Africa United Celebration kicks off another academic year

The Africa United Celebration, hosted by African Studies in the department of Anthropology and Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, has become a campus tradition marking back-to-school season for Black students and faculty at UCalgary. The community filled MacEwan Hall on Sept.16, making it the largest event yet.

"Now in its fifth year, the Africa United Celebration has become a powerful way to create belonging and community at the beginning of the academic year," says Dr. Motilola Akinfemisoye-Adejare, PhD, assistant professor (teaching) in the African Studies program. "It gives Black students a space to connect and celebrate their experiences while inviting the wider university campus community to share in that celebration. Its continued growth is a testament to the significance it holds for Black students on campus."

For Tadiwa Muyaka, a second-year student in the Haskayne School of Business, Africa United is an opportunity to connect with community and learn about the African Studies program. 

"African studies is a really nice program for me. Some of my friends are in it, so it is a place where we come together to learn about Africa," says Muyaka. 

"It is a good place to network as well." 

The celebration is an important event for students who are new to UCalgary, like Sikemi Adeyink, a Communication, Media and Film Studies student from Nigeria.

“It is an introduction to how big and connected the African culture is on campus,” says Adeyink, noting that there are performances and presentations from a variety of clubs.

In addition to Black students, clubs and faculty, several guests and community leaders welcomed students to campus, including Dr. Sandra Davidson, PhD, provost; Dr. Verity Turpin, PhD, vice-president (student experience); Dr. Malinda Smith, PhD, associate vice-president (research); Jon Cornish, former chancellor; and David Bradshaw, president of Calgary Black Chambers.