As Black History Month comes to a close, I want to take a moment to talk about some of my favorite events hosted at Harvard during Black History Month.
The first event is one I hold dear to my heart and organized myself! Growing up, folktales were a huge part of my childhood, I remember sitting in a circle with my siblings as my dad and uncle shared Ghanaian stories about Ananse, the clever trickster spider who shaped the world in unexpected ways. Those memories gave me a love for storytelling at a young age, and when I came to Harvard, I knew I wanted to create a space where others could share and celebrate their own cultural folktales. Through the Harvard Foundation, I was able to bring this vision to life with Fireside Stories: Folktale Stories from the Black Diaspora. I started the event last year, and this year, our audience tripled with over 75 students packed into Grays basement to hear folktale stories from Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, African American traditions, and beyond.
And of course, we couldn’t have an evening like that without amazing food! We enjoyed delicious Ethiopian, Ghanaian, Nigerian, and Soul food which were also definitely a highlight of the night. If you're reading this, keep an eye out for Fireside Stories next year and join us!
To close out Black History Month, the Harvard Foundation hosted an incredible vegan cooking demo with Girl on Fire Vegan and it did not disappoint!
Chef Whitney treated us to mouthwatering vegan mac and cheese, pasta, and Oreo cheesecake. As someone who doesn’t eat vegan food, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
Throughout the year, the Harvard Foundation has been hosting cultural cooking demos that celebrate diverse cuisines and stories, and they’ve quickly become a favorite of mine. Each chef not only prepares a traditional dish live, but also shares personal stories and the cultural significance behind the food. It’s a fun, interactive way to learn something new, connect with others, and try incredible meals. This school year, we’ve had cooking demos featuring Brazilian, Native American, and Black cuisines-all fully vegan! For the Black History Month event, Chef Whitney spoke about how many of our everyday favorites can easily be made plant-based, without sacrificing flavor. I left the event with a full stomach, a new perspective on vegan food, and a few recipes I’m excited to try myself.
If you’re someone who loves trying new food and learning about different cultures, be sure to follow the Harvard Foundation Instagram and join us next time. The vibes are always great, the food is always delicious, and you’ll definitely walk away with something new.
Finally, a special shoutout to one of my favorite annual events organized by the Black Student Association: The Black Legacy Ball. The gala celebrates Black culture and honors the achievements of Black students, faculty, and leaders both at Harvard and beyond. It is held at a stunning venue with delicious food, and it’s always a night to remember. One of my favorite parts is watching the performances, whether it’s singers, poets, or instrumentalists, I’m always blown away by the incredible talent in our community. And yes, I have to mention the 360 photo booth where you pose with your friends and get that spinning video moment. It might sound silly, but it’s genuinely one of my favorite parts of the night!
The evening usually ends with awards recognizing students and community members doing amazing work in their community, and we always have an inspiring keynote speaker. My freshman year, it was Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson (still can’t believe that!), and this year, it was Ibram X. Kendi-both were unforgettable. Through this event, I’ve made new friends, celebrated the brilliance of my peers, and I always leave feeling inspired. I highly recommend every student attend at least once to experience the joy of Black excellence and community.
