About Harambee
Harambee House was founded in 1993 by a group of African-American students at Brown who desired a cultural center for Black students. Harambee House is a living center for all those interested in the politics, history, society, and other aspects of African and African-American culture. Harambee, meaning "Togetherness" or “All pull together” in Swahili, is also focused on cultivating a sense of community, academic excellence, and leadership for all people of African descent. The House is a celebration of the people and the culture of the African Diaspora. It imbues students with a sense of cultural pride that they can take with them in their various co-curricular pursuits at Brown.
In Harambee, Black scholars and their allies work together to build and maintain an economic, residential, and social system that supports the Black community’s endeavors, programing, and unity. Harambee attracts Black scholars and allies who seek to demonstrate independence and interdependence with purpose, confidence, and love. Our residents and community members reflect a positive self-defining image of the ideal Black citizen of the world.
Harambee aims to be a place where Black scholars and allies put forth continuous personal work and heartfelt effort to obtain, maintain, and stabilize an environment in which Black people can be accepting as well as supportive of differences. Our goal is to have a community space where Black scholars have complete access to all education and developmental resources and are taking full advantage of those resources. Harambee strives to be a home with a safe and unified atmosphere for Black scholars and their allies--a place where no one feels the need to explain, translate, or be self-conscious.
For years, Harambee House has served as a vital resource for Black students at Brown as they attempt to navigate a predominantly white institution. It is a hub for Black student life at Brown, as several student organizations such as the Black Student Union, Black Pre-Med Society, Black Pre-Law, Black Christian Ministries, and others meet within its walls. We host larger events such as the 25th Anniversary event, Pop-Up Arts Gallery, and smaller events for residents. However, Harambee is more than a residential space or meeting space; rather, it is a home away from home. We use our space to hang out, laugh, worship, study, party, watch movies, and engage in both deep and intellectual or silly and comedic conversations. Over the past 25 years, it has become this special place, and many of us have created unforgettable memories here. Harambee plays a necessary role in maintaining the health of our community and is a vital aspect of Brown University. In light of the many benefits it offers Black students and the Brown community as a whole, it is imperative that we continue fighting, not only to secure its continued existence, but also to ensure that it reaches its fullest potential.