2008 Woodie Awards
Sound of Africa benefit concert raises funds for HIV/AIDS victims
Niketa Reed
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: News
In its sixth year of celebration, the Sound of Africa Banquet will commence at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow in the Arkansas Union Ballroom.
The benefit concert, regarded as the African Student Organization's largest event of the school year, will raise funds to support HIV/AIDS victims and education reform in Africa.
"Sound of Africa Banquet is an event that the African Students Organization hosts annually to share African culture and create awareness about Africa in general," said Nelson Sello, ASO public relations officer.
"Through sharing the diverse cultures of Africa, we believe that the UA students, faculty and the Northwest Arkansas community will understand and appreciate the beauty of Africa," he said.
Activities at the banquet will include African dance from various countries, drumming, an African fashion showcase, poetry and many other activities, Sello said, expressing that the increase in outreach, participation and contributions from other organizations have helped improve this year's banquet experience.
Among the organizations that have contributed to the banquet this year and past years are the UA Multicultural Center, African American Studies Program, Student Affairs, National Society of Black Engineers and Huntington Learning Center.
"From its inception in 2003, the Sound of Africa benefit concert was dedicated to raising awareness about the HIV/AIDS scourge in Africa," Sello said. "Previous funds from the first and second SOA [in 2003 and 2004] were donated to the Christian Children's Fund, while the third SOA funds [in 2005] were donated to the AED Orphanage program.
"The other years' funds [in 2006 and 2007] will go to the Nelson Mandela HIV/AIDS Foundation," he said. "This year ASO decided to broaden its scope and include education. Therefore, the funds will be donated to support the education and weak health-care systems in Africa."
For event chairman Richard Senessie, participation in the annual banquet has always been emotional.
The benefit concert, regarded as the African Student Organization's largest event of the school year, will raise funds to support HIV/AIDS victims and education reform in Africa.
"Sound of Africa Banquet is an event that the African Students Organization hosts annually to share African culture and create awareness about Africa in general," said Nelson Sello, ASO public relations officer.
"Through sharing the diverse cultures of Africa, we believe that the UA students, faculty and the Northwest Arkansas community will understand and appreciate the beauty of Africa," he said.
Activities at the banquet will include African dance from various countries, drumming, an African fashion showcase, poetry and many other activities, Sello said, expressing that the increase in outreach, participation and contributions from other organizations have helped improve this year's banquet experience.
Among the organizations that have contributed to the banquet this year and past years are the UA Multicultural Center, African American Studies Program, Student Affairs, National Society of Black Engineers and Huntington Learning Center.
"From its inception in 2003, the Sound of Africa benefit concert was dedicated to raising awareness about the HIV/AIDS scourge in Africa," Sello said. "Previous funds from the first and second SOA [in 2003 and 2004] were donated to the Christian Children's Fund, while the third SOA funds [in 2005] were donated to the AED Orphanage program.
"The other years' funds [in 2006 and 2007] will go to the Nelson Mandela HIV/AIDS Foundation," he said. "This year ASO decided to broaden its scope and include education. Therefore, the funds will be donated to support the education and weak health-care systems in Africa."
For event chairman Richard Senessie, participation in the annual banquet has always been emotional.
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