CMA's Signature Events   

 

 

Click on the individual event's title to view the specific student learning outcomes for that event.

 

 

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Ramadan is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar.  It is during this holy month that Muslims around the world observe the Fast of Ramadan, abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking or indulging in anything that is considered in excess or ill-natured from sunrise to sunset.  BSU's annual celebration is a collaborative event between the CMA and the Middle Eastern Studies Program.  Faculty, staff, students, and members of the external community joined together in the Large Ballroom of the Campus Center for to learn more about the Celebration of the holy month of Ramadan, a dinner based on traditional Middle Eastern recipes and various distinguished speakers from the Muslim, Christian, and Jewish faiths.  The evening was concluded with an amazing musical performance by Caravan, BSU's faculty World Music Trio. 

 

For a more detailed description of this year's Ramadan celebration, please click here to read the news article written by Mr. Dave Wilson, Office of Institutional Communications   

 

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The CMA celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month and the memory of Dr. Dina Carbonell, Department of Social Work and her accomplishments here at BSU at our annual brunch held in October.  Dr. Sabrina Gentlewarrior, Director, Office of Institutional Diversity, and Andrea Garr-Barnes, Director of the Center for Multicultural Affairs, spoke to the faculty, staff, and students about Dr. Carbonell, her commitment and dedication to her work, and her pride in her Hispanic heritage.  Our guest speaker was Ms. Renata Teodoro from the Student Immigrant Movement.  She spoke to the audience about her story and the "Dream Act". Guests enjoyed authentic Hispanic dishes, including sorullos de maiz, mallorca bread, and arroz con leche. 

 

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There always exists more than one side to every story and the story behind the original Thanksgiving dinner between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans is no different.  In celebration of November's Native American Heritage Month, Mr. Randy Joseph, Jr., a member of the Plymouth County Wampanoag tribe, joined a members of the BSC community to have a frank and open discussion about the historical events that led up to the first Thanksgiving dinner.  Using historical facts and references, Mr. Joseph challenged the audience to re-examine the commonly accepted myths that surround the holiday and also discussed what it means to be Native American in today's society.  Mr. Joseph also discussed the past and present of the Wampanoag people in the New England area and the traditional culture of indigenous people.  The celebration concluded with Mr. Joseph, who has delivered educational programs from the Wampanoag perspective to all ages for more than 12 years, performing a traditional spirit song for the group and answering questions from those in attendance. 

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Sister Scholar Community Kwanzaa/Kente Cloth Celebration - 12.08.10

On a cold Wednesday evening in December, the Dunn conference room was packed with BSU students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and family in celebration of Kwanzaa and to present members of the January class of  graduates with Kente cloth stoles to wear during Winter Commencement.  The Sister Scholars, dressed in Purple, Silver, and black, prepared and served cultural dishes from all over the world to all of those in attendance.  Individual Sister Scholars represented each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa and spoke to the audience about the meaning of each principle.  In addition to the plentitude of food and beverages available and the sense of family and community that came from sharing Kwanzaa dinner together, the event celebrated eight of BSU's graduating students of color with rousing applause, standing ovations, and many tears and hugs.  What a great way to close out another successful semester at BSU and begin the holiday season!    

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On Thursday, April 21st, the CMA and the Middle Eastern Studies Program held its 2nd Annual Passover Celebration.  Passover is the one of the most important of the Jewish festivals and holidays.  The 3,000 year-old holiday celebrates the Exodus of the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.  More than 40 members of the BSU community, including students, faculty, staff, and guests, joined together to learn more about the history and traditions of the Passover holiday, enjoy a Kosher-inspired meal, and listen to the guest speaker, Rabbi Hannah Orden, among others, who spoke about BSU's inaugural celebration of this incredible holiday and what the Passover holiday means to them.  At each table, members of the Jewish community led discussions about the symbolism of the food items on the Seder plates and the copies of the Haggadah, which contain the narrative of the Israelite exodus from Egypt, special blessings and rituals, commentaries from the Talmud, and special Passover songs , that were on each table.  Dr. Jabbar Al-Obaidi Coordinator of BSU's Middle Eastern Studies Program gave the closing remarks.

 

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May Kente Cloth Brunch - 05.07.11

The CMA hosted its 12^th Annual Kente Cloth Brunch on a beautiful Saturday morning at the beginning of May.  51 graduating students of color were presented with authentic kente cloth stoles to wear at BSU's Spring Commencement Convocation on May 14^th.  The nearly 150 guests in attendance were treated to a rendition of "Life Every Voice and Sing", also known as the Negro National Anthem, led by Natara Gray and enjoyed the traditional Kente Cloth Brunch breakfast of fried chicken, cheese grits, waffles, and biscuits with honey.  Four Kente Cloth graduates spoke to a captive audience of their classmates, friends, family, and mentors, about their journey at BSU, what challenges they faced during their journey, and what they will remember most about their college experience.  This year's Kente Cloth featured its first "Mothers Day Appreciation" dedication, followed by a spoken word piece from Kente Cloth Graduate Hakim Hill. This moving event closed with the graduating students being presented with their stoles and certificates by members of the Afro-American Alumni Society and the viewing of a presentation of pictures of each graduating student, accompanied by R. Kelly's song "I believe I can Fly", and of course many pictures, hugs, and some tears of happiness! Please click here to view a recap of this years memorable ceremony!

 

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View the slideshow below for pictures from CMA and our student organizations' fall and spring semesters' events:

 

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Last Modified: October 21, 2011