The theme for the celebration is “Integration at Valdosta State: Honoring Trailblazers of the Past and Present.” Hosted by VSU’s African American Studies (AFAM) program, the celebration will include a presentation of the Spring 2013, Summer 2013 and Fall 2013 VSU graduates. The AFAM program will then recognize the AFAM Teacher of the Year, AFAM Student of the Year, AFAM Mentor of the Year and Sankofa Award recipient.

The 2013 recipients of the Claydon Hayward Barron Scholarship will be announced during the event as well. Officially endowed at VSU in 2011, the scholarship honors the memory of the late Barron, a humanitarian and business entrepreneur who was the first African American appointed to the Valdosta Board of Education, on which he served ten years. Established by Mary Barron, wife of the late Barron, and Lawanna Barron, daughter of Claydon Barron, the scholarship is awarded once annually to  sophomore, junior or first semester senior AFAM minors who have demonstrated academic excellence at VSU.

Sankofa is a West African word that means “looking back in order to move forward.” According to African proverbs, the Sankofa bird symbol symbolizes going back in time to remember what has been forgotten so that progress can be made. Sankofa celebrations are held in various settings as a way of highlighting spiritual consciousness and experiences within African and African American cultures that have helped to shape them.

For more information about Sankofa, please contact the AFAM office at (229) 249-4843.