4:49 p.m., June 12, 2008--UD's 11th annual Kente Stole ceremony, sponsored by the Center for Black Culture and Black Student Union, saluted the accomplishments of UD African-American graduating seniors and the family and community members who helped them achieve their goals. The ceremony was held May 30 in Pearson Hall Auditorium.
The colorful, striped Kente Stole is native to Ghana and is used for special occasions, reflecting history, philosophy, ethics, oral literature, religious beliefs, social values and political thought.
This year, students were presented with a gift bag containing a statue of a Sankofa bird, which symbolizes looking back to the past in order to build for the future, and a certificate of recognition for students to give to parents or other persons who encouraged them during their college years.
Omar Griffith, AG '01, president of UD's Black Alumni Association, also was present, and seniors had the opportunity to join UDConnection.com, the University's online alumni community.
Kasandra Moye, director of the Center for Black Culture and Multicultural Programs, coordinated the event. Erastus Mong'are, AS '03, program director of AmeriCorps in Delaware, was the keynote speaker. Norma Gaines-Hanks, assistant professor of individual and family studies, and Yasser Payne, assistant professor of Black American Studies, presided over the donning of the Kente Stoles ceremony.
The feedback from seniors and families has been very positive, and the ceremony is meaningful and special for students of African descent, Moye said.
Gaines-Hanks said, “It was an inspirational program that successfully conveyed several themes: our connection to our racial/cultural heritage, the importance of staying connected and the value of 'giving back.' The symbolism of the Sankofa statue reinforced the ceremony's themes.”
Article by Sue Moncure
Photos by Duane Perry