Students Celebrate African Culture and History

Katherine Otah, Vanessa Webb and Chelsea Orisakwe walked the runway together.

The UTD African Student Union and Multicultural Center team up every February to host Africa Night as part of Black History Month.

The event is a celebration of the array of African cultures represented on campus. This year’s installment included song and dance performances, fashion shows, comedy routines and food.

Rudo Duri, who is majoring in healthcare studies, took to the runway with a Zimbabwe flag.

ECS students Mahelet Getahun and Emnet Nadew represented Ethiopia with a dance. “Dancing makes us feel connected to our culture. We live far away and this allows us to bring the culture from back home to us here.”

From left: Seniors DeMarcus Lott and Shirley Ochieng, along with sophomore Jeanne Muteba,  enjoyed Africa Night for the first time. “Watching the show and performances was refreshing to me. It was like being with family,” Ochieng said.

Megan Badejo, a healthcare studies senior, showcased Nigerian ashwebi attire.

—Sarah Wall