1998 WVU graduate Sarah Culberson has returned to campus—and her hometown of Morgantown—to speak at the 20th annual Women of Color Celebration. She will talk about life as an African princess and an advocate for the people of Bumpe, in Sierra Leone, West Africa. More about Sarah Culberson

This event, sponsored by WVU?s Council for Women?s Concerns and the President’s Office for Social Justice, is a highlight of Diversity Week and is also part of the University’s Inauguration week activities.

Today’s luncheon will be webcast at 11:30 a.m. Note: Quicktime is required to view video and can be downloaded at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/. There will be a pause during the webcast while lunch is served.

Notes and photos from the event will be posted below as the luncheon progresses. Refresh your Web browser for the latest information.

President Mike Garrison opened the luncheon welcoming those in attendance.

?It is my pleasure today to celebrate with you the contributions that women of color make to this university community?. I think it?s very appropriate that this event comes during Diversity Week and Homecoming Week because I think it?s very important to continue to weave the message of diversity into who we are as a university,? he said.

President Mike Garrison

Council for Women’s Concerns Chair Toni Morris (left) and keynote speaker Sarah Culberson (right)

Keeping with the “Coming Home” theme of the inauguration week, Sarah Culberson entitled her presentation, “The Essence of Home,” and opened by sharing key memories that define Morgantown as her home—picking blackberries in the forest, fishing at Cheat Lake, taking dance classes at the Coliseum, cross country skiing at Coopers Rock, seeing performers at the Creative Arts Center, the intense rivalry between University and Morgantown High Schools, and the friendliness of Morgantown residents.

Sarah Culberson

She also talked about the decision she made to find her birth father, quickly learning that she was an African princess, and making the trip to Sierra Leone to meet him for the first time. She was welcomed by more than 200 people, and the women of the village welcomed her with a special song.

?I had never been there before. I didn?t know anyone. But it felt like home.?

Culberson played a video, Bumpenya (Lady of Bumpe): The Story of Sarah Culberson, about her first visit to Sierra Leone to meet her birth father, Joseph Konio Kposowa. During her visit, she was also introduced to the destruction the village had endured during the 11-year civil war. Realizing that she needed to help in some way, Sarah started a fundraising campaign for Bumpe High School that was heavily damaged by rebel troops. For more about the effort and The Kposowa Foundation, please visit http://www.bumpenya.com.

Toni Morris and Sarah Culberson

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