Under the baobab: Listening to the heartbeat of our mothers and more
“We are closer to them because our children hear their mother’s heartbeats from the inside.”- Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin
We hope you had a blessed Easter holiday. It is also APIDA (Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi American) Heritage Month and when Penn State celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride Month. We are blessed as a country and a community to be so diverse.
As we close out Women’s History Month, it is inspiring to recognize how fortunate we are to live in this community where so many enlightened women have contributed to our mutual development. Starting with Neeli Bendapudi, the president of Penn State, the most important institution in West Central PA. She is one of only four women of the Big Ten’s 14 CEOs. She is presently steering Penn State through an economic tempest that will transform this region and the commonwealth.
Coach Carolyn Kieger successfully guided the women’s basketball team through the first three rounds of the WBIT tournament. Led by seniors Ashley Owusu and Makenna Marisa, and juniors Leilani Kapinus and Ali Campbell, they play Villanova in the semifinals in Indianapolis on Monday. Go Lady Lions!
The Africana Research Center under the direction of Prof. Sinfree Makoni held the inaugural Osaze Osagie Memorial Lecture before a packed Hintz Family Alumni Center. The theme was on Black Communities and Mental Health. Professors Iyun and Sylvester Osagie, the parents of Osaze, were in attendance. Savita Iyer-Ahrestani, senior editor of the Penn Stater magazine, led the discussion with keynote speaker, Sybrina Fulton, racial justice activist and mother of Trayvon Martin. Fulton, founder of the support organization, Circle of Mothers, asked that the community support the Osagies in their struggle with ongoing grief. Clarence Lang, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, gave opening remarks and State College Mayor Ezra Nanes delivered closing remarks.
Penn State alumna and Emmy Award winning sports journalist Lisa Salters was the final Forum Speaker of the year. Her presentation was “My Journey from PSU to ESPN and ABC.” A 1988 graduate of Penn State, she majored in broadcast journalism after growing up in King of Prussia. She played guard on the PSU women’s basketball team in ‘86-’87 and then was one of the first women to be a sideline football reporter.
During the Digitize Black Women’s Record Day, Carmin Wong led a discussion with poet scholar Meta DuEwa Jones at the HUB-Robeson Center, followed by a panel with Sharia Benn, Janet Almond Moore, Jennifer Morris and DaMaris Hill.
Under the artistic direction of Prof. Aquila Kikora Franklin assisted by Debra Daggs, music director Jeffrey Martin, Shante McDougald and Fanessa Harbst, The Roots of Life Performing Arts Ensemble presented their spring show, “The World I Wish to See,” at Mount Nittany Middle School. For Good Troupe, a performance group that highlights actors with Down syndrome, began the program. Krista Wilkinson founded the For Good Troupe and Prof. Michele Dunleavy directed them in several synchronized dances. Community members and Roots of Life alumni participants included Kelly Dimond, Sita Frederick, Jacqueline Jones, Deanna Nagle, Joy Marie Robertson, Jeanne Rockover, Avery Jones, Elana Laing, and Kapri Urie. Lila and Gyasi Franklin danced to Count Me Out.
Roots of Life was founded by Franklin and Debra Daggs. Franklin said, “I believe that it is important for all students to understand they are a part of a multicultural society and there are many voices that contributed to making America what it is today. Learning about our shared history will allow us to continue to have empathy for one another and understand who we are as American people.”
Franklin will be the interim director of Penn State’s School of Theatre effective July 1.
Let’s keep listening to the heartbeat of our mothers.
Charles Dumas is a lifetime political activist, a professor emeritus from Penn State, and was the Democratic Party’s nominee for U.S. Congress in 2012. He was the 2022 Lion’s Paw Awardee and Living Legend honoree of the National Black Theatre Festival. He lives with his partner and wife of 50 years in State College.
