<Provides expanded focus to seri:;anthood " Vjima strives to reach out and help the community Coming together and helping every student find a place are two of the school's main goals. Ujima is a club that unites different races with this objective in mind. "Ujima is a club that pr'omotes unity cross-culturally. It promotes black heritage since the club is predominantly AfricanAmerican," said TerryDavis, who sponsored the club. "Although the organization has an African-American focus, the club has always welcomed all other cultures. Membership has been open to anyone who pays dues and feels a need to work with others. This year, members included people from AfricanAmerican, Latin American, Asian and Caucasian backgrounds. This year was one oftransition for Ujima. The club shifted its focus to servanthood while keeping the same original goals. It also strove to become more active. Taking the lead from its Swahili name, which means "collective works and responsibilities," the club sponsored a hayride for the Kensett Housing Authority, helped with the Inner City Carnival and promoted Gospel Explosion. Tuesday night devotionals were another addition. Jumal Trice, president of Ujima, said, "The devotional times we shared together were more like open dicussions. We came together for fellowship and were able to discuss what was on our hearts." Gospel Explosion, a yearly event sponsored by Ujima, offered the university an orientation for black history and gospel music. The group, Higher Degree, was featured among other groups, and drama and choreography were added to the program. Gospel Explosionworks to educate Ujima members, as well as to expose the entire school to our culture," Davis said. The singers ofHigher Degree came from Ujima's membership. The group had many opportunities to travel and sing for various congregations. Kym Brown, member of Ujima and director of Higher Degree, said, "Higher Degree is Ujima's publicity. When we go out to sing, people hear about us and Harding University." Brown also said, "Ujima has benefited me by the relationships that I've formed through Higher Degree and the club itself. Anytime I can reach someone through song, it brings joy to my heart." Trice summed up the focus of Ujima. "Our main goal is to emphasize Christ Jesus and enlighten people about the AfricanAmerican culture. We want people to realize that we are all God's children." - Sara VanRheenan TEACH. First row: Adam Lett, Julie Bartley, Cecilia Rogers, Eric Hruska. Second row: Misty McDowell, Casey Hill, Amanda Chute, Stacey Sams. Third row: Tiffany Pritchard, Brenda Osborne, Valerie Ford. Fourth row: Eunice Orser, Kathy Hunt, Jeanine Peck (faculty sponsor). Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Ujima. First row: Ivey Sanders, Elisheba Matthews, Georgette Humphrey, Renita Graham. Second row: Ann Anthony, LaVonne Pearson, Amy Christy. Third row: Torey Bradley, Vicky Valentine, Tawanna Hightower. Fourth row: Kimberly Brown, Micheal Stone, Patricia Williams. Fifth row: Natasha Murray, Erin Stephens, Abby Drayton. Sixth row: Tamar Trice. Seventh row: Jumal Trice, Nathan Golightly. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. 206 TEACH and Ujima
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