Welcome to the 3rd Annual Celebrate Africa & African Diaspora Festival
September 18–20, 2025
Starting Thursday, September 18, there will be events around campus celebrating Africa and the African Diaspora Community leading up to the Celebrate Africa Festival on September 20! Keep checking back to this page for schedule updates.
Join us for the three exciting days of culture, connection, and celebration! Enjoy free live music and dance performances, authentic African cuisine, artisan markets, fashion showcases, children’s activities, and opportunities to network with local African and African Diaspora businesses, churches, and organizations.
Thursday, September 18
Ghana Delegation Visit
10:00 – 11:30 AM | Croghan - Schenley Ballroom, Cathedral of Learning
Ghana Delegation Brunch with CAS Faculty/Staff
12:00 – 1:00 PM | Nationality Rooms, Cathedral of Learning
Ghana Delegation Nationality Rooms Tour
Academic Dialogues & Community Reflections (Register to attend)
1:00 – 2:00 PM | 4217 Posvar Hall
The Impossible Project by Dr. Dalia Muller – Director of Center for Ethnic Studies Research and Associate Professor of Department of Africana Studies
2:00 – 4:00 PM | Africana Studies Classroom, 4165 Posvar Hall
Undergraduate Research & Experience Showcase by Katie Boyes – Research on Climate Change in Senegal, and Alivia Pierce – Experiences of Black women in England. Organized by Dr. Gamby Camara.
Graduate Reflections from the New Doctoral Program, organized by Oronde Sherif, MSW
4:00 – 5:00 PM | Africana Studies Common Space
Reception and Networking: Enjoy light bites and an opportunity to meet presenters, faculty and community partners
Friday, September 19
Morning Session (Register to attend)
9:00 – 10:00 AM | Connelly Ballroom, Alumni Hall
Keynote Address by Dr. Assan Sarr - Director of Center for African Studies and Department of History Associate Professor
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Posvar Hall (Room TBA)
Senegal Trip Experience: Student and Faculty Presentations, organized by Dr. Tiffany Gary-Webb - Provost Faculty Fellow and Department Epidemiology Professor, and Dr. Kyaien Conner - Director of Center on Race and Social Problems
12:00 – 1:00 PM | (Room TBA)
Lunch
Afternoon–Evening Program
Celebrate Africa Festival Kick-Off – Posvar Hall
3:30 – 5:30 PM | 5601 Posvar Hall
Community & Faculty Panel: “Bridging the Gap Between Africans and the African Diaspora”
Pitt Faculty Panelists: Dr. Felix Germain, Dr. Kyaien Conner, Dr. Leonora Anyango, Dr. Abi (TBD)
Community Panelists: Rev. Andrews A. Amoh, Prince Gordon Manker, Bomani Howze, Dr. Gamwo, Kola (TBT), Dr. Abia (TBT). Facilitators: Dr. Patrick Dongmo, Ms. Samantha Black
6:00 – 10:00 PM | Gallery, Ground Floor, Posvar Hall
African Fashion Show - A stunning showcase of culture, design, and identity!
Saturday, September 20
Full-Day Celebrate Africa Festival
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Posvar Hall Patio
African Market & Cultural Showcase
Arts & Crafts
Food Vendors
Country and Information Tables
Cultural Performances
Grand Durbar Ceremony
Children Activities
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Posvar Hall Patio
Grand Durbar Highlights
Opening Ceremony & Welcome Remarks
Keynote Speech: “Reconnecting with Our Ancestral Roots”
Traditional Drumming, Dance, and Storytelling
Ancestry Reveal Ceremony
Youth Performances & Cultural Demonstrations
Closing Ceremony & Group Photo
Vendor Registration - Sign UP Now!
If you are interested in tabling outdoors as a vendor, performer, or community representative at the Posvar Hall Patio on Saturday, September 20, please read over these guidelines. Once you have reviewed the document in its entirety, fill out a registration form here! Space is limited; registration will be closed once we have reached full capacity.
Volunteer Registration - Sign Up as a Volunteer –Here
Students, Faculty, Staff, and members of the community, this is a great opportunity for you to volunteer and be part of this year’s Celebrate Africa Festival on Friday, September 19, and Saturday, September 20. The contribution of your time and talents is crucial to the success of our event, and we are so excited to have you as a part of our team!
For inquiries, contact:
Susan Ngbabare
Outreach Engagement Coordinator
SMN63@pitt.edu | 412-383-4289 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors & Partners
African Graduate Students Union
Center for Ethnic Studies Research
Center for Latin American Studies
David C. Frederick Honors College
Department of Africana Studies
Nationality Rooms & Intercultural Exchange Programs
Office of Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement and Leadership Development
School of Law Center for International Legal Education
Keystone Alliance
Union of African Communities in Southwest Pennsylvania
Check out Celebrate Africa 2024!
September 27 & 28
See highlights from Celebrate Africa 2022!
