Senior Omolayo Ojo saw other college’s African Societies sponsoring a week solely devoted to Africa and knew it was something Elon University needed.
After learning from schools like Wake Forest University, Duke University and North Carolina A&T State University, Ojo is finally bringing that type of event to Elon.
“It’s finding ways to bring African topics to the forefront of various communities,” Ojo said. “Ever since the Elon African Society (EAS) was founded, we’ve been trying to get conversations going around campus about various African topics, but Africa Week’s really dedicated to celebrating things and celebrating cultures. We wanted something that would bring a lot of different parts of campus together.”
EAS is in the midst of hosting its inaugural Africa Week with the goal of giving students a better perspective on Africa while celebrating the culture as a whole. The week began Monday with the International African Fair and will conclude Saturday night with Africa Night, a culmination of everything done during the week.
Chef Kabui, renowned Kenyan chef from Apex, had a cooking demonstration followed by dinner and discussion on Tuesday. Today, students will present research at the third annual African and African-American Studies lunch and learn series.
Thursday, topics regarding African innovation will be explored at 6 p.m. in the Global Commons Media Room. South African food will also be served at Lakeside Dining Hall all week.
EAS partnered with a number of different organizations on campus to help plan the events, which all focus around the theme of African Influences Around the World. The Global Education Center, the Latin American Student Organization and the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education are all sponsoring portions of the week.
Ojo said the planning began more than a year ago, and the process has gotten frantic in the last few months to lock down the dates and sponsors.
“We don’t have a huge African population at Elon, but we have a lot of people who might be interested in African topics,” Ojo said. “We made sure our first topic was a very approachable topic — a very relatable topic — that can draw other students in who might not necessarily identify as African.”
Ojo said Africa Night is the main event of the week and what usually draws the most attention at other schools. There will be a number of dance performances by groups like Elon’s finest, Gospel Choir’s Praise Team, Alpha Phi Alpha Inc. and the African Dance Team from North Carolina Central University.
It takes place at 6 p.m. Saturday in McKinnon and is followed by an after party at 11 p.m. at Tap House.
“I think Elon students need to see beyond the Africa presented in the media,” said freshman Ally Bolton, a member of EAS. “I do believe there is a growing awareness on campus about African realities thanks to a number of initiatives on campus such as a forum on African entrepreneurship held earlier this semester by Dr Heidi Frontani. I would like for Africa week to be another such event. I think this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Africa’s rich and diverse cultures.”
EAS marketed the event through messages on digital boards, Facebook and Instagram posts and through departments on campus.
EAS won’t be making any profits from the week. Ojo said originally the plan was to charge admission to Africa Night and the subsequent after party — because that’s what other schools do — but they decided against it since it’s a new event.
“Africa has been in the news a lot lately, and most of the time it’s been not-so-great news,” Ojo said. “Taking a week where every topic we’re talking about is very enlightening, very inspirational, very celebratory of what Africa does have to offer is so important for Elon students who are interested in Africa or never been exposed to Africa or have only been exposed to bad news from Africa.”
As a whole, Ojo said the goal of the week is to showcase African history and the cultures that exist today. She thinks it manifests Elon’s goals regarding global engagement and citizenship.
“If this week can change just one person’s image of Africa or idea of what Africa looks like, I would call it a success,” Ojo said.