SLU African International Students Lead Campus Cultural Showcase.

SLU African International Students Lead Campus Cultural Showcase

Saint Louis University African international students took center stage at the recent "Echoes of Africa" showcase, demonstrating exceptional spirit of leadership, community impact, and cultural awareness.

Through a strategic partnership between external organization Community Art Development Initiative (CADI), SLU's Department of English, Department of Psychology, Department of African American Studies, Office of Belonging and student-led African Professionals Network (APN), the event became a vibrant intersection where student leadership met with the broader professional diaspora.

"One of the most rewarding aspects of this collaboration was witnessing students step into responsibilities that required initiative, coordination, communication, and accountability," said Njideka Ezenwa Eke, founder of Echoes of Africa, a flagship of CADI

Samuel Amoah, head of the organizing committee of APN, said the partnership demonstrated the kindred spirit of SLU and the St. Louis Community, while also bridging the gap between students, faculty, staff and institutional bodies.

"My team and I came into contact with some very important organizations in St. Louis," he said. "Personally, managing, planning and implementing this event opened my eyes to how things work in the United States. And we had immense support from SLU staff and faculty members. This, for me, represents the true culture of belonging and inclusivity that this university stands for."

APN is a student-led association at Saint Louis University focused on connecting African students to networking opportunities and fostering a sense of community rooted in Jesuit values.

"For us at APN, Echoes of Africa was more than just celebrating African culture," said Adolphus Marvelous Gaye, graduate student and president of APN. "It was about bringing students into contact with the African professional diaspora. We wanted people to experience our music, food, storytelling, and traditions while also having meaningful conversations about immigration, entrepreneurship and career opportunities."

Eke said it was important to have the students involved with the event.

"APNs' involvement brought a level of cultural authenticity, youthful energy, most importantly, institutional connection, and an understanding of the international student experience that an external team could not easily have captured. And we are super proud of the team."

Saint Louis University President Edward Feser, Ph.D., attended the event and praised the organizers for putting together a meaningful program.

"It was impressive to see our international students take the lead in celebrating their cultures and bringing people together," Feser said. "Events like Echoes of Africa remind us how much our students contribute to the life of this University and the wider St. Louis community. I'm grateful for their leadership and for the connections they've helped build."

International students who attended the event reflected on the benefits such events bring to them and why it is good that SLU and APN continue to offer such opportunities to stay in touch with their cultural elements.

"What stood out most to me was how the event brought people from different cultural backgrounds together to celebrate African heritage. I felt a sense of home away from home," said Jeffery A. Ali, a graduate international student.

Mathew Sherini, an international student with the School of Science and Engineering, said he had a great time, especially with the expert talk on entrepreneurship in the United States.

"I would like to see this event held quarterly, if possible," he said. "This goes to show that the school, by fostering this type of community partnership, sees us (international students). And I like that APN was at the center of it. The food, culture on display and almost everything was a good use of my time."

Florie Naomi, Afropop star and keynote speaker at the event, highlighted the need to preserve cultural identity through community building and storytelling.

"In Africa, there are so many stories ... so much history hidden in the elders; people who are storytellers," she said. "They are the reason why we know this tree harbors this or that health benefit. It is so important to get information from them and build our own experience. This event offers the opportunity to bring this knowledge together and create something beautiful and meaningful."

The program featured moments of cultural performances from tribes across Africa, heritage costumes displayed elegantly at stands and on the runway, culture-oriented and student development lectures, arrays of African food, soothing traditional music, arts, and a host of corporate organizations, casting a memorable feeling of home and growth.