Student-Led 'Eternal Voices' Promotes Somalia Relief

For the past six months, a group of Howard University students have been working diligently to develop fundraising initiatives for Somalia, an East African nation that, in addition to political and economic strife, has had repeated bouts with drought and famine dating as far back as the 1990s. The most extensive of these experiences of drought, crop failure, and food shortages has occurred within the last two years, with the United Nations officially labeling the situation a "famine" in July 2011.  

Aside from t-shirt and ribbon sales, the student group's biggest initiative so far--Eternal Voices: A Night with the Legends, a benefit concert--will take place on Thursday night in Cramton Auditorium. The students have spent weeks spreading the word. 

"What's unique about this event is that many of the performers are Howard alumni. It's a combination of some of Howard's greatest talent from the past to the present. That's what makes it special; we're supporting our own as well as Somalia. Dr. Ribeau will also be giving the welcome message," said Victoria Fortune, a senior broadcast journalism major. 

"Students need to come out to Eternal Voices because it speaks to activism and advocacy throughout the nation," said Brandon Harris, a senior political science major, HUSA president and Somalia Relief efforts team member. "The famine is not something that is in the news a lot; it's not a fad, but helping is the right thing to do. If Howard students come out to support, it says we will speak out against injustice, whether it is popular or not." 

Fortune said a news report on CNN caught her attention and prompted her involvement with the Somalia Relief efforts. "In August, CNN did a story about the famine, and there were also a lot of pictures floating around on the Internet that displayed starving children, and I was really shaken by it. I've always been one to give back and there was no way I could allow people to suffer and not do anything about it," Fortune said. "I teamed up with Britney Wilson, Amanda Patterson and Brandon Harris once we got back to school to come up with a plan to raise awareness and funds to help alleviate the crisis."

Care International, an aid organization that has been working on the ground in the Somalia region, will receive100 percent of the proceeds from the event. Fortune said it is important that Howard University students come together and unite for a cause. "We are one of the most historical, legendary and respected campuses in the nation. It is important for us to continue the Howard legacy and uphold the standard of our university," Fortune said. "We are the future leaders of America, we have to start somewhere. I want college students to be more aware of what's going on, not just at Howard but outside of the United States too."

Eternal Voices is scheduled to have appearances by AfroBlue, GWN, Dick Gregory, I.Am.We Contemporary Dance Company and Howard University alumni Amiri Baraka and Dana Morgan, a concert pianist. Tickets for the event are $10 with a student ID and $15 for general admission.They can be purchased through Ticketmaster or the Cramton Auditorium box office.