WELCOME BACK!

Wow! 2009 is here and along with it comes the Spring semester. So far, this academic year has been a great one for the ALANA Network, and as we get ready to begin the upcoming Spring semester, we aspire to achieve even more.

This semester, the ALANA Network will be hosting a number of events, most notably the All In The Mix Fashion Show (Assumption Goes Hollywood) and the 7th Annual Step & Dance Competition. These are two of the ALANA Network’s biggest events and we, along with the rest of the Assumption College and Worcester community, are looking forward to both of these events.

Before we discuss the other events the ALANA Network will be hosting this semester, it is important that we take a look back at some of the events we have hosted, so far, during this academic year. Some of these events include the Latino Festival, the Steel Drum Band, and the Sister to Sister Summit, sponsored by the Women’s Initiative United Way of Massachusetts.

Let’s take a look.

Here are some pictures from the Caribbean Trio Steel Drum Band.

Here are some pictures from the Latino Festival.

Here are some pictures from the Sister to Sister Summit.

Aside from the Fashion Show and the Step Competition the ALANA Network will be hosting a number of events this semester. One of such events is the screening of Academy Award Nominee documentary film “A Time for Burning.” The documentary explores the attempts, in the mid-1960s, of the minister of Augustana Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska, to persuade his all-white congregation to reach out to the African American Lutherans in the city's north side. The movie screening will be held on the 18th of February, 2009.

Following the screening of the documentary film, the ALANA Network will be hosting one of the stars of the documentary, Senator Ernie Chambers. Ernie Chambers emerged as a prominent leader in the North Omaha community as illustrated in his instrumental role during the 1966 riots, when he successfully negotiated concessions from the city's leaders on behalf of the African American youths of North Omaha. Mr. Chambers is considered one of the Legislature's most passionate, controversial and colorful members. The ALANA Network will be hosting Senator Ernie Chambers on the 19th of February, 2009.

The ALANA Network will also be hosting a “Racial Healing” Dialogue with Reginald Newkirk. Reginald Newkirk recognizes that racism is, above all else, a social and spiritual disease, a disease woven into the moral and spiritual fiber of society. This event will be held on the 5th of February, 2009.

These are only a few of the events the ALANA Network will be hosting in the upcoming Spring semester. Kindly be on the look out for more information concerning some other of the ALANA Network’s events.

As a reminder, the ALANA Network meets every Thursday at 5:00PM in the Student Activities Resource Room, below Hagan Campus Center. All are welcome and we would love to have you. The ALANA Network will be having its first meeting for the Spring semester on Thursday, January 22, 2009. See you there!