SMC Pan African Alliance Hosts First Annual Umoja Games

(L-R) Santa Monica College Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Dionne Carter, SMC Extended Opportunity Programs and Services Specialist Ma’isha Reid, SMC Art History Professor Karla Blackwood, SMC Administrative Assistant Cheryl Spencer and SMC Black Collegians Program Leader Sherri Bradford pose and are the cheer team to support SMC faculties in the Umoja field games at SMC’s Corsair Stadium in Santa Monica, Calif. on Friday, April 26, 2024. (Karen Lopez | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Math professor and Vice President of the Pan African Alliance Kristin Ross kicks the ball during a kickball game at SMC’s Corsair Stadium in Santa Monica, Calif. on April 26, 2024. During the kickball action, SMC students watch her participate in the kickball game. (Karen Lopez | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Black Collegians Specialist Jocelyn Winn blows the whistle, crosses her arms, and straightens her arms at SMC’s Corsair Stadium in Santa Monica, Calif. on April 26, 2024. She is the referee of the kickball game and students in the background watch her to indicate if students stop playing defense. (Karen Lopez | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College student Eric Brown kicks the ball during a kickball game at SMC’s Corsair Stadium in Santa Monica, Calif. on April 26, 2024. During the kickball action, SMC students, SMC faculties and SMC Career Services Counselor Destiny Johnson watch him play in the kickball game. (Karen Lopez | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College professor of English Dr. Alexander Sterling kicks the ball during a kickball game at SMC’s Corsair Stadium in Santa Monica, Calif. on Friday, April 24, 2024. SMC professor of Math Kristin Ross (left) shouts in support, professor of Communication Studies Dr. Jermaine Junius (L-R), Career Services Counselor Destiny Johnson, and an SMC student sitting on the ground watch him play in the kickball game. (Karen Lopez | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Career Services Counselor and referee Destiny Johnson holds up three fingers to say three points were given to SMC faculties at SMC’s Corsair Stadium in Santa Monica, Calif. on Friday, April 26, 2024. SMC Math Professor Kristin Ross glances in a different direction and Psychology Professor Dr. Erin Cue holds up a three-finger to celebrate their victory. (Karen Lopez | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Psychology Professor Dr. Erin Cue stretches before the Umoja field games at SMC’s Corsair Stadium in Santa Monica, Calif. on Friday, April 26, 2024.(Karen Lopez| The Corsair)

Santa Monica College student Stacey Lee Brown from the Black Collegians Program and Umoja community dances during the Umoja field games at SMC’s Corsair Stadium in Santa Monica, Calif. on Friday, April 26, 2024. (Karen Lopez | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College student Bryce Kinkead from the Black Collegians Program and Umoja community gets ready to sprint the 400 meters during the Umoja field games at SMC’s Corsair field games in Santa Monica, Calif. on Friday, April 26, 2024. (Karen Lopez | The Corsair)

(L-R) Santa Monica College Communication Studies professor and President of the Pan African Alliance Dr. Jermaine Junius, Black Collegians Program Leader Sherri Bradford, Black Collegians Specialist Jocelyn Winn and Math professor and Vice President of the Pan African Alliance Kristin Ross pose behind the Core Performance Center building in Santa Monica, Calif. On April 26, 2024. (Karen Lopez | The Corsair)

On Friday, April 26, at 11:30 a.m., Santa Monica College’s (SMC) Pan African Alliance faculty and Black Collegians students met on Corsair Field for the first annual Umoja Games. The events held were a 400-meter race, 100-by-four relay race, 200-meter race, kickball, and tug-of-war.

Faculty from the Pan African Alliance at SMC played as “Team Red,” while Black Collegians students played as “Team Green.”

Leisha Smith, the Black Collegians club president, won the 400-meter race, which marked Team Green’s first win of the day. Team Green also won the 100-by-four relay race and 200-meter race.

For the kickball game, each team was evenly split into ten members. Xcellen Connor was the head referee for the match, leading Team Red to win their first event of the day.

The final tug-of-war event was split into men’s and women’s teams; Team Red’s men won almost immediately. While Team Green’s women put up a fight, Team Red’s women ultimately won.

After the games finished, the Pan African Alliance provided tacos and drinks. Events such as the Umoja games create a bond between the faculty and the students they serve every day and stand as a testament to the family atmosphere the Black College faculty always strive to create for all.