Itanwa Orinwa was founded in 2004 at Syracuse University by a group of distinguished Black students. It is an annual ceremony that honors all degree candidates who identify as members of the African Diaspora including, but is not limited,  African American, African, Caribbean, and Latin American students.

The purpose of Itanwa Orinwa is to celebrate collective accomplishments, acknowledge the historical plight of Black peoples’ pursuit to and through higher education systems, and to provide a historical voice and story that can be a legacy for generations to come.

The ceremony recognizes degree candidates as scholastic leaders and the program also includes student performances, a keynote speaker, and the distribution of authentic Kente stoles.

Presented by the Descendants of Africa Congratulatory Committee and the Department of African American Studies for degree candidates and families.