Augustana students worked in harmony to kick off Diversity Week at a Jam Session led by First-Year Jaylen Carter and hosted by the Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity (OSID) on Wednesday, April 23. Students gathered on the Brew Patio, picked up instruments and joined in the melody, celebrating diversity.
When students walked onto the Brew Patio, they were greeted with tubs full of instruments and a large spread of food. Students chose between maracas and tambourines, then hummus and buffalo dip. Once they grabbed a cold bottle of Jarritos, a popular Mexican soda, they found their seats and enjoyed the spring evening air. Some students tapped their feet tentatively at first, while others jumped in immediately, laughing with friends and clapping along to the beat.
Sam Wright, the assistant director and LGBTQ+ coordinator in OSID, collaborated with the Office of Student Life (OSL) to create a relaxed environment where students could unwind for Diversity Week.
“We were trying to think of a way to have everybody kind of come together,” Wright said. “And why not do that through art?”
Carter kicked off the event by introducing himself as “the hostess with the mostest,” inviting the audience in with his quick jokes. Carter introduced each instrument, describing their purpose and how their beat would blend into the sound.
The Jam Session exceeded expectations, even for Eboni Springfield, the assistant director of student life and leadership.
“A lot of the students initially were like, ‘Oh no, I won’t take an instrument,’” Springfield said. “By the end, they had three or four instruments in their hands. I love to see students getting those opportunities to step out of their comfort zone, learn something new and dive into new things that they might not necessarily have thought they would enjoy.”
In the planning stages, Springfield and Wright originally wanted to host a talent show. But as the Diversity Week theme evolved to “Harmony in Diversity,” they shifted their focus to an event that would allow everyone to participate. They wanted the opening night to set a tone that was welcoming, interactive and joyful, rather than intimidating or overly formal.
“We had in our head [that] we were going for ‘Camp Rock’ vibes,” Springfield said. “We knew we needed somebody that was really outgoing, really fun, really good with music, that could kind of lead folks.”
That’s when Carter stepped in.
Carter began playing percussion when he was about eight years old. Since then, his passion for music has grown, leading him to play percussion in the Augustana Concert Band today. His background helped him quickly read the group’s energy and guide them without making anyone feel pressured.
“I want [the audience] to just be taken in and captivated by the music that we make,” Carter said.
Not only did Carter lead the audience in creating the jam session, but he also performed an original song. If students missed Carter’s energy at the Jam Session, they can catch him at Sloughfest on May 3, hosted by the OSL.
