CSU Channel Islands will be hosting an Interactive Black History Month Festival “The Black Genesis” and the community is invited to join the festivities on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in CI’s North Quad.
The festival will celebrate the national and global contributions of Americans of African descent with singing, dancing, historical exhibits, a barbecue, face-painting for kids and storytelling.
Imagine a cool breeze blowing in from the Serengeti, rustling the black walnut trees. It is dusk, just before the sun sets and the quietest time of the day — a good time for listening. This is the type of spell storyteller Oba William King spins when he speaks to audiences across the United States about the roots African American people share. King will be speaking at the event on Saturday. His inspiration for his West African style of storytelling arose from a sojourn to three small villages in Benin, West Africa and he wears traditional West African clothing when he tells his tales.
“That style involves the rhythm of the drums,” King said. “It calls for responses and is interactive. We are accustomed to sitting quietly. We learn not to interrupt the train of thought of the storyteller. The African style is more about the energy generated from the audience. It’s engaging and interactive.”
Scheduled to appear is Oba William King, who will speak about the roots African American people share. In addition guests can enjoy the electrifying African dance specialist Clydean (Makeda Kumasi) Parker and the Umoja Ensemble of the Inland Empire. The ensemble “edu-tains” offers the audience a combination of traditional and contemporary dance, music and oratory.
Organizers and featured guests believe it’s important to share the culture and contributions of African Americans because it strengthens not just the African American communities, but all communities. King believes it begins with sharing stories of the human experience that is common to all cultures.
“There are stories in every culture and in the African culture, it is the most ancient of traditions,” King said. “Through these stories, we can have unity — worldwide unity. Call me altruistic, but I think we can do it, one story at a time.”
For more information visit http://www.csuci.edu/news/releases/2016-blackgenesisfestival.htm
