J-D High School held its largest Kente Cloth Ceremony to date on Saturday, May 30. The school presented 18 seniors with a meaningful colorful stole.
The ceremony included a special message from UMOJA/Kente Club Advisor Sabrina Scott and Keynote Speaker Tasha Bazille who graduated from Jamesville-DeWitt in 2020. 2023 graduate Miracle Lowrance also helped with the Donning of the Kente Stoles.
A Kente stole is worn to recognize the academic and cultural achievements of graduating Black, African-American and African students and displays the colorful, intricately woven patterns of the traditional West African Kente cloth. It is traditionally worn draped over the shoulders during ceremonies to represent an accomplishment, graduation or other rite of passage. Adapted from Ghana tradition, this garment was once only worn by royalty.
The colors in the Kente cloth hold symbolism:
-
- Gold: Status/Serenity
- Yellow: Fertility
- Green: Renewal
- Red: Passion
- Black: Union with ancestors/Spiritual Awareness
To earn a Kente stole, J-D students must meet the following requirements:
-
- Perform 20 hours of community service.
- Attend at least two guest speaker presentations that are part of the Kente Club’s Sankofa Speaker Series, which includes prominent community leaders.
- Create a personal display to be shown during the Kente ceremony highlighting their journey to graduation.
The J-D High School UMOJA/Kente Club is a long-standing right of passage program for seniors. It endeavors to build unity among African-American students, others from culturally diverse backgrounds and the larger school community. Programming is designed with the intention of increasing respect for self and others and developing an understanding and appreciation for multiculturalism.
“The Kente Ceremony was a proud moment—one that recognizes achievement, honors culture, and inspires our students to continue leading with purpose and pride,” shared Scott.
Class of 2026 Kente Club Honorees
-
- Abigail Adams, Scranton University
- Eyuel Amare, University Of Albany
- Aaliyah Anderson, Drew University
- Stephan Bazile, St. John Fisher
- Dae’jier Brooks, Saint Lawrence College
- Sha’ Geonah Brown, University Of Buffalo
- Michael Campbell, University Of Buffalo
- Moujahid Cherif, Alfred State College
- Ellyana Deng, University Of Buffalo
- Keson Hudgins, Johnson & Wells University
- Darien Hunter, University Of Albany
- William Hunter Jr., Undecided
- Amar Lopez, Geneseo College
- Berkeley McBride, Howard University
- Amarachi Okereke, Rutgers University
- Danielle Patterson, University Of Miami
- Nah’V’Ere Reed, Syracuse University
- London Tearney, University Of Buffalo
Congratulations!