Stepping outside the Witherspoon Student Center, the first thing you hear is the music from the makeshift dance floor and DJ mixing beat after beat, song after song. The air was filled with chatter of people clinging to the sides of the bursting sidewalks with tickets for food trucks in hand and the shouts of whipped cream hitting people square in the face. It was hot to an uncomfortable degree, but there’s some comfort in knowing that today is Friday and Harambee is where students came to celebrate their upcoming freedom. 

Harambee! 2025 was held on Sept. 26. It is an annual social event that allows students to find community through the vendors, student organizations and student-centered campus partners. 

The African American Cultural Center (AACC) hosted the event. It has slowly moved away from the Washington-Sankoffa room to Harris Field. Instead of a choir and organized performances, there’s a DJ playing games and music that encourages the community to come together.

As “Flex” by Cupid plays, a throng of students comes up to dance, sliding to the left and right in perfect harmony. There is a beauty in the excitement and synchronicity of dancing with one another, side by side. When people gather here, there’s a sense of comfort, familiarity and pride to be found. 

Vendors

All around Harris Field are student organizations, vendors and student-centered campus organizations set up to talk with attendees. 

One of them is Sianna Leavy, the owner of Gemthropology. She’s a former NC State finance employee who later began her handmade custom jewelry business. She uses natural stones in what she makes and takes pride in them. She blends her love for jewelry with her background in anthropology — hence the name — with every piece she strives to tell a social story.

Leavy says, “When you get my jewelry, you’re not just wearing an accessory, you’re wearing a social story. Part of culture, part of history, something that you could resonate with.” NC State was the first to let her vendor on their campus.

You can find her on Instagram at @Gemthropolgy. 

Another vendor at Harambee! was Jasmine Callender, the owner of Styled by Jasmine Boutique. Her colorful wares are spread on the table: from headwraps to earrings to apparel and bowties. She originally worked in social services with the boutique as a part-time hustle. 

“Where I was working, I didn’t feel like it was feeding that [creative] part of me. So I wanted to step out on my own, do something creative.” In 2019, she began operating her boutique full-time, with every item handmade. 

You can find her at Sbjboutique.com to discover handmade, unique colorful pieces.

NC State students may be familiar with Gavin Bell, the Assistant Director at the Multicultural Student Association. His table featured a large print of a Native American woman in traditional clothing with a hawk on her shoulder. It was a piece that displayed such care and passion. Every year, Bell tables at Harambee, displaying his passion for art loudly. 

“I grew up in Durham [and it] was a super dynamic place with a lot of creatives. And so a lot of my inspiration comes from growing up there.” 

Harambee! is an event where creatives like Bell, Calendar and Leavy can thrive. 

Quashon Bunch, the Associate Director of AACC, said, “When we come together as a community there are endless possibilities. Every department, every professor, every staff member, and every employee share the responsibility of being a beacon of inspiration not just for students but for one another.”

Student Organizations

This event allowed for student organizations, such as the Black Male Collective and the Office of Student Conduct, to bring attention to their causes while encouraging new members.

The Black Male Collective (BMC), inspired by the Black Male Initiative (BMI), could be seen near the DJ and makeshift stage, covered in whipped cream, being repeatedly pied in the face in an effort to fundraise. BMI was a learning village for black men on campus at Avent Ferry, but regardless of the change their mission stays the same.

The BMC describes part of their mission to give opportunities for people in our community to better themselves with professional workshops, offering mentorship and creating events for interaction and community on campus.

They meet monthly with their next meeting on Oct. 16.

The Office of Student Conduct is a center of resources and accountability. They work with students to uphold community standards and educate students on the impact of their conduct.  Students are referred to this office regarding matters of academic misconduct and non-academic misconduct revolving around sensitive matters such as alcohol, drugs, harassment, etc. 

A board member on the Student Conduct Board, Donna McLeod, a second year in biomedical engineering and mathematics, said, “Our office seems kind of big and scary by name, but honestly it’s not just issues where someone breaks conduct or is in trouble. It’s more of a place where we educate students on the resources that they have on campus.”

Another board member of the board, Julius Caldwell, a second year in electrical and computer engineering, said “But students generally do [go to the Student Conduct Board] because they want their peers because we generally have the same experiences. So they are usually hoping that the Student Conduct Board will change their sanctions.” 

This subunit of the Office of Student Conduct allows for easier access for students to connect with resources while enforcing student conduct. They recruit in the spring semester.

What does Harambee mean to you? 

Students and outsiders alike expressed great joy in the festivity and vibe of the event. Harambee is a swahili word that means community and coming together.

We asked everyone what the day meant to them, what this word means to them. 

Tsega Kumera, a first-year material science and engineering intent said, “Fellowship, community and definitely some munch. I really like the dancing, I’m big on dancing.”

Ellie Dela Cruz, a second-year student in business administration said, “An event that brings the community together and really just fosters a welcoming, fun environment.”

Harambee! 2025 was a success. With the blazing hot sun shining on the Harris field and the mingling, dancing and eating, folks were in good company. Harambee was achieved, alive and well, flowing through us in every sound of laughter, bite of food and snap of a fan.