In an emotional and entertaining tribute to the legacy of our families, the African American Celebration committee hosted its 15th annual dinner and performance event. The February 5th evening festivities represented the culmination of a week during which members of the Brooklyn Friends community learned about the African Burial Ground in lower Manhattan, explored genealogical research techniques, created family memory boxes, and listened to the spoken work, music, and poetry of the African diaspora.
Participants began the evening with a hearty dinner in the cafeteria – transformed by colorful fabrics and BFS family portraits by ninth graders Jake R. and Timothy W. The end of dinner was marked by a procession of drummers -- Mirembe, Jumoke, Bisa, Conway and Bakari -- that led the families from the cafeteria to the meeting house.
After a moment of silence and welcoming statements by PAT African American Committee Chair Alisa Martin Granderson and Head of School Michael Nill, the audience sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing" to mark the beginning of the program.
In the opening act, Panthers Supreme -- Tyler, Jamara, Asha, Calli, Crystal, Rufaro and faculty adviser Ms. Vanessa -- combined modern and African dance techniques in a performance that wowed the crowd.
Next, BFS parent Masauko Chimpembere and his fellow musicians and songwriters Kuku and Mongese – kept the energy high with performances of original songs from Malawi, South Africa and Nigeria. All were invited to join in – through singing, clapping, and for the youngest members of our community – dancing on the stage!
The final act of the evening featured BFS parent and saxphonist Andrew Lamb and his ensemble – seamlessly combining jazz, poetry and African-American history.
At the close of the evening, Alisa Martin Granderson and Dena Douglas Patterson '83 presented Michael Nill with a BFS photo collage created by BFS parent Callie French. The collage represented the many members of Michael's extended BFS family, underscoring this year's theme of Legacy: Celebrating the Strength of Our Families.
"I am honored to receive this gift and I will treasure it always," said Dr. Nill.
Proceeds of the event are being donated to Doctors Without Borders to assist in Haiti Relief efforts.
T-Shirts are still available for sale – be sure to purchase one so that our donation to Doctors Without Borders can be as generous as we can make it.