Delicious Food, Engaging Performances Mark the Second-Annual Celebration of Cultures
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The Celebration of Cultures is an extraordinary cultural experience with diverse food and performances that celebrate the range of communities within UC San Diego. This year, the celebration was held at the Epstein Family Amphitheater with the event theme, “I Am UC San Diego,” to recognize that, while we bring unique perspectives and diverse backgrounds as individuals, we are also united as one community.
The popular annual event is a partnership between the Vice Chancellor of Resource Management and Planning’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Action (IDEA) Task Group and Campus Human Resources, UC San Diego Staff Association, the Black Staff Association, Chicanx/Latinx Staff Association, Pan Asian Staff Association and the Intertribal Resource Center. Credit: Erik Jepsen UC San Diego
Guests were provided with a wide range of foods to sample from Peru, Jamaica, Mexico, Australia, East Africa, Guam and India, in addition to BBQ, Kumeyaay Frybread and a selection of desserts from around the world. Credit: Erik Jepsen UC San Diego
In addition to the delicious lunch, drawings were held for a chance to win prizes. HennaTrendz was on hand to create beautiful henna designs reflecting Indian, Gulf, Moroccan, Indo-Mughlai, Arabic and contemporary styles. Credit: Erik Jepsen UC San Diego
Chief Human Resources Officer Terri Winbush welcomed guests to the Celebration of Cultures by saying hello in several different languages. “I want to honor and embrace different aspects of your culture, my culture, our customs and traditions which we are all here to celebrate today,” she said. “Here’s to proudly celebrating our origins and embracing the traditions that make us and UC San Diego who we are.” Credit: Erik Jepsen UC San Diego
Interim Vice Chancellor of Resource Management and Planning Maureen Harrigan thanked the IDEA Task Group for their leadership in organizing the event celebrating diversity, highlighting that it is a rousing success. Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Becky Petitt (pictured) added, “Nothing makes my heart smile more than these kinds of events that demonstrate what inclusion looks like at UC San Diego.” Credit: Erik Jepsen UC San Diego
The UC San Diego Dance Team, our official Division 1 competitive dance team representing the university at athletic games, events and competitions, kicked off the performance roster. Next, fans of Bollywood were treated to a dance medley from the Triton India Club (pictured). Credit: Erik Jepsen UC San Diego
The following performance was from KOTX, a K-Pop community at UC San Diego that is both a social organization and an all-inclusive dance team. Credit: Erik Jepsen UC San Diego
San Diego’s Danza Azteca’s performance was rooted in the indigenous history and culture of Mexico. They were followed by Soaring Eagles Powwow Dance Group of San Diego (pictured), dedicated to sharing and preserving the traditions of powwow dance. Credit: Erik Jepsen UC San Diego
In her introduction to the closing act, IDEA Task Group member and mistress of ceremonies LaWana Richmond shared that a performance from San Diego-based West African drum and dance company Teye Sa Thiosanne changed her life, “It put me on the path I am currently on, and I hope that you will be equally inspired.” Credit: Erik Jepsen UC San Diego
Members of San Diego-based West African drum and dance company Teye Sa Thiosanne perform at the Celebration of Cultures. Credit: Erik Jepsen UC San Diego
Teye Sa Thiosanne got the crowd up and dancing before the day was through. Credit: Erik Jepsen UC San Diego
The VC-RMP IDEA Task Group and event co-chairs Alyson Hong and Bryan Hooks thanked leadership, volunteers, performers, vendors and guests in their closing remarks and shared that they hope to see everyone next year. Credit: Erik Jepsen UC San Diego
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