text and photography
by Ryan Sones
The University of La Verne’s celebration of Black History Month was kicked off Monday night in Founders Auditorium with the GospelFest and Candlelight Service.
“The candlelight service is an annual event that includes quotes from famous African-Americans with hopeful words of encouragement to live by,” said Harvel Lewis, coordinator of minority affairs, who coordinated the event.
The event was sponsored by the Afrikan-American Student Alliance, (AASA), Multicultural Student Affairs, Associated Student Federation (ASF) Forum and the Coalition for Diversity.
Stephen Phillips (right) from Victory Community Church in Pomona performed a solo. Phillips was one of five performers in Founders Auditorium at the event.
The gospel choir (below) from Pomona’s Community Church of God had everyone out of their seats as they performed two acappella pieces.
“The GospelFest was for spirituality and to introduce the students to what gospel singing is all about,” said Lewis. “You clap your hands and you stomp your feet. It is part of the African heritage and culture, that is what we want to share with the students and faculty at La Verne.”
