Photo Gallery
![Black Dance Ensemble](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1974Halcyon%20Page_57dance_ensemble_1600.jpg.webp?itok=sQJIjEYe)
Black Dance Ensemble
![Gospel Choir](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1976Halcyon%20Page_60_gospel_1600.jpg.webp?itok=wiNdY0yC)
Gospel Choir
![Gospel Choir](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1976Halcyon%20Page_61_gospel_choir_800.jpg.webp?itok=fLTjWoWP)
Sunday evening realization of a precious Afro-American art form. Struggles to learn our different voice parts. When we did, and all sang together - a wonderful warm feeling that we put everything into it that we had to make the song live.
![Gospel Choir](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1976Halcyon%20Page_61_1600.jpg.webp?itok=qjbSEeoz)
Gospel Choir
![Black Dance Ensemble](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1976Halcyon%20Page_62_dance_ensemble_800.jpg.webp?itok=MXVgrr9z)
The Swarthmore College Black Dance Ensemble provides an opportunity for cultural identity and understanding. Black Dance Ensemble members combine their creative talents to demonstrate a realm of black expansion, the traditional African Cuban to contemporary modern dance. In essence, the Black Dance Ensemble seeks, through weekly practices and annual concerts, to enlighten our culture, our community, and ourselves.
![Black Dance Ensemble](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1976Halcyon%20Page_63_dance_ensemble_1600.jpg.webp?itok=fCFjFNbw)
Black Dance Ensemble group photo
![Black Dance Ensemble](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1979Halcyon%20Page_dance_ensemble_162.jpg.webp?itok=qTTj-GCu)
Black Dance Ensemble performing on stage.
![Upward Bound](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1979Halcyon%20Page_173_upward_bound_1600.jpg.webp?itok=PSw9kfii)
Upward Bound
![Swarthmore Afro-American Society](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1981Halcyon%20Page_176_sass_1600.jpg.webp?itok=3i-8_v9w)
Swarthmore Afro-American Society
![Professor William Amoaku](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1982Halcyon%20Page_186_800.jpg.webp?itok=5zYHMpMD)
Professor William Amoaku
![Maya Angelou](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1982Halcyon%20Page_187_800.jpg.webp?itok=h02tY5yL)
Maya Angelou
![Gospel Choir](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1983Halcyon%20Page_108_gospel_1600.jpg.webp?itok=i4I4q6_B)
Gospel Choir
![Robinson House 1983](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1983Halcyon%20Page_86_800.jpg.webp?itok=VOC_iznj)
Robinson House 1983
![SASS (Swarthmore Afro-American Student Society)](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1988Halcyon%20Page_41_sasa_1600.jpg.webp?itok=0gKga_Id)
SASS (Swarthmore Afro-American Students Society)
![BCC Christmas Dinner 1987](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1988Halcyon%20Page_36_1600.jpg.webp?itok=hXfoUy1w)
Black Cultural Center, Christmas Dinner 1987
![student reading; man pruning a bush](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1990Halcyon%20Page_11_1600.jpg.webp?itok=ahB6_Cwa)
Student Life
![The Black Studies Department in 1991](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/pg_1991_blkstudies.jpg.webp?itok=RY_-_nPL)
Black Studies, from left: Joe Mason, Black Cultural Center; Chuck James, English literature, Peter Schmidt, English literature, Hillard Pouncy, political science; and Jerry Wood, history. Missing: Allison Williams, chemistry, Ethel Moore, psychology, and Maurice Eldridge '61, development office.
![SASA members](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1992Halcyon%20Page_41_sas_1600.jpg.webp?itok=fZB_MklZ)
SASA promotes a wide-ranging study of African issues and African cultures, aiming in all its activities to enrich student's experiences at Swarthmore by fostering a greater awareness of Africa and African issues.
![SASS members](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1992Halcyon%20Page_43_sass_1600.jpg.webp?itok=5F0jFdTO)
SASS is a political, educational, cultural, and social organization which develops a variety of programs and activities that maintain the understanding of the African-American experience.
![Janet Dickerson](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1992Halcyon%20Page_133_1600.jpg.webp?itok=1KMpx5Kr)
On March 21, 1992, the portrait of former dean of Swarthmore College Janet Dickerson became the first painting of a person of color to permanently adorn the walls of Parrish Hall.
![Sistahs members](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/1993_sistahs.jpg.webp?itok=8AxRNqPG)
Sistahs is a new a capella group on Swarthmore Campus. The group is made up of female Afro-Americans.
![Sophisticated Gents members](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/1993_gents.jpg.webp?itok=-t-IKKIO)
Sophisticated Gents is an all-male Afro-American a capella group.
![Gospel Choir members](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/1993_choir.jpg.webp?itok=K3ulgtr4)
The Swarthmore College Gospel Choir serves as a spiritual uplifting, a cultural identification, and a special outlet for black students at Swarthmore College.
![Essie Mae Burkhalter](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/1993_essies2.jpg.webp?itok=z3DRKG_q)
Essie Mae Burkhalter, a 35-year member of the Dining Services staff, at the dedication in her honor of the former snack bar in Tarble Social Center in Clothier Hall.
![Student life, 1993](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/1993_studentlife1.jpg.webp?itok=-mHI68lv)
Student life, 1993
![Student life, 1993](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/1993_studentlife2.jpg.webp?itok=dcnB_Yip)
Student life, 1993
![Student life, 1993](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/1993_studentlife3.jpg.webp?itok=IdpW2ByL)
Student life, 1993
![Student life, 1993](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/1993_studentlife4.jpg.webp?itok=GTIJW2aQ)
Student life, 1993
![SASS, 1993](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/1993_sass.jpg.webp?itok=XGAJeX3n)
SASS, 1993
![collage of students outside holding signs](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1994Halcyon%20Page_90_.jpg.webp?itok=919z5YmV)
In response to racist and homophobic graffiti seen on campus, students took action. Black students staged a silent protest outside the Admissions Office. Later, students of all colors and creeds banded together denouncing all forms of hate speech.
![BCC Senior Dinner](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1994Halcyon%20Page_133_1600.jpg.webp?itok=wf43JnVt)
BCC Senior Dinner
![group of students singing in the bell tower](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1995Halcyon%20Page_121_1600.jpg.webp?itok=eXUrCx1S)
Slamming in the Bell Tower, Black Coffee sings during Harambe
![Black Coffee members](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1996Halcyon%20Page_129_coffee_1800.jpg.webp?itok=v-H6oGC5)
Black Coffee is an all African-American a capella group that induced many debates on campus when it received its charter this year, 1996.
![Members of SASA perform in a fashion show as part of a presentation of African culture, 1999.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_1999Halcyon%20Page_sasa_105.jpg.webp?itok=SrZCIIsd)
Members of SASA perform in a fashion show as part of a presentation of African culture, 1999.
![SASA members](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_2000Halcyon%20Page_73_sasa_1600.jpg.webp?itok=glCHQ7Ao)
SASA
![Celebrating MLK day with music in Bond Hall](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/pg_2008_mlkday.jpg.webp?itok=sW78_nrk)
Celebrating MLK Jr. Day with music in Bond Hall, 2009
![SASS](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_2008Halcyon%20Page_79_sass_800.jpg.webp?itok=SxEgelQG)
SASS, 2008
![A cappella group Essence of Soul performing in Clothier Bell Tower, 200](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_2009Halcyon%20Page_30_essence_1600.jpg.webp?itok=mBkb5ySI)
A cappella group Essence of Soul performing in Clothier Bell Tower, 2009
![three singer/drummers](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_2009Halcyon%20Page_31_1600.jpg.webp?itok=nyrp96Q1)
![Kathryn Morgan meeting students and faculty](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/pg_2009_morganpoetry.jpg.webp?itok=vlLJCTMB)
Kathryn Morgan, Sarah Lawrence Lightfoot Professor Emerita of History, at a poetry event named and held in her honor, 2009
![Edley speaking at a symposium](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/pg_2010_edley.jpg.webp?itok=-lES37Qz)
Christopher Edley Jr. '73 H' 99 speaks at a symposium, Reimagining Civil Discourse, 2010
![Alumni Gospel Choir singing](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/pg_2010_gospel.jpg.webp?itok=vj5G9JUN)
Black History Month 2011 included a performance by the Alumni Gospel Choir, conducted by Freeman Palmer '79 (right), in the Friends Meetinghouse
![Singing at a Haiti event](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/pg_2010_haitievent.jpg.webp?itok=1yMr5JxK)
Cecily Bumbray '12 and Philippe Celestin '11 performed in Upper Tarble during the second annual charity ball that raised funds for relief efforts in Haiti, 2011
![Dancers](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/pg_2010_rnm.jpg.webp?itok=ZCyeB4Js)
Rhythm n Motion, 2011
![Dancers](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/pg_2010_rnm2.jpg.webp?itok=1aac_Gzf)
Rhythm n Motion's 2010 fall dance concert
![Poetry Slam](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/pg_2010_slam.jpg.webp?itok=LibaQhk-)
Members of Swarthmore's poetry collective OASiS offered lyrical creations with celebrated Def Jam poet Shihan (right) during the Swat Poetry Jam, 2011
![chester childrens chorus](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/pg_2012_ccc.jpg.webp?itok=iujn41Av)
John Alston leads the Chester Children's Chorus during its 2011 summer concert in Lang Concert Hall
![Students march with signs "We Are All Trayvon"](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/pg_2012Halcyon%20Page_10_800.jpg.webp?itok=SrKZbLm0)
We Are All Trayvon march
![The Black Cultural Center](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/slideshow_180809_bcc_a_1600x1000.jpg.webp?itok=yQ1DCb8s)
Black Cultural Center
![Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber, President Valerie Smith, and Chair of the Board of Managers Tom Spock '78.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/slide_151003_inauguration_j.jpg.webp?itok=pNHBLEcg)
The Inauguration of President Valerie Smith in 2015. From left: Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber, President Valerie Smith, and Chair of the Board of Managers Tom Spock '78.
![President Valerie Smith talks with Ruth Simmons, former president of Brown University and Smith College](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/slide_MG_4825.jpg.webp?itok=eCFvRiw5)
The Inauguration of President Valerie Smith in 2015. From left, Ruth Simmons, former president of Brown University and Smith College, and President Valerie Smith.
![Lynne Cottman](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/slide_MG_8232.jpg.webp?itok=QU9-dZkb)
The Inauguration of President Valerie Smith in 2015. Lynne Cottman, a 42-year member of Dining Services, offered greetings on behalf of the College's staff.
![Students at a BCC Open House picnic](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/slideshow_160915_bcc_a_1600x1000.jpg.webp?itok=lbN2NEH_)
Students at a BCC Open House picnic
![Project Blueprint Closing Ceremony with President Valerie Smith](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/slideshow_1700501_blueprint035_1600x1000.jpg.webp?itok=_E6RzdlR)
Project Blueprint closing ceremony with President Valerie Smith
![Provost Sarah Willie-LeBreton and Dion Lewis, director of Black Cultural Center](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/slideshow_180913_bcc_a_1600x1000.jpg.webp?itok=9DnZgiaN)
Provost Sarah Willie-LeBreton and Dion Lewis, director of Black Cultural Center
![Kwanzaa celebration in Upper Tarble sponsored by the Black Cultural Center](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/slideshow_171206_kwanzaa_07_1600x1000.jpg.webp?itok=mGaOrqCb)
Kwanzaa celebration in Upper Tarble sponsored by the Black Cultural Center
![Karen Henry and Sha Duncan Smith](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/slideshow_180913_bcc_d_1600x1000.jpg.webp?itok=aHiTR0ua)
Dean of First Year Students Karen Henry '87 and Shá Duncan Smith, assistant vice president and dean of inclusive excellence and community engagement
![Sabrina Fulton with Swarthmore students in the BCC](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/181022_fulton_030.JPG.webp?itok=bksX_2JB)
Sabrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, met with students in the BCC during her visit to campus in 2018.
![EVS 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/pg_2018_evs.jpg.webp?itok=3m_nal1U)
Environmental Services Week celebration, 2018
![EVS 2019](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/pg_2019_evs.jpg.webp?itok=eYnLN-z6)
Environmental Services Black History Month celebration, 2019
![Chester Children's Chorus performing](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence/pg_JA_smile_Chorus_1600.jpg.webp?itok=VyiUkKc5)
Chester Children's Chorus in Lang Concert Hall
![Students, faculty and staff celebrate the Class of 2019](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/slideshow_D75_9851_1600x1000.jpg.webp?itok=g8wXYF-g)
Students, faculty, and staff celebrate the Class of 2019 at the annual Black Cultural Center Senior Awards Banquet in Upper Tarble.
![Students at the Black Cultural Center](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/celebrating-black-excellence-swarthmore-college-honoring-our-past-imagining-our-futures/slideshow_190507_bcc_c_1600x1000.jpg.webp?itok=a_tR8h21)
Students at the Black Cultural Center