Nyumburu Cultural Center

Phone: 301-314-7758
Fax: 301-314-0383
http://nyumburu.umd.edu

Director: Ronald Zeigler, Ph.D.

The Nyumburu Cultural Center has served as a major resource of cultural, historical, and social programming at the University of Maryland, College Park for 52 years. The center works closely with student, faculty, and community organizations. The Nyumburu Cultural Center offers a variety of socio-cultural, musical, educational and artistic programs to the campus community. The nature of the diverse programming and activities is based on the African American, African, and Caribbean Diaspora experience(s). Nyumburu is home of the Maryland Gospel Choir, Shades of Harlem (performing arts ensemble), The Black Explosion Newspaper, Male Spokesmodel Competition, Ms. Unity Scholarship Pageant, Juke Joint, Gospel Happy Hour, Leadership Series, Nyumburu Jazz Club, Kwanzaa Celebration, Cultural Dinner during Black History Month, Literature Conference, Homecoming Alumni Tailgate, Annual Talent Showcase, Annual Student Awards Banquet, Black Male Initiative (BMI) Program, NEWSBREAK, iSpeak Nyumburu, and the Sisterhood of Unity and Love (SOUL).

Nyumburu's staff are advisors to many campus student organizations: Black Student Union, African Student Association (ASA), The Maryland Gospel Choir, The Black Explosion Newspaper, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and Dimensions Modeling Group to name a few.

Nyumburu presents blues, jazz, and gospel music concerts as well as academic courses in the following: Blues (AASP298V) and Jazz (AASP298Z) for three credits each, Maryland Gospel Choir students earn one credit (MUSC329E), and students who take EDCP108, College and Career Advancement earn one credit. Academic and collaborative programming is also done with colleges/departments such as: School of Public Health, Department of African American Studies, College of Behavioral & Social Sciences, and the Clark School of Engineering.

During the summer, Nyumburu sponsors a summer camp program for students from the age of 5 to 16, Camp Shule. Through this dynamic eight-week program, opportunities for youth to explore academic, artistic, and athletic interests in a relaxed and creative environment are provided. Camp Shule was established to provide the children of Maryland faculty/staff and local youth with a diverse educational experience.

The Multipurpose Room, conference rooms, computer labs, and the Nyumburu Amphitheatre of the Nyumburu Cultural Center are open to the students, faculty and staff of the University of Maryland. Room reservations are also available at a nominal cost for departmental and off-campus events and programs. Come in and interact with us, meet other students and make your ideas and wishes known. Our staff goal is to make Nyumburu a cultural center that is, "Your Home Away from Home."