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The night of Black Theatrical Ensemble’s first performance on March 8, 1976, in the University of Georgia Chapel, founder Larry Calhoun and other members of the organization gathered in a circle to pray. “We knew what it meant to us — but we prayed that what we had to present would mean something to our fellow students on campus,” Calhoun said. Calhoun decided to form BTE when he was a graduate student at UGA in 1976. Six years before Calhoun founded BTE, Nawanna Lewis Miller founded the Pamoja groups: the Pamoja Singers, Pamoja Dancers and Pamoja Drama and Arts. Although UGA had been desegregated for nine and 15 years, respectively, when Lewis Miller and Calhoun formed their organizations, Black students had few opportunities to express themselves and find community on campus. Calhoun and Lewis Miller didn’t form their organizations solely out of a desire to sing, dance or act — they formed the organizations out of a need for community and belonging.

United statesNawanna lewis millerLewis millerCreswell hallMadison phillipsGregory broughtonMicah pennLarry calhounMistress of cultural affairsPamoja dance companyStudent unionUniversity of georgia chapelBlack theatrical ensembleGeorgia chapelPamoja singersPamoja dancers