Food, dance music and poetry filled the Bush Ballroom at this year’s electric Pamoja Night. The event drew one of the larger crowds that Bush Ballroom has ever seen, giving credence to the event’s name, which is Swahili for togetherness.

The event was put on by the Hamline African Students Association (HASA), a student organization determined to share the beauty of Africa with the Hamline community.

The night kicked off with an Ethiopian marriage dance by U of M student Tommy Ogbazghi and  junior Asmeret Segai, sparking a lively night of arts and culture.

Speed painter Delphin Star   crafted a stunning portrait of Muhammad Ali to the rhythm of popular dance tracks, all the while keeping the audience engaged and on their feet.

Senior Law Thao, president of the Multicultural Alliance on campus was elated to attend the event and to “see everyone enjoy and celebrate their cultural heritage.”

Among the many differing art forms displayed throughout the night was that of the written word. Local poets took the stage captivating audience members with lyrics touching on the lived experience of black youth in America.

Rapper Malik Curtis emphasized the importance of supporting the next generation of black youth in his lyrics, later saying that “helping children is all I want to do through my art and my action.”

Traditional African food was served, including Brik. The Tunisian dish had a meat and vegetarian option, both of which disappeared quite quickly.

Perhaps the most stunning part of the night was the fashion show that featured many Hamline students as models. Outfits and dresses representing different African countries evoked oohs and ahs from the crowd, with no shortage of encouragement and laughter from friends of the participants.

In this time of racial tension within the black community, Pamoja night served as a beautiful opportunity for Hamline’s African community to enjoy a night of celebration and pride.

The night didn’t end with the last performance, as students and adults alike danced together onstage long after event coordinator Jordan Grier thanked the audience for attending.

Sophomore Bashir Imady described the fashion show as his favorite part of the night, saying he enjoyed seeing the student’s cultural pride, and “the smiles on their faces.”

This event drew many students from each class, especially first years from the largest class Hamline has ever seen. With a growing population, one can expect even more well attended events like this in the future.