Harambee House 

Harambee was founded at a time of racial unrest in the Brown community. Black students, reeling from displays of hate (at one point, graffiti telling "n-words go home"), ultimately decided enough was enough: We were tired of feeling unwelcome on our own campus. From this idea, the "Africa House", and later, "Harambee House", was born. It would be a space for the celebration of Black culture, where Black students could not only feel safe but also learn about, achieve, and excel in their Blackness. Moreover, it would be right in the heart of Wriston, a traditionally heavily white space. Harambee was not a universally accepted idea during its conception, with the founders especially having to go through personal trauma and pushback. Fortunately, after much debate across campus, it was finally approved. In 1993, Harambee was born.

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Since then, and especially recently, Harambee has continually faced a threat of revocation from the University, owing to lack of membership, interest, and enrollment. In the 2018-2019 school year, Harambee bounced back, securing 33 spots for the following year after a robust recruiting and fundraising effort. Harambee continues to serve as a rock for those who do call it home, and so as a House, we have done everything in our power to increase membership and keep this space for the Black community thriving.