On a Thursday in February, the Yalesom community embarked on an unforgettable journey through Africa's vibrant culture at African Exception 2025. The event, hosted by the Africa Business & Society Club (ABSC), transformed the Chan Auditorium into a lively tapestry of sights, sounds, tastes, connections). になったんです。 English: The first thing you can do is to find the best one to do.
As ABSC co-chairman, we wanted to highlight African culture and reconstruct the public perception of what it means to be African. From the moment I learned to lead the club in my second year at SOM, I developed a nine-month plan focusing on key initiatives.
Due to this year's AFRI experience, we decided to go beyond surface level conversation. Instead, we imagined an immersive event that truly led African culture to life. To achieve this, we focused our participants' experiences regarding activating five senses.
The reaction was incredible. We were excited to see nearly 240 registrations from the SOM community alone, and that it has been the biggest AFRI experience since ABSC launched the event in 2020.
The core elements of the day's event were a series of dynamic presentations that highlighted six African countries: Ghana (Even Alotei '26), Morocco (Rina Ayubi '25), Nigeria (Akintrab Hariarad '26), Namibia (Ano Shonhiwa), Zimbab student students (ano shonhiwa '25) questions), and Uganda (Kemi Ruyondo, Yale School of Environmental Students). We also featured a segment of Black Diaspora (Alexis Fuller '25). Each presenter explored the country's economic situation, natural beauty, cultural heritage and ongoing challenges, offering participants a vibrant and insightful tour of the continent.
Enhancing the journey of the senses was a lively African fashion show curated by Marathu Gilma '26. Yale Som and the University of New Haven model participated. Some introduced their personal style with clothes they already owned, while others wore donated pieces that featured vibrant colours and authentic look on the runway.
The auditorium resonated with African rhythms as traditional music set the evening tone. A dance performance from a friend from New Haven University introduced the rich diversity of the continent and invited participants to experience the dynamic beats and movements essential to many African cultures. になったんです。 English: The first thing you can do is to find the best one to do.
Meanwhile, guests were treated to a rich culinary experience featuring iconic African cuisine served at a local African restaurant in New Haven. The menu included the Nigerian and Ghanaian version of Jollof Rice, sparking the best (but friendly!) debate amongst attendees. Spread featured a variety of iconic dishes from across the continent, including Wakie, Bly, Malva Pudding, Bisarra, Zarluke, Beans, Chicken and Beef. This is a delicious journey that covers both the southern and northern parts of the continent.
In collaboration with Yale School of Art and Yale University's Afro-American Cultural Center, they also curated exhibitions of traditional textiles and contemporary African art. Guests had the opportunity to feel the textures of various fabrics and be involved in artwork telling stories of African traditions and contemporary expressions. になったんです。 English: The first thing you can do is to find the best one to do.
Finally, the aromas of African cuisine and subtle aromas of traditional herbs and spices filled the air, carrying attendees to lively African markets and home kitchens. になったんです。 English: The first thing you can do is to find the best one to do.
The event not only celebrated African culture, but also fostered a sense of community and learning. Many participants expressed their gains new insight into the continent, some of which discovered some African countries that they had previously unaware of. The presence of non-African attendees wanted to learn and engage, highlighting the inclusive spirit of the event. になったんです。 English: The first thing you can do is to find the best one to do.
The success of Afri-Experience 2025 set a new benchmark for cultural events at Yalethom. The ABSC looks forward to building on this momentum, continuing to showcase the richness of African culture and fostering deeper connections within the Yale community. Looking back on this incredible event, I have expanded my sincere gratitude to everyone who helped make Afri-Experience 2025 an overwhelming success. I hope that the memories and lessons from this evening will inspire an ongoing exploration and appreciation of Africa's diverse cultures. になったんです。 English: The first thing you can do is to find the best one to do.
We would like to thank our sponsors, Yale Office of Inclusion & Diversity, YSE Africa SIG, and the partners of the African Graduate Student Association at New Haven University!
