Afrofest celebrates tenth anniversary

JEREMY JAMES FOKUOH
Feb 27/2015

The University of Windsor staff and students are celebrating thetenth anniversary of the student-led program Afrofest.

Since 2005, one week in February has been dedicated to Afrofest so that students at the university can celebrate the journey and progression of black history, as well as engage in a cultural exchange among themselves.

This year’s Afrofest took place between February 23 and 27.  Each day, hundreds of people turn up for displays of either dance, music, poetry, spoken word, advice panels and fashion, all exploring and celebrating black history.

Coordinator Zainab Ikpong has been in charge of the event since October 2014. With only four months to get Afrofest underway, Ikpong, assistant coordinator Janice Appiah and the rest of the team took the challenge upon themselves to make Afrofest happen this year.

“I took the responsibility,” said Ikpong. “I took it upon myself to take over coordinating the event in October just because I wanted the person that was responsible for running it to truly care.”

Ikpong said she wants to make sure that this year’s Afrofest is more successful when compared to prior years. She also has her own personal view of the success of Afrofest.

“I think when people begin to understand that the main thing that Afrofest stands to represent is unity,” said Ikpong. “That is what will make this more successful. When our people, Caribbean people and African people, when we as brothers and sisters come together and have a good time and support each other, when we perform with each other, participate and use teamwork. When I see my peers are having a good time that will be the true success.”

The event also has support from other student groups at the university. Some of these groups include the University of Windsor Student Alliance, the Organization of Part Time University Students and most importantly, the Caribbean African Organization for Students. Because CAOS is a group focused on the Caribbean and African students at the university, their support and help with Afrofest has been very apparent. CAOS co-president Louis Boadi is in full support of Afrofest and encourages his CAOS members to help out with the event.

“We help out in the sense of volunteering,” said Boadi. “At least five of our members are there all the time. If it’s not our members, at least one of the presidents are there. That means it’s either me or Re’gina Brown, the other co-president.”

Boadi doesn’t see the event separate from CAOS or any other Caribbean and African cultured groups at the university.

“At the end of the day, our groups are promoting one thing, and that’s black culture. It’s what we bring to the table to let the school know ‘Hey, we’re here,’” said Boadi.

Afrofest 2015 ended Feb 27 with its most anticipated event Love Languages at the Green Bean Café on Wyandotte Street.