instead of formal wear, faculty, staff and students are encouraged to wear traditional African clothing or accessories. The dance will begin at 8 p.m. on April 29 at the Blackwell. Tickets are available at the Multicultural Center in the Ohio Union. Individual tickets are $10 and $15 for two.

Event favorites such as the Poetry Slam, Soul Time and the Black Greek Step Show also will return.

EVENT SCHEDULE

• April 12-May 1: Community Service Project

• April 25: Kickoff Celebration, 1-7 p.m., and Tri-BSA Cookout, 3 p.m., South Oval.

• April 26: Student Leadership Forum, 4-5 p.m., Hale Center.
Town Hall Forum with Judge Joe Brown, 7-9 p.m., Ohio Union.

• April 27: Columbus/Ohio State Reads Program, 9-11 a.m., East Linden Elementary, 2500 Perdue Road, and at Hubbard Elementary School, 104 W. Hubbard St.
Poetry Slam, 7-9:30 p.m., Independence Hall.

• April 28: Soul Time at OSU, 7-10 p.m., Independence Hall.

• April 29: Columbus/Ohio State Reads Program, 9-11 a.m., Hubbard Elementary School, 104 W. Hubbard St.
Beauty and Barbershop Day, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Hale Center.
Mahogany Moments, 8 p.m.-midnight, the Blackwell. African dress attire is requested at this dinner-dance for Ohio State staff, students and faculty. Tickets with a BuckID are $10 per person and $15 per pair, and are available at the Multicultural Center.

• April 30: Columbus/OSU Reads Program, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Hale Center.
17th Annual Pan-Hellenic Black Greek Step Show, 7-10:30 p.m., Mershon Auditorium. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and are $12 in advance and $15 the day of the show.

• May 1: Saturday at the Park, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., location TBA.
The Official Heritage Festival Finale and After Party - “The Springfest Jam,” 8 p.m., Newport Music Hall, 1722 N. High St. The event finale of the 2004 AAHF will feature hip-hop artists Cam’ Ron and the Diplomats with Juelz Santana and Jim Jones. Ticket are $10 for students with a valid BuckID through the Multicultural Center. Tickets will be available to the general public after April 16.

For more information, contact African American Student Services at 688-8449.

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