Coker Black Alumni Network celebrates Black History Month
Recently, at the Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center, the Coker Black Alumni Network (CBAN) held their Donning of the Kente Ceremony. This ceremony utilizes the West African Kente cloth as a symbol of African American heritage, bestowed upon the graduate to commemorate the significance of graduation. The Kente stole is a symbol of achievement and overcoming hardship. It pays homage to the ancestors’ sacrifices, reunites African American with Africa and asserts their hope and confidence in the future.
A warm welcome was given by Coker Unversity President Dr. Natalie Harder. Keynote Speakers were Dr. Danny Malone, Assistant Professor of Criminology Coastal Carolina University, and Dr. Jean Swindle, Assistant Professor East Tennessee State Unversity and a 1994 graduate of Coker Unversity. Entertainment was provided by Randy Cahall, and Bhakti Larry Hough. Donning of the stole was led by Deitra Matthews, Vice-Chair of CBAN, Class of 2000 Coker Unversity, along with John Curtiss, Tullius Pate, Barbara Carraway, community member, and Coker University Professor Maya Hayman.
A special Thanks to the Late Rev. John Foster III for the initial vision for the Coker Black Alumni Network. A special presentation was made by Toschia Moffett-Young, CBAN Founder & President and Coker University graduate class of 1994. Closing message was by Jessica Cloud Vice-President for Institutional Advancement. On Saturday, the Coats Giveaway was held at The Hartsville Boys and Girl Club following the Coker Basketball Game. On Saturday evening, Coker Alumni and community Leaders enjoyed a special evening at The Roof Top of the Mantissa. The group agreed that it was great to come back to the town where they spent 4 years of their young adult life, and went through many changes and an important period of growth.
