Itanwa Orinwa Program

ltanwa Orinwa (Our Story, Our Song) is a graduation ceremony dedicated to celebrating the achievements of Syracuse University graduates of color. ltanwa Orinwa was founded in 2002 at Syracuse University by a group of distinguished Black students. Their mission was to create an annual observance honoring all degree candidates who identify as being part of the African Diaspora. This includes, but is not exclusive to, African American, African, Caribbean and Latin American students. The purpose of this celebration is to acknowledge the historical plight of our people’s pursuit to and through higher education systems and to provide a historical voice and story that can be a legacy for generations to come.

The ceremony recognizes degree candidates as scholastic leaders and the program also includes student performances, a keynote speaker and the distribution of authentic Kente stoles. The Kente cloth is a meaningful sartorial material and Kente stoles have a historical presence in our culture, representing the pride we have in our African heritage. Every aspect of the cloth is symbolic. The gold symbolizes status/serenity; yellow for fertility; green for renewal; blue is symbolic of pure spirit/harmony; red represents passion; and black symbolizes union/spiritual awareness. It is a tradition adapted from Ghana in which Kente is a royal cloth and its presentation is a loving rite of passage gift.

The Significance of Kente Cloth in the Black Disapora Link

The Kente cloth, with its vibrant colors and intricate patterns, holds a profound significance in the African culture. Originating from the Ashanti people of Ghana, Kente cloth is more than just a piece of fabric; it is a symbol of tradition, history and identity. Each color and pattern woven into the cloth carries its own meaning, representing values such as wisdom, courage and unity.

As we drape the graduates with the Kente cloth during the ceremony, we pay homage to our roots, acknowledging the sacrifices of those who came before us and paved the way for our success. We honor the legacy of resilience and strength that runs through our veins, reminding ourselves of the rich cultural heritage that shapes our identities.

Taye Diggs is an award-winning actor known for his television, Broadway and film roles. He is also a children’s book author and a child literacy ambassador with the National Head Start Association. Most recently, Diggs can be seen on the TV series, "All American," as Coach Billy Baker, and in the indie Netflix film, "Set It Up," in which he stars opposite Zoey Deutch and Lucy Liu.

Diggs is known for his role in the hit FOX drama, "Empire," as Angelo Dubois. Prior to "Empire," Diggs starred in three seasons of TNT’s "Murder in the First" alongside Kathleen Robertson. For his role in the series, Diggs earned a nomination for a 2014 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Award in the category of Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series.

An acclaimed stage actor, Diggs most recently starred as the title role in Broadway’s "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" (he was the first African American to play Hedwig in New York). His theatre credits: "A Soldier’s Play" (Second Stage Theatre), "Wicked," "Chicago," "The Wild Party" (Manhattan Theatre Club), "Rent" and "Carousel."

Diggs’ film credits include: "The Best Man Holiday," "Baggage Claim," "Rent," "Chicago," "Brown Sugar," "Equilibrium," "Basic," "The Way of the Gun," "The Best Man," "Just a Kiss," "The House on Haunted Hill," "Go," "Drum," "Cake" and "Malibu’s Most Wanted." His television credits include: "Private Practice" (NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor), "Rosewood," "The Good Wife," "Daybreak," "UPN" (NAACP Image Award for Best Actor – Television), "Ally McBeal," "Will & Grace," "Ed," "The West Wing," "New York Undercover" and "Law and Order."

Diggs released his first children’s book, "Chocolate Me," which he followed up with "Mixed Me," written with a longtime friend and collaborator, Shane Evans. With the success of both books, Diggs signed a deal for more children’s books with MacMillan for a total of five.

Diggs is currently partnered with the National Head Start Association as their child literacy ambassador and has visited Washington, D.C. with the organization.

Processional Link

One of the oldest instruments in West Africa, the talking drum is found in many different geographic areas and cultures. It is used for creating speech, dance or signal patterns; oftentimes, the drums were used to communicate information over long distances. Its history traces back to West Africa in the 18th century, and its distinct sound has been heard in many places such as the Oyo Empire of West Africa, the Bono people, the Ghanaian Empire and now all over the world. Played by Ibraheem Ayinde ’24, College Arts and Sciences, and accompanied by Abdul Sheriff Ayinde.

Video Performance Link

To celebrate the achievements of our Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) graduates, we honor the rich heritage and cultural significance of stepping. It serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination that have paved the way for their success, and as a testament to the enduring spirit of a community that continues to thrive in the face of adversity. The video performance showcases the distinct talents of each group, highlighting the diverse range of skills: Black Reign Step Team (the only non-Greek affiliated step team on Syracuse University’s campus), NPHC and the NALFO. The following are organizations’ appointed representatives communicating on their behalf.

• Autumn Mone’ Rosetta Campbell ’24, Black Reign Step Team President, School of Education
• Niara McIntyre ’24, NPHC President, School of Information Studies
• Shaila S. Cuellar ’24, NALFO President, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Black Reign Step Team Link

Black Reign Step Team’s mission is to exude the power of stepping through performance for both the Syracuse University and non-Syracuse University community; to provide an environment where people from diverse backgrounds can express themselves through stepping; and to teach unity, discipline and precision through the art of dance, which we call stepping.

National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Link

The NPHC is composed of nine Historically Black International Greek letter sororities and fraternities. NPHC promotes interaction through forums, meetings and other mediums for the exchange of information, and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions. Syracuse University is home to eight NPHC Chapters.

• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
• Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) Link

The NALFO is an “umbrella” coalition established in 1998 to promote and foster positive interfraternal relations, communication and development of all Latino fraternal organizations through mutual respect, leadership, honesty, professionalism and education. Today, NALFO’s 16 fraternities and sororities are bound by a shared commitment to fraternal unity, family values, and empowering Latino and underserved communities. Syracuse University is home to eight NALFO Chapters.

• La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc.
• Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc.
• Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
• Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc.
• Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc.
• Latino America Unida, Lambda Alpha Upsilon Fraternity, Inc.
• Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.
• Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.