Minority student groups at Iowa State will unite this weekend for the Fifth Annual Harambee Celebration. Harambee is the Swahili phrase for “coming together in unity and celebration.” It also is one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

The event was started four years ago by the Black Student Alliance to enable campus minority organizations to join in celebration during Veishea.

“In the past, minority students didn’t partake in the parade or concerts,” said Xavier Allen, president of BSA, “but I must compliment recent Veishea committees for bringing in the African American community and extending their hand to us.”

Karen Donaldson, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, has participated in the cultural event in past years.

Donaldson said Harambee is an outlet for minority students to express their cultural pride during Veishea weekend.

“Veishea generally lacks the cultural expression of underrepresented groups on campus,” she said. “Being in the minority shouldn’t mean that your celebrations and why you have them should be invisible to the majority.”

In the past, Harambee was held as a series of events, but it now takes place during Veishea to arouse cultural awareness in students at that time, she said

BSA Secretary Nicole Meek said the event is a forum for self-expression.

“Harambee unifies minority students on campus by letting them express themselves artistically and in other ways,” said Meek, senior in sociology.

Meek participated in the talent show her freshman year and has been a part of Harambee ever since.

“During Harambee weekend, you really get a chance to know people on a personal level,” she said.

Harambee will kick off Thursday with “Black Out,” a series of educational workshops that will last from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Black Cultural Center. Both lunch and dinner will be served.

The workshops will focus on a variety of topics, including minority students and graduate school, relationships and empowerment.

In the past, “Black Out” participants did not attend class or purchase items from Ames businesses to show the community what it would be like without the diversity and minority students’ monetary contributions.

“We have gotten away from telling black students not to attend class; we really want blacks to continue on with their academic excellence,” Allen said.

Students can watch the BSA-sponsored Talent Show Friday at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union. It is free and open to the public.

Minority student groups will perform various entertainment acts, including step routines, singing and comedy skits.

“The talent show is really an opportunity to bring students in the community together in love and unity,” Allen said.

Last year, more than 1,000 people attended the talent show, and Allen is hoping for a similar success.

Immediately following the talent show, everyone is invited to attend a ’70s party. The party will cost $3 for those decked out in ’70s gear, and $5 for those not costumed.

The times and locations for other Harambee events, including a double-Dutch tournament and a barbecue, are to be announced.

All Harambee events are alcohol free.