ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio University Office of Multicultural Programs will host an Umoja Karamu Soul Food Dinner at 6 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 4, in the Baker University Center Ballroom.

Umoja Karamu, which means "unity feast" in the African language Swahili, was created in 1971 to inject new meaning and solidarity into the black family through ceremony and symbol.

The feast is based around five colors, which represent five historical periods in African-American history. Black represents black families before slavery, white symbolizes the scattering of black families during slavery, red denotes the liberation from slavery, green signifies the struggle for civil equality and gold implies hope for the future.

Ohio University Professor of African-American Studies Francine Childs is among the featured speakers at the dinner.

"Umoja Karamu is similar to a Thanksgiving dinner and is being held to celebrate family unity," said Linda Daniels, director of multicultural programs.

Tickets for the dinner are $12 and can be purchased at the Office of Multicultural Programs in 205 Baker University Center. Seating is limited, so make plans to purchase your tickets early. For more information, call Multicultural Programs at (740) 593-4027.