Welcome to Jabulani 2026
Over the past few years, our students—whether undergraduate or graduate, College or Conservatory—have faced situations that have challenged them to their cores. From the devastating COVID-19 pandemic and the complex challenges of affordability, to discrimination while abroad to local micro- and macro-aggressions on campus, each of our students has had to face obstacles that were unpredictable and unfathomable. Over many generations, we creatives have leveraged our voices and our bodies to proclaim that our lives matter.
Now, as we reach the end of the 2025–2026 academic year, we stand together to rejoice in the individual and collective academic and artistic achievements of this year’s students—including those who have benefited from courses and co-curricular engagement with Africana Studies, as well as those who are our majors and minors. Jabulani!
Jabulani was envisioned by two graduating students from the class of 2019, Alanna Underwood (Vocal Performance, Berklee College of Music) and Crislin Williams-Womack (Dance, Boston Conservatory at Berklee). Underwood and Williams-Womack together endeavored to create a culminating “rite of passage” experience grounded in an African aesthetic that equally represented the creative excellence of their Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee education. This year, we continue the annual tradition as a beloved community of elders and mentees. It is our privilege as the Africana Studies Division to produce and host Jabulani 2026. Rejoice!
With great excitement, admiration, and respect,
Emmett G. Price III, Ph.D.
Dean, Africana Studies
Jabulani 2026
Friday, May 8, 2026
10:00 a.m.
Boston Conservatory Main Stage
31 Hemenway St., Boston, MA 02215
Enjoy these photos from past Jabulani celebrations.
For more information, email africanastudies@berklee.edu.