Vote for Nia Froome for Black Enterprise’s Small Business Award!

• Mamma Nia’s Vegan Bakery
• President/CEO: Nia Froome (19)
• Location: Valley Stream, NY
• Type of Business: Vegan/Organic Cookies and Cupcakes

Nia Froome was determined to make vegan food accessible and delicious, inspired by her mother who gave up meat after a breast cancer diagnosis 12 years ago. The teen amateur baker and cook began altering cookie recipes and borrowed the catchy name of the musical Mamma Mia to inspire her company’s name. Today, the 19-year-old’s Mamma Nia’s Vegan Bakery specializes in cookies, cinnamon rolls, and cupcakes—all made without eggs or milk. Revenues for 2011 hit $7,000.

The House: A Rich and Inspiring History

Written by Joshua Penny, House Staff Historian, CC ‘13

Portion of quilt, handmade for the 40th Anniversary of the Afro-American Cultural Center at Yale.

It would be an understatement to say that history has been made in the walls of the Afro-American Cultural Center.  For years, 211 Park Street has been the center of black life on Yale’s campus.  Hundreds of students have passed through the center, each one leaving their own mark on the history of “the House”.

The House’s history extends far beyond its official opening in the fall of 1969.  In September of 1964, fourteen black male students matriculated to Yale, a record number for the time.  Thus, a distinctive black Yale culture was born.   Those same students lobbied the Yale administration for the creation of a designated space for the rising number of African American students.  In the spring of 1968, the proposed cultural center was approved.

For the growing number of black students, a cultural center was not enough.  They also sought opportunities to academically study their own history & culture. In that same spring, students from the Black Student Alliance at Yale submitted a proposal to the Yale College administration calling for the creation of an Afro-American Studies major at the university.  Yale College Dean Georges May appointed a planning committee, chaired by political science professor Robert A. Dahl and comprised of both undergraduates and faculty.  The planning committee reached an agreement by the fall of 1968.  On December 12th of the same year, the establishment of the new major was unanimously approved by the entire faculty and was officially offered to students in September of 1969.  This feat made Yale the first major university in the country to offer a degree conferring Afro-American studies major.

These were no small feats for the volatile 1960’s, an era of great social turmoil in the United States.  Indeed, the success of black students to establish a cultural center and push for the creation of the African American studies major signaled a change in the way students engaged with the university, with undergraduates themselves shaping the physical and cultural environment of the university. 

We experience a building through our senses. We can feel the smooth wood paneling of a wall, hear the echo of our voice in a hallway, and see the way beams of light and shadows dance across a stone floor. Nature insists that we turn to our senses to gain our first understanding of a place. Certainly, much can be gained from experiencing a space in this way, especially at 211 Park Street. However, relying solely on our senses at a place such as “the House” deprives of us of an even more holistic way to experience the space. I challenge you to take it a step further and experience 211 Park Street through a historical lens.  So next time you crack open a book in the House Library or relax on the plush couch in the Founders Room, remember to stop and consider the history of this special place. I guarantee that it’ll change the way you experience the House.

The House: A Rich and Inspiring History

Written by Joshua Penny, House Staff Historian, CC ‘13

Portion of quilt, handmade for the 40th Anniversary of the Afro-American Cultural Center at Yale.

It would be an understatement to say that history has been made in the walls of the Afro-American Cultural Center.  For years, 211 Park Street has been the center of black life on Yale’s campus.  Hundreds of students have passed through the center, each one leaving their own mark on the history of “the House”.

The House’s history extends far beyond its official opening in the fall of 1969.  In September of 1964, fourteen black male students matriculated to Yale, a record number for the time.  Thus, a distinctive black Yale culture was born.   Those same students lobbied the Yale administration for the creation of a designated space for the rising number of African American students.  In the spring of 1968, the proposed cultural center was approved.

For the growing number of black students, a cultural center was not enough.  They also sought opportunities to academically study their own history & culture. In that same spring, students from the Black Student Alliance at Yale submitted a proposal to the Yale College administration calling for the creation of an Afro-American Studies major at the university.  Yale College Dean Georges May appointed a planning committee, chaired by political science professor Robert A. Dahl and comprised of both undergraduates and faculty.  The planning committee reached an agreement by the fall of 1968.  On December 12th of the same year, the establishment of the new major was unanimously approved by the entire faculty and was officially offered to students in September of 1969.  This feat made Yale the first major university in the country to offer a degree conferring Afro-American studies major.

These were no small feats for the volatile 1960’s, an era of great social turmoil in the United States.  Indeed, the success of black students to establish a cultural center and push for the creation of the African American studies major signaled a change in the way students engaged with the university, with undergraduates themselves shaping the physical and cultural environment of the university. 

We experience a building through our senses. We can feel the smooth wood paneling of a wall, hear the echo of our voice in a hallway, and see the way beams of light and shadows dance across a stone floor. Nature insists that we turn to our senses to gain our first understanding of a place. Certainly, much can be gained from experiencing a space in this way, especially at 211 Park Street. However, relying solely on our senses at a place such as “the House” deprives of us of an even more holistic way to experience the space. I challenge you to take it a step further and experience 211 Park Street through a historical lens.  So next time you crack open a book in the House Library or relax on the plush couch in the Founders Room, remember to stop and consider the history of this special place. I guarantee that it’ll change the way you experience the House.

The Afro-American Cultural Center: A Comprehensive Look

Written by Kesewaa Boateng, House Staff Member, CC ‘15

The Afro-American Cultural Center at Yale is much more than a physical center for Black students; it is the manifestation of an interminable yearning for understanding, cultural acceptance, and comprehensive betterment.  The House originally called “Afro-America” was established in 1969.  What was initially an attempt on the Class of 1968’s part to bring black students from all over the Northeast to Yale for a weekend of social exploration and fun, transformed into a politically driven catalyst; what was previously a social event was now a platform for major political initiatives in the black community. In the midst of this transformation the Yale Discussion Group on Negro Affairs was born. By 1966 the organization had matured, gained structural solidity, and became what we now know as The Black Students Alliance at Yale.  Members of the BSAY worked to remedy the stigmas of life as a black student at Yale, they did this by creating tangible objectives: Firstly, to increase black enrollment. An increase in black enrollment would further enrich the culture of the black community at Yale—more black students meant a larger community capable of furthering the cause and a greater representation of the black populace outside of Yale. Secondly, to develop African-American studies. Thirdly, to create and maintain strong relations with the black community of New Haven; taking advantage of Yale’s resources and using them for the betterment of the community that surrounded campus was and still is paramount.

A strong sense of obligation to better not only the academic and social lives of black Yalies, but also of the underprivileged members of the New Haven community necessitated the achievement of this objective particularly. The condition of the black community of New Haven was and still is pertinent to the black students at Yale. We are concerned with rendering our experience not only a comprehensive academic revolution, but also ensuring that the cultural, social, and political climate—what makes this specific community distinct—of the black community sustains itself in an evident way; We can fix what needs to fixed and glorify and proliferate what benefits our society as long as both facets are understood, discussed, and kept at the forefront of our mission. The last objective of the BSAY was the establishment of the Afro American Cultural Center at Yale. It was imperative that a location accessible to students and New Haven locals was established; somewhere where ameliorating the problems black students at Yale face could be tackled and addressed in the physical. Black students could gather and express themselves in an organized fashion in an organized setting.

            The House—a nickname telling of the homely sentiment it is renowned for—became much more than a medium for organized expression and political initiatives. It became a haven for black students; A deterrent for the disintegration of Afro-American, Afro-Caribbean, and African culture. A home for those who considered themselves lost among the majority of Yale’s population; a fortification of remembrance and enlightenment. It still is till this very day. Joshua Penny a junior in Davenport, staff member at The House, and president of BSAY can attest to the legacy of the role The House plays in its members’ lives.   “The House has truly been a home away from home for me.  Since the first day of freshman year, the House has been a place for me to seek refuge from the day-to-day pressures of being a Yale student and create lasting friendships with people who will be in my life for years beyond graduation.”

            To Jasmine Simington a sophomore in Trumbull College, the House plays a fairly different role: “The house means most to me in its role as an educator.  Whether it be cultural awareness, academic teachings, or life lessons, I often find myself in awe of
the wisdom I encounter through friends, speakers, and performances within the
Afro-American Cultural Center.”

For LaTisha Campbell it is all of these things: “The Afro-American Cultural Center is one of the most important spaces at Yale for me.  I could not imagine my time here without it.  The House is a place for real community with students and New Haven residents, learning and experience in varied ways, and countless memories with people that have become like family.  It is a place for growth, servant leadership, and reflection, a standing reminder of the legacy of black students of the past.  It is a huge part of why I came to Yale and it certainly has not disappointed.  I truly love the House.”

              What is most beautiful and inspiring about The House is its ability to mean so many different things to different students while maintaining its core function: a place that is a physical dedication to the legacy of black student life at Yale. A testament to our struggle and our progress…what we have done and what we have yet to do. For every student that chooses to be a part of The House it takes on a new meaning…morphs into the most fitting function for that particular member while serving as an informational and socially complex storehouse for the most thorough exploration of the African Diaspora. 

“The Pearl of Asian Adventures” - Reflections on the YUNA Exchange Program

Written by Shamillah Bankiya, MC ‘12

As seen in the Annual 211 Park Street Newsletter. Pick up your copy at the Af-Am House Today!

The Yale University New Asia Exchange program (YUNA) has, without a doubt, been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my sophomore year. The program brings together 8 Yale students and 8 students from the New Asia College of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to engage in cultural exchange for a total of one month. Four months ago, we began planning to host our fellow program participants. We organized meals for our peers as well as different activities, both academic and casual for the students.

Even after all of the planning, I was not fully prepared for their arrival on a snowy January evening. The group of Yale students and New Asia students got along really well right away, with jokes, laughter, and eagerness to learn about each other. In those first two weeks, the New Asia students learned from us about the United States, centering on the year’s theme of “Capitalism and Society”. I found, however, that I learned even more from them about Hong Kong, Mainland China and Macau, and the interesting diversity of problems associated with each region. I also learned a lot from the events that my fellow Yale students had organized: it is highly unlikely, for example, that I would have visited “Occupy New Haven” if a fellow Yalie hadn’t coordinated a visit for the New Asia students.

This, however, was not the end of my learning experience. At the beginning of spring break, we, the Yale students, traveled all the way to Hong Kong. The 14-hour flight was well worth the jetlag! We arrived to the hospitality of New Asia College’s “Friendship Lounge”, which would be our home for the following two weeks, and to the kindness and enthusiasm of our New Asia fellow program participants.

On the academic side of the program, capitalism and its manifestation in Hong Kong could not have been better represented. We attended lectures by numerous influential people such as Honorable Jasper Tsang, the President of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, Dr. Gao Xi, an exiled mainland Chinese activist, and Professor Stan Wong, a political science professor at CUHK. We learned about the interaction of business and government in Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong social security dilemma. We toured “Occupy Central” (a movement mirroring “Occupy Wall Street”), spoke to local organizers, and were reminded of the existence of social inequality in this highly developed Asian pearl. Additionally, Prof. Gordon Matthews, a lecturer in the Anthropology department at CUHK showed us around Chungking Mansions, revealing a side of Hong Kong to us that we might never have discovered individually.

Our academic journey on capitalism took us to Macau, a special administrative region of Mainland China that is renown for grandiose casinos that line the city. The CUHK students introduced us to this region during the Yale YUNA Symposium. We toured a casino and spoke to a professor of gaming at the Macau National University. We began to understand the necessity of gambling to Macau, and the enormous boost in GDP that the economy had enjoyed after opening up its boundaries to foreign casino enterprises. I marveled at the interesting blend of Portuguese and Cantonese culture in the area from the architecture with its arcs and dips to the utilization of Portuguese in the region’s law. The cuisine was, of course, also an interesting blend of sauces and seasoning that drew from the East and the Mediterranean. My appreciation for the fusion was enhanced by the fact that we had already sampled numerous Cantonese dishes in Hong Kong, such as dim sum, the 1,000 year old egg, lo mein, as well as interesting cuisine from Tai O, a fishing village in Lantau Island.

But the most outstanding portion of the program was the sincere cultural exchange that we shared with the New Asian students. Capitalism and its effects were given a face in the New Asian students as well as Mr. Fok, the Hong Kong Program Manager of YUNA, through numerous conversations. More importantly, however, the New Asia students became our friends. I visited the home of my pen pal, Charles, and was received so warmly by his family. It was like I was an old friend with students that I had only met a few months ago. It was sad to leave, but I definitely had a most enjoyable spring break with the YUNA program in Hong Kong. Many thanks to New Asia College and Yale-China for making this a possibility, and I hope that many more will continue to benefit from this enriching experience. 

If anyone is interested in applying for this program, please feel free to shoot me an email at shamillah.bankiya@yale.edu.

Afro-American Cultural Center: House Tour

 Written by A.T. McWilliams, House Staff Member, MC ‘12

Banquet Room

As the House’s most spacious room, the Banquet Room hosts the majority of the cultural center’s large-scale events. It contains a 75-foot ceiling, gothic windows, and wood paneling which offers the hall a comfortable feel. It has hosted up to 130 people during formal “sit-down” events, but can hold up to 220 people for “stand-up” events, such as parties or various social events. The space’s utility remains immensely flexible. The Banquet Room is has also been used for formal, theatre performance, film showings, conferences events. Many best know the Banquet Room as the home of the “Black Church at Yale.”           

Caption: The Banquet Room, view from balcony.

Gallery

The Gallery, found on the second floor of the House, is typically used to display art work and various exhibits from artists both within and outside of the Yale community. It currently contains a photography exhibit displaying powerful images of “Beautiful Black Women,” contributed by a Yale alum, and will likely remain for the next few weeks. The Gallery is quite large, and is also useful for receptions, meetings, and readings. In example, Yale’s premier performance poetry group “WORD” has used the Gallery for their Fall and Spring events for the last several years. 

Caption: The Gallery, view without exhibit/event

Library

Located on the second floor, the Library a large variety of books and literary works focused on myriad issues within the Black Diaspora. In addition to being an unbelievable academic resource, the Library is a comfortable place that is perfect for studying, meetings, and generally spending time with friends and colleagues. 

The Founder’s Room

Across the hall from the Banquet Room is the House’s Founder’s Room. While not as large as the Banquet Room (with a potential capacity between 85 and 100), the Founder’s Room contains a great deal of character and meaning for the House. In addition to containing portrait memorials to the House’s esteemed founders, it boasts an ornate ceiling, windows looking onto Pierson College and the Yale Cabaret, and beautiful wood paneling. In terms of functionality, the Founder’s Room can serve all purposes served by the Banquet Room, and provides yet another option for members of the Yale community interested in utilizing the space.

Caption: Yale’s African Dance Troupe, Konjo!, practicing in The Founder’s Room 

The Lighten Room (Game Room)

Funded through the generosity of William (‘86) and Janifer (‘83) Lighten is the Lighten Room, better known as the “Game Room” to Yale students. This room is easily the House’s most comfortable space, and is consistently used as a “hang out” or recreational space by students of all years. The room includes a sizable television with projector hook-up, various video games, couches, and bean-bag chairs. Many student organizations prefer this room for student organization meetings because it provides a discernable sense of “home” for all students who occupy it. 

Caption: The Lighten Room, general view of space.

Seminar Rooms

In the basement of the House are two “seminar rooms,” typically used for student organization meetings, and tutoring through the Urban Improvement Corps. One of the seminar rooms is especially popular because of its colorful mural of black America musicians throughout history, painted by Yale Alum Faith Briggs (’10). Although these rooms cannot be reserved, they are perfect for a small student group meeting or event, or an informal late night study session. 

Caption: One seminar room including mural of Black musicians through history. 

The Black Student Alliance at Yale (BSAY): A Year in Review

Written by Kiki Ochieng, BSAY Executive Board Member, SM ‘15

          Before I arrived on campus for my freshman year at Yale, I was convinced that I would love everything about the school except for New Haven. On top of a cold and rainy first impression at Bulldog Days, any conversation that I had with people back home about the city of New Haven left me unenthused about spending the next few years there. These conversations made a great impression upon me and for that reason I didn’t wander of campus until it came time for me to find a barbershop. That sentiment would soon change radically as I got involved with the Black Student Alliance at Yale (BSAY).

          BSAY is at heart a cultural organization, but its mission includes both enhancing the social life of black students and using political tactics to advocate for equality across the city of New Haven. In the Black Student Alliance, I found an organization in which its members actively sought to bridge the disconnection between Yale and New Haven.

        In the past year alone, BSAY has created a $1000 scholarship award for local students who were previously incarcerated and established a pardon’s clinic at City Hall to help those seeking to expunge their criminal records. Perhaps the most symbolic project that the organization has used to build relationships with the New Haven community was a march and rally held on the steps of City Hall for Trayvon Martin and in support of racial profiling bills before the Connecticut General Assembly. A crowd of 400 New Haven residents, Yalies, and students from other local colleges participated in the march.

        In addition to the advocacy opportunities that BSAY offers, the organization also provides amazing bonding opportunities to get to know a diverse group of Yale students through Fresh Prince of Bel Air study breaks, amazing parties, and thought provoking discussions on a wide range of topics. As I wrap up my junior year at Yale, I can confidently say that BSAY truly has something for everyone and I encourage you to get more involved, especially if you’re looking for a chance to get to know the city of New Haven in a more intimate way.

BSC Conference Board Positions Now Open!

Greetings!

              On Saturday, April 28th 2012, the 2012 Black Solidarity Conference Board will hold elections for the Board of our 18th Annual Conference. If you’ve ever wanted to be involved in shaping Yale’s largest annual undergraduate-run Conference, then this is your opportunity to do so! Make your voice heard and make a difference on Yale’s campus by shaping the discourse of 700 students from all over the country!

            In my three years on board, I’ve had the opportunity to meet Drs. Michael Eric Dyson, Cornel West and Angela Davis as well as J. Cole, Big Sean, and Travis Porter. I’ve networked with incredible panelists, met tons of new friends from different schools, and most importantly, spent the most incredible meetings planning and bonding with some of  the greatest and most dedicated groups of people at Yale.  

              The election process is as follows: I will accept nominations via email until Friday, April 27th at 5pm. You can nominate yourself, your friends, and anyone else you think would be interested in serving on this board in any position. After nominations close, I will contact all candidates and request a short position paper.  These should only be about a paragraph long, describing position(s) of interest, why you want to become involved, your commitments for next year, and what you can contribute to the board next year if elected. After I have received a candidate’s position paper, I will email the candidate with an interview time.  Interviews will be held Saturday, April 28th in the Afam House Lighten Room and will last about 10 minutes.

              The positions that are up for election include Vice President, Financial Coordinator, Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator, Events Coordinator, Outreach and Housing Coordinator, Speakers Coordinator and Publicist.  Along with these seven positions, we will also be electing four Co-coordinator positions. Rising sophomores must fill the Co-coordinator positions. Below you will find an excerpt from the Constitution containing a detailed description of each position.

              Feel free to contact me with any questions you have regarding the election process or BSC in general. Check out www.yale.edu/bsc to learn about the most recent conference. I look forward to hearing from you and can’t wait to welcome you on board!

In Solidarity,

Brittany Murrell

Vice-President, Black Solidarity Conference

404-956-4755

brittany.murrell@yale.edu

1. The responsibilities of the officers are defined as follows:
1. The President shall be the chief officer of the Black Solidarity Conference and shall exercise supervision and control of the planning and execution of the Conference. The President shall be the official spokesperson of the Conference.  The president will be responsible for keeping the bank account active by making a small monthly purchase with the Board’s credit card.
2. The Vice-President shall assist the President and assume his or her duties when the President is unable to serve.  The Vice-President should become familiarized with the various positions on board in order to facilitate any tasks that need to be completed prior to and during Conference.
3. The Financial Coordinator shall have general charge of the financial affairs of the Conference, and shall keep accurate records of these affairs.  The Financial Coordinator is required to create and maintain an accurate budget, an expense log, and manage cash flows. In addition, the Financial Coordinator is responsible for procuring all Yale funds, including but not limited to the President’s and Dean’s Office, Academic Departments, Residential College Masters and Deans, and Dwight Hall. The Financial Coordinator is required to submit a written financial report monthly.
4. The Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator shall be responsible for creating, maintaining, and securing non-Yale corporate sponsorship for the conference. 
5. The Events Coordinator shall be responsible for organizing the logistical details of each event during the conference.
6. The Outreach and Housing Coordinator shall be responsible for garnering and maintaining contacts with potential conference participants. In addition, the Outreach and Housing Coordinator will oversee the provision of housing.
7. The Publicist shall keep a record of all meetings and distribute meeting minutes in a timely fashion. The Publicist will also manage any official statements of communications on behalf of the Conference. The Publicist is responsible for compiling, maintaining, and updating all records pertaining to the conference. Further, the Publicist shall design the conference program booklet.
8. The Speakers Coordinator should secure all speakers for the Conference and make all necessary travel and housing arrangements for visiting speakers.
9. The Co-Coordinators will be responsible for assisting the chief coordinators of the aforementioned sub-committees.
10. The Freshmen Ambassadors will be responsible for assisting all board members with assigned duties in the few days leading up to Conference in an effort to minimize logistical issues. 

AACColades 2012: WEDNESDAY at 5:30 PM!

Just us for the Annual Achievement Awards Celebration (AACColades). At this ceremony, awards will be presented to outstanding African, Afro-Caribbean and African American freshman, sophomores and juniors who have realized outstanding scholastic achievement, or exceptional accomplishments in athletics, community service, artistry, and/or leadership within the Yale or New Haven communities. Dinner is guaranteed for all who have RSVP’d!

*NOTE: If you have not RSVP’d you may still attend this event; however, you will not be guaranteed a plate!

“The People Make the Experience” – Freshman Reflection

Written by Denzil Bernard, House Staff Member, TC ‘15

 As seen in the Annual 211 Park Street Newsletter, now available at the House!

            Prior to college decision day last year, the prospect of attending Yale may honestly have been the last thing on my mind. But when I found out about my Yale admission, a brief moment of numbing euphoria was closely following by a series of hopes and fears. “Would the community meet my expectations? Would I get enough financial aid (a very real concern)? Will Yale provide me with the best opportunity to grow as an individual and a community? Most importantly, would Yale feel like a home to me?”

            A year later, I can sincerely say that each of these hopes and concerns have been met sufficiently, and indeed have been surpassed on many accounts. The genuine excitement and enthusiasm that Yale expressed for my class’ arrival during Bulldog Day’s was almost overwhelming. I really felt that I could be apart of this community from day one, and each event I attended at Bulldog days reinforced this truth.

            More than the school itself, I was, and continue to be, impressed by the drive, the sincerity, and the potential for greatness that I observe every day from my peers and community members. There is a tangible commitment to excellence that Yalies possess, and it is a constant source of drive and inspiration for me. While this may seem daunting, and indeed can be, I remember the amazing resources that Yale provides, such as Freshman Counselors, College Deans and Masters, and a multitude of other academic and career oriented resources whose sole purpose is to ensure that I in fact do succeed in finding a comfortable niche here.

            At the end of the day, the people make the experience, and this was the root of my decision to attend Yale. I hope you decide to join us in the fall!