The Nordic Lounge was packed to the brim on Thursday with people, the sweet smell of BBQ and infectious tribal rhythms during Long Beach City College’s Black Heritage Kickoff event. 

Dr. Lee Douglas, Vice President of academic affairs, kicked off the celebration with an educational speech that highlighted the origins of Black History Month. 

Douglas explained that February was chosen as the month of Black Heritage celebration as a means of paying homage to two Americans who played integral roles in shaping Black History, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. 

While taking in the crowd, Douglas expressed his gratitude for seeing everyone coming together like a family to break bread and celebrate one another. 

“I can’t tell you how much I needed this,” Douglas said. “In spite of any outside factors, at least we have family.”

Following the welcome speech, five West African drummers performed a series of traditional songs and dances.

For the performers, being able to participate in events like LBCC’s Black Heritage Kickoff allows them to keep their culture alive. 

Considering how easy it is to lose certain aspects of cultural identity through the process of assimilation, music has been especially grounding to the performers.  

“When you know where you come from nothing can shake you,” said Kosi Williams, who danced alongside the drummers. “Our mothers and fathers did this before us and raised us in it. We want to pass on our culture, it is a part of us.” 

After the performance, Chrisaad Moye, a counselor for UMOJA, a social club for African Americans on campus, led everyone in a libation ceremony. 

The ceremony centered around water as a means to honor deceased ancestors and began with the host asking an elder for permission to speak, as prescribed by tradition.

To start, Moye turned to Black History Month Tri-Chair, Dr. Erania Freeman who granted him permission to commence.

“Water is pure. It has no enemies,” Moye said. “Speak the name of your ancestor and as I pour water into this plant, you all say ASE (Ah-Shay).”

From each corner of the room, audience members called out the names of their ancestors and Moye obliged by pouring water into a potted plant. 

Each time a name was called out, water was poured and per Moye’s instructions, the audience chanted a sacred word “ase” which means “so be it”. 

The libation ceremony is just one example of the many ways UMOJA seeks to connect Black students to their heritage. 

UMOJA was well represented at the celebration with a booth manned by a few of its members. 

“Our main goal is to create a safe space for people to feel welcome. To provide educational resources and ultimately provide in all aspects for black students,” said UMOJA member, Joannah McLarty.

Following the performances and speeches, attendees queued up to get a plate of free food, provided courtesy of Hambones Smokehouse, a local eatery that specializes in traditional Southern inspired cuisine, known as soul food. 

Plates were loaded up with mac and cheese, a choice of BBQ ribs or chicken, and a bread roll. 

“It’s always nice to come back and do this for the students and also represent,” said Keenan Handy, owner and operator of Hambones.  “You know, a lot of people claim soul food but it doesn’t always have soul. These are recipes I’ve been using for 32 years.”

Soul food is an integral part of Black history that originated in the South during the early days of slavery. 

Unwanted scraps of meat like ham hocks and collarbone were cooked down and made palpable along with ingredients like collard greens, a bitter leafy vegetable traditionally cooked with pork to add flavor. 

At LBCC’s Black Heritage Kickoff, R&B tunes provided the soundtrack to a room of faculty and students who enjoyed food and danced with one another. 

For President Mike Munoz, the kickoff is just one of a few ways he plans to promote Black representation on campus. 

“For me, I think it’s really significant as a college to have cultural heritage. We want all of our students to feel welcomed, belong and valued,” Munoz said.