Committee Corner International Festival International Awareness is one of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Five Point Programmatic Thrust, and on Saturday, June 5, 2021, members of the Richland County Alumnae (RCA) Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. supported the 26th Annual Columbia International Festival (CIF) held at the Columbia Fairgrounds, Columbia, SC. Dr. Raj Aluri, founder, established this festival to promote cultural diversity, realizing the strong role immigrants play within our community. Although the festival was scaled back due to the pandemic, nearly 100 world cultures were represented. With over 60 international vendors, an international bazaar allowed participants to shop for authentic clothing, jewelry, arts, and crafts. Sixteen countries established an international food court, selling foreign cuisines from around the world. Overall about 8000 people and families came out to enjoy this wonderful cultural event. Although the Richland County Alumnae Chapter did not officially participate in the event this year, fifteen chapter members served as volunteers to engage the international community with building better communities and promoting positive race relations. Volunteers served as greeters, distributed masks, registration assistants, gate attendants, and food service assistants. Whatever the task, volunteers from our chapter supported the event with smiles and sweet spirits. The World comes together when we put aside differences, appreciating each other for our uniqueness; while realizing we’re all God’s children. Fun was had by All😊
Submitted by, Mamie Hayes Hartwell
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