Nawanna Lewis Miller, pastor, author and 1973 journalism alum, is credited with founding five on-campus performing arts and journalism organizations in 1970 African American Choral Ensemble, Pamoja Dance Company, Black
This past century of history, remembered during this year’s Women’s History Month, reaches an important milestone in 2022. This year marks 50 years since Title IX of the Education Amendments
The night of Black Theatrical Ensembleâs 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.
âWe knew what it meant to us â but we prayed that what we had to present would mean something to our fellow students on campus,â 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 didnât form their organizations solely out of a desire to sing, dance or act â they formed the organizations out of a need for community and belonging.