2023-2024 Presidents’ Letter
More than half a century ago, in 1970, there was no space like Kuumba on Harvard’s campus. Established to address the needs of students during a tumultuous and contentious time, Kuumba is now the oldest Black organization on Harvard’s campus. For over 50 years, we have lifted our voices together in song, building an unbreakable family dedicated to celebrating who we are and where we come from.
Kuumba is a Swahili word that means “to create,” and on account of our mission to celebrate Black creativity and spirituality, we take that to mean making the most out of what we have and leaving every space our presence fills better than we found it. We carry this spirit with us wherever we go, and this vision motivates our performances, community initiatives, and the relationships we foster with those around us. We believe that Black art is both healing and restorative—reminding us of our past, grounding us in our present, and guiding us toward the future.
The past year was focused on growth and rebuilding in our new normal. In a post-COVID-19 world, everyone was forced to adjust and adapt to the new normal. Kuumba was no exception, and yet despite the challenges this past year brought, Kuumba braved every obstacle and fostered joy during difficult times. We continued to meet every Tuesday and Thursday in Holden Chapel and in the SOCH penthouse, fully masked up to protect our community members.
This past year stands as a remarkable chapter in Kuumba’s history. We performed at gigs once again, celebrated our Dr. S. Allen Counter winter concert, and even had a “Wintour” where we visited and sang with community members and schools in the larger Boston area. Our jubilant half-century celebration brought us closer and reconnected us with alumni from across the country. We warmly welcomed many new members into our fold. We aspire to build on the momentum from last year, taking Kuumba to new heights.
After a few years filled with countless trials and tribulations, we are dedicated more than ever to our mission and to rebuilding the magic that is Kuumba in person. While we are uncertain what this year may bring, we know for certain that Kuumba can brave any storm, cross any river, and climb any mountain. Together we keep moving forward, growing in communion, and strengthening our bonds as a resilient and united community. Please feel free to come to any and all of the events publicized on this website as well as our Facebook (@TheKuumbaSingers) and Instagram (@kuumbasingers) pages.
We invite anyone and everyone to join us on this journey as we grow together, furthering our mission of leaving spaces better than we found them and honoring our history through artistic expression, community engagement, and social activism on Harvard’s campus and beyond.
Kuumblove,
Taina Rico and Sandra Mwangi
2023-2024 President and Vice President
