Photo essay: Nyumburu's 2021 Homecoming Juke Joint

One of the highlights of the University of Maryland’s 2021 Homecoming Week was Nyumburu’s Homecoming Juke Joint. The annual event was held in STAMP’s Grand Ballroom and was hosted by alumni Jason Reynolds ‘05 and Opeyemi Owoeye ‘16 and senior information science major Joshua Adjei. Owoeye is also known by her stage name, “O-Slice.” The event featured various student performances in poetry, song and dance. 

There were students who were performing for the first time and those who had performed at the event before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was a combination between some encouragement from close friends of mine as well as something I wanted to do for me,” said sophomore business finance and marketing major Shayne Richmond when asked about his motivation to perform at the Homecoming Juke Joint.

Due to the pandemic, last year’s Homecoming Juke Joint had pre-recorded performances over Zoom. The transition back into in-person activities made many students excited to perform live again.

 “I was very happy to be performing in person at Juke Joint once more. This performance was a time for our girls to gain experience and show off their talent and hard work,” said senior public health major and president of African dance team Afrochique Lisa Anoruo.

The music group 242 lights up the stage as they perform their song “Move Slowly” at Nyumburu’s Homecoming Juke Joint in STAMP’s Grand Ballroom on October, 27 2021. (Ashley Ankapong/The Black Explosion)

One of UMD’s dance team, The Star Strutters pose as they wait to begin their performance. (Ashley Ankapong/The Black Explosion)

Sophomore business finance and marketing major Shayne Richmond performed an original song and a cover of a song from the movie “Rio.” (Ashley Ankapong/The Black Explosion)

The UMD dance troupe Afrochique performed an Olympic-themed dance number at the Homecoming Juke Joint. (Ashley Ankapong/The Black Explosion)

R&B artist Ayodeji Omo, also known by his stage name Day-G, tries to energize the crowd during his performance at Nyumburu’s Homecoming Juke Joint event. (Ashley Ankapong/The Black Explosion)

UMD Hip-hop dance group Dynamic dancing to a Go-Go track in their performance. (Ashley Ankapong/The Black Explosion)