Schedule of Events
February 1
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Program
“Moving Beyond the Dream: Empowering the Soul of America”
Students will present excerpts from Dr. King’s major speeches that outline his ideas on the economic empowerment of African Americans in their epic journey to participate in and fully enjoy the rewards of American society.
*Open to BC Faculty, Staff, and Students only.
11:00 a.m.
| Antisdel Chapel
February 5
South Carolina Philharmonic's "American Memories" Concert
Conductor Morihiko Nakahara has invited Benedict College to attend this concert that includes music by Florence Price and William Grant Still, the first African American composers to have their symphonies performed by a major orchestra. A Benedict faculty member and alumnus will participate. Dr. Eric Crawford has additional information.
6:30 p.m.
| Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene Street, Columbia, SC
February 8
The Annual Listervelt Middleton African-Centered Lecture Series: Part I
“African Americans: Distrust of the Medical Profession”
Dr. Burnett (Kwadwo) Gallman, Class of 1971, analyzes this mistrust based upon his background that includes past Chief of Internal Medicine at the former Palmetto Health Richland and Baptist Hospitals, co-medical director of the Ridgeway Health and Rehabilitation Center, the South Carolina Mental Health Center and the Benedict College Student Health Center. He is also a national Board Member of the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations, the South Carolina Council for African American Studies, the Kemetic Institute for Health and Human Development, and Board Chair of the Organization of Afrikan Unity of South Carolina.
11:00 a.m.
| Antisdel Chapel
The Annual Listervelt Middleton African-Centered Lecture Series: Part II
“Kemetic Protocol: The Concept of Listening in Determining Truth”
A powerful, timely lecture that reasserts the virtues of truth and intellectual inquisitiveness by Attorney Angie Porter. She is a Research Fellow and Adjunct Professor, seminar teacher on Africana Legal Studies, and Managing Editor of the Campus: Journal of the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations, at Georgetown University Law Center. She is the former Editor-in-Chief of the Howard Law Journal.
February 15
Black Lives Matter In South Carolina
Mr. Lawrence Nathaniel, Director of Black Lives Matter, SC, provides a penetrating look into the status of African Americans in contemporary South Carolina from the historical perspective of an activist and advocate who experienced income inequality and homelessness in New York. This caused his family to move to Bamberg, SC, where he organized many projects to help improve communities in South Carolina and bring clean water to Denmark, SC. He founded the “I Can’t Breathe March” and the Black Lives Matter SC Movement in 2020.
11:00 a.m.
| Antisdel Chapel
February 22
Induction of Scholars into the Benedict College Honors Program
“The Role of the Black Intelligentsia in the HBCU Community”
Mr. Marcus Amaker, first African American Poet Laureate of Charleston, SC, is the keynote speaker. In 2021, he became an Academy of American Poets Fellow who was recognized by the Kennedy Center, American Poets Magazine, and the Washington National Opera. His poetry has been studied in classrooms across the nation. He is also a musician, an award-winning graphic designer of a national music magazine, and creator of a poetry festival.
11:00 a.m.
| Antisdel Chapel
Harambee Festival 33: Inside/Out
The Iconic Harambee Festival 33 is moving to the Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
You are invited to be a part of this historic event! Welcome to one of the largest college-sponsored festivals in the nation. Enjoy the familiar vendors, performers, exhibitors, and activities from the past. Begin a new era of participating in new and expanded festival activities.
Tentative Schedule
Friday, April 22
Talent Search stage, Children’s Carnival, Battle of the DJs, step show, merchandise and food vendors, line dancing and much more fun and games!!
6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
| Charlie W. Johnson Stadium
Saturday, April 23
Harambee 33 begins with the most fantastic opening ceremony in the history of the Harambee Festival.
9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
| Charlie W. Johnson Stadium
African drumming, dancers, day-long stage performances, headliner R&B and Gospel performers, Aunt Pearlie Sue and the Gullah performers, local performing talent, DJs, winner of the talent search, Benedict College Gospel Choir, the Macy’s Parade bound Benedict College Marching Tiger Band of Distinction, international performers, unique African American merchandise, art, and cultural items, soul food, food vendors, a taste of harambee, carnival, Children’s Village, Women’s Village, free health screening village, free covid testing and vaccination village, first responders, car and bike show, a gallery of flags and banners, art exhibits, Benedict College village of Excellence exhibits and displays, outstanding African American and southern history displays, bake contest, empowerment workshops, game trucks, athletic activities, and so much more.
