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, C](https://today.ucsd.edu/news_uploads/CelebrationofCultures_1_705.470.jpg)
![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](https://today.ucsd.edu/news_uploads/CelebrationofCultures_2_705.470.jpg)
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.](https://today.ucsd.edu/news_uploads/CelebrationofCultures_3_705.470.jpg)
![Chief Human Resources Officer Terri Winbush welcomed guests to the Celebration of Cultures by saying hello in several different languages.](https://today.ucsd.edu/news_uploads/CelebrationofCultures_4a_705.470.jpg)
![Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Becky Petitt 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](https://today.ucsd.edu/news_uploads/CelebrationofCultures_4b_705.470.jpg)
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
![Fans of Bollywood were treated to a dance medley from the Triton India Club. Credit: Erik Jepsen UC San Diego](https://today.ucsd.edu/news_uploads/CelebrationofCultures_6_705.470.jpg)
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](https://today.ucsd.edu/news_uploads/CelebrationofCultures_7_705.470.jpg)
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
![Soaring Eagles Powwow Dance Group of San Diego is dedicated to sharing and preserving the traditions of powwow dance. Credit: Erik Jepsen UC San Diego](https://today.ucsd.edu/news_uploads/CelebrationofCultures_8_705.470.jpg)
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
![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. Credit: Erik Jepsen UC San Diego](https://today.ucsd.edu/news_uploads/CelebrationofCultures_9_705.470.jpg)
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.](https://today.ucsd.edu/news_uploads/CelebrationofCultures_10_705.470.jpg)
![Teye Sa Thiosanne got the crowd up and dancing before the day was through. Credit: Erik Jepsen UC San Diego](https://today.ucsd.edu/news_uploads/1_705_470.jpg)
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](https://today.ucsd.edu/news_uploads/CelebrationofCultures_12_705.470.jpg)
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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