YSU Event celebrates cultural diversity

The event raised scholarship money for students majoring or minoring in Africana Studies.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Music can help bridge gaps and unify humanity, a symphony conductor and scholar-in-residence told a cultural diversity celebration at Youngstown State University.
"Music has a unique ability to transcend national and cultural boundaries," said Isaiah Jackson, conductor of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and scholar in residence in YSU's College of Arts and Sciences.
"Reflections on African-American Presence in Western Art Music,'' was Jackson's topic as he addressed more than 200 people from all walks of life, who gathered for Thursday's third annual Jabali (Rock of Africa) African Cultural Celebration at Kilcawley Center.
The black presence flourished in the 20th century, he said. Black classical performers, such as Andre Watts, Patricia Jennings, Leontyne Price and Jessie Norman, succeeded in overcoming significant obstacles, he observed.
"It's a predominantly Eurocentric profession and audience, and so it was very hard to break into. The field was really closed until the second half of the 20th century," Jackson said.
"And now that the field is open, how can we make it appeal to a wider audience?" Jackson asked. "By showing the basic humanity of the music itself and also by addressing some of the educational challenges that face the entire nation in the 21st century and the African-Americans in particular."
At the event, diversity was expressed through the entertainment offerings, African attire and authentic African cuisine.
Making a connection
"This is our way of showcasing the [university's] Africana Studies Program, what we do, the people who are involved in our program, and also to make the type of basic, essential connection between the program and the community," said Victor Wan-Tatah, professor of philosophy and religious studies at YSU and ASP director.
Featured entertainment included the Kent State University African Music Ensemble, which was created during the 1980s to supplement African music and culture courses. Today, the ensemble has become one of the core courses in Kent's ethnomusicology program.
Enhancing the diversity was a performance by the Princep Band of Acco from West Galilee, Israel, a 10-member group, which has been working together for three years and performed in England and Scotland in May. The group performs popular and Jewish cultural music.
Event proceeds will assist in underwriting scholarships for students pursuing a major or minor in Africana Studies.
The list of sponsors included the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, the Baptist Pastor's Council of Youngstown, the Jewish Community Relations Council, the YSU Diversity Council, and The Buckeye Review.
"This is just a wonderful event to express the cultural diversity that we have in the community. This was just a terrific chance for us to join forces and to help bring these great performers to the community," said Bonnie Deutsch Burdman, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council.