Cultural Engagement

The Office of Intercultural Relations is committed to the cultural inclusion of our Black students. Our programs and events are created to raise the awareness of social justice paradigms and celebrate the diversity within the African Diaspora. Students are welcome to share their cultural experiences.

Annual Sankofa Black Student Reception is a celebration with the spirit of an old Ghanian proverb. Sankofa means that we reach back and reclaim what our past has to teach us. Join student leaders, faculty, alumni and administrators as we connect about the memories of the past and take what we need from those lessons and move forward.

The African Student Association celebrates African culture through clothing. Students model Afro-centric designs created by local fashion designers and student fashion designers on the runway. Students can also enjoy authentic African cuisine during this cultural event.

First year students and returning students gather to see the different organizations on campus that represent the African-American culture. Students get a taste of what each organization has to offer and have the opportunity to connect and engage with other fellow monarchs in a family style gathering.

The annual celebration of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. is celebrated by the ODU community and members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. which Dr. King belonged to. Member of the community are invited to attend a peaceful march to honor the contributions of of peace that was the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Umoja conference, derived from the Swahili word for "unity," merges the Sisterhood Symposium and the Black Male Summit into one program under the theme of "Masculinity, Femininity, One Entity." The two-day Umoja conference will feature guest speakers, workshops and cultural events designed to enhance unification among black students. It is open to all colleges and universities as well as various community groups. Students will have the opportunity to network with workshop presenters, members of the black community and students from other schools.

Annual Sankofa Black Student Reception is a celebration with the spirit of an old Ghanian proverb. Sankofa means that we reach back and reclaim what our past has to teach us. Join student leaders, faculty, alumni and administrators as we connect about the memories of the past and take what we need from those lessons and move forward.

The African Student Association celebrates African culture through clothing. Students model Afro-centric designs created by local fashion designers and student fashion designers on the runway. Students can also enjoy authentic African cuisine during this cultural event.

First year students and returning students gather to see the different organizations on campus that represent the African-American culture. Students get a taste of what each organization has to offer and have the opportunity to connect and engage with other fellow monarchs in a family style gathering.

The annual celebration of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. is celebrated by the ODU community and members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. which Dr. King belonged to. Member of the community are invited to attend a peaceful march to honor the contributions of of peace that was the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Umoja conference, derived from the Swahili word for "unity," merges the Sisterhood Symposium and the Black Male Summit into one program under the theme of "Masculinity, Femininity, One Entity." The two-day Umoja conference will feature guest speakers, workshops and cultural events designed to enhance unification among black students. It is open to all colleges and universities as well as various community groups. Students will have the opportunity to network with workshop presenters, members of the black community and students from other schools.