Cheering, drummers, dancers and heartfelt messages defined Elon University’s ninth annual Donning of the Kente ceremony on May 22.
Donning of the Kente is a cultural ceremony designed to celebrate the achievements of graduating students with African roots. Each student receives a stole made of authentic, handmade kente cloth imported from West Africa.
Randy Williams, Elon University vice president and associate provost for inclusive excellence, said during his opening speech that the ceremony’s goal is to uplift the graduates.
“This evening ceremony is a homecoming to self, to community and to legacy,” Williams said. “It is a reminder that blackness is not a deficit, but rather a deep well of faith and hope, of wisdom and joy, and of strength and power that benefits all people.”
Kente cloth dates back to 12th century Ghana, and was worn by important figures of state during ceremonial events. According to Williams, the cloth is a representation of African history and culture.
“The kente is not mere fabric. It is a testimony,” Williams said. “Its vibrant threads tell the stories of resistance, sovereignty, wisdom and an unbroken lineage connecting us to our ancestors.”
At Elon’s Donning of the Kente ceremony, faculty read statements written by a person selected by the graduate. The selected person also presented the kente cloth to the graduate. As these heartfelt statements were read, throngs of cheers were elicited from the audience.
Graduate Nyla Benton embraces her mother after receiving her kente cloth during the Donning of the Kente ceremony May 22 at Alumni Gym.
In addition to celebrating the graduates, Williams also said the night is meant to recognize the hard work of their families and friends who are the roots from which the graduates grow.
“Success is never a solo journey,” Williams said. “It takes a village, and tonight, we honor the elders, the kinfolk, the chosen family, the spiritual guides and the everyday stalwarts who have nurtured and stood beside our graduates through every trial and triumph.”
The night was bookended by drummers and a lively group of dancers from The Pointe! Dance and Technique Conservatory, a performing arts group based in Greensboro.
Dancers perform during the Donning of the Kente ceremony May 22 at Alumni Gym.
This year’s Donning of the Kente was made special by the addition of the Kelli E. Palmer Donning of the Kente Endowment. Palmer, an Elon graduate from the class of 1998 and a member of Elon’s Board of Trustees, recently funded an endowment designed to support the continuation of the event and the purchase of the kente cloths. Palmer delivered the keynote address of the ceremony and spoke on how the Black community at Elon has impacted her.
“The Black community at Elon has given much to me, for it is one of the rocks on which I stand on that catapults my achievement,” Palmer said.
Palmer urged the graduates to stick together and invest in the Black community, and brought up the African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together” as an example.
Naeemah Clark, associate provost of academic inclusive excellence, presented a kente cloth to graduating senior Bonnie Baffoe-Bonnie and expressed the joy Baffoe-Bonnie brought her during her time at Elon.
“A highlight of my day is spotting you and your headphones walking toward me on campus,” Clark wrote in her statement about Baffoe-Bonnie. “I know I'll be greeted with the warmest smile even on the gloomiest of days. Though you are soft spoken, you use your voice as a tool, whether it's in a podcast about gentrification in Ireland, or when singing in front of a crowd in Japanese, to create connection and enlightenment.”
Senior Aniya Arnold, a Cinema & Television Arts major, had her cloth given to her by assistant professor of English Erin Pearson, who wrote in her statement that she immediately spotted Arnold’s curiosity and brilliance.
“Even as a first-year student, you combined astute analysis with a lightning bolt of a writer's voice; distinctive and compelling,” Pearson wrote. “The world will be a better place because of your voice and your vision. Throughout your time at Elon, I have marveled at your poise, your passion and your ability to chart a path toward your dreams.”