The ninth annual African Kings and Queens: Evolution of Black honored prominent Black figures on Thursday in Ursa Major AB.
“The performers had a lot of enthusiasm,” said Chris Osuala, a third-year computer- engineering student.
The 38 students of Professor Toni-Mokjaetji Humber’s African American Contemporary Issues class and of the African American Student Center and Ethnic and Women’s Studies Department did reenactments of many historical figures that made an impact from the beginning of time to present day.
“This year’s presentation was both good and entertaining because it incorporated a lot of new things, even information from previous years, but most importantly it involved the audience, which was great,” said La ‘Keisha Gilford, coordinator of the African American Student Center.
The event was celebrating “Africa’s gift to the world” through figures like Chaka Zulu, Emmett Till, Rosa Parks, Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and many others.
“My students were told from the very first day of class that they were going to be a part of this celebration and it was up to them to decide what they wanted to do and how they wanted to do it,” said Humber
Not only were these historical figures recognized for their status and position, but for what they fought for and believed in.
“I liked the fact that the performance was educational, teaching others of important black figures while still entertaining,” said Demetri Newson Thompson, a third-year political science student. “I thought the end product was a well received performance that came together very nicely.”
Aimee Burdette, a fourth-year psychology student, said a lot of hard work was needed for the performance.
“It was challenging at first, but as soon as I got up there, I enjoyed myself and was proud to represent the Black Panthers and Freedom Charters with great energy and emotion,” said Burdette.
In the closing, Humber and her students encouraged the audience to shout “We’re Black and we’re proud,” showing that in some way, each person is connected and “African history, our history, is world history.”
“I learned that Black history is world history, not just African American history,” said Jennifer Pentone, a first-year hotel and restaurant management student. “It involves so many different cultures.”
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