For years the Pan-Afrikan Student Organization (PASO), has thrown one of the biggest events on campus; Africa Night. The annual celebration, known for bringing in over 300 people every year, helps highlight many of the different cultures in Africa, while raising awareness for the African culture within the Gustavus Community.
Africa Night is often the busiest night of the year for PASO members. This is especially true for Junior Economics Major Jeanetta Langhorne. As the chair for Africa Night and one of next year’s Co-Presidents, she has her hands filled.
“It’s been very busy and stressful. As PASO’s signature event and even Gustavus’ bringing in 300-400 people a year, it’s a lot to rest on your shoulders. On the night of the event, everything we have done leading up to it is so worth it,” Langhorne said.
The specifics of the event change every year, the biggest changes come with the food and performances. As the food for the past few years has been mostly East African based, the organization is expanding their diversity within their food options with the addition of West African food.
The performances this year will also be more student based, with only two outside groups performing versus the five present during Langhorne’s first year. Working incredibly hard to get the performers and food together for the celebration, PASO and Africa Night clearly mean a lot to Langhorne.
“PASO has meant everything for me. It really has developed me as a person and I really appreciate the entire experience. Africa Night is a celebration of how beautiful the African culture is. It’s not one thing but many things. Fifty-five countries and every single one is culturally diverse and beautiful,” Langhorne stated.
PASO has been a part of Gustavus since the 1960s, first known as Black Student Organization (BSO), and has been passed down through the ages. Awushie Fayose, Junior Sociology and Anthropology Major, has continued the legacy this past year as one of the co-presidents.
The planning for African Night began right after the last one, and required the entire organization’s efforts. This event is only one of the five big events hosted by PASO every year including Our Story, Kwanzaa, Black History Month, and Rediscovering Hip Hop. PASO has always been a signature family for all of the members, the display of culture is incredibly important for Gustavus.
“We put a lot of our soul into it. I really feel they are getting the authentic experience. Africa Night is really built around the food, music and dancing. It’s reflective of not only continental countries but African American culture too. As one of the five major events, all our events are reflective of this. There is joy in Africa and joy in being African and the audience would be doing themselves a disservice if they weren’t able to take something new away from the experience,” Fayose said.
For Awushie, the community aspect and personal development provided by PASO has been a significant part of her journey within Gustavus.
“The biggest thing PASO represents is a family and community. As a direct and ready connection to Africa, it really provides everyone the ability to be welcomed. It’s really been a launching pad for my own development. I was able to discover myself and my leadership skills. Most importantly all of my best friends, I have found here,” Fayose said.
Over the past few years Sophomore and Russian Major Janet Jennings, invested in the dancing for Africa Night. Practicing since October, the dancers perform a series of eight, high-end pieces. They are now practicing almost every day. For Janet, it has been the patience along with time and care that has brought the entire group where they are now. Jennings believes they can confidently get on stage.
“PASO is full of acceptance and I wouldn’t have had as good enough experiences if it wasn’t for it. Learning through all the events we go through and activities such as what flags correlate with the countries of Africa, it’s my mantra to learn something new every day. In addition to learning to be accountable for money as treasurer this year, next year as DLC rep I will be able to learn even more,” Jennings stated.
Africa Night will also be supporting the Starfish Project. Looking for clothes and school supplies, any donations made will be provided to exploited women within Africa.
Africa Night will be open for anyone to attend and will be taking place this Friday, March 13 from 6-9 p.m. in Alumni Hall. The celebration will continue with the Afro-Beats Dive hosted by PASO.
-Dan Vruno