On September 11, African Leadership Academy’s community gathered for Taalu, our annual cultural homecoming. Students and staff arrived in traditional and cultural attire to celebrate the countries, languages, music, food, and stories they bring to campus.
At the center of the day was the Parade of Nations, where each country represented at ALA took its turn in the auditorium. Through music, dance, flags, and plenty of cheering, students shared something of home with the people they now live and learn alongside. Poetry, speeches, and shared meals rounded out the celebration.
This year’s theme, Homecoming, made room for a familiar feeling: returning to a place does not mean returning as the same person. The baobab tree was the symbol for the day, connecting the roots that ground us with the growth that happens when we encounter new people and ideas.
For returning students, Taalu was a chance to reconnect. For new students, it was an introduction to the community they are helping shape, and an invitation to bring their own traditions into it.
Watch the video below for highlights from Taalu 2026.
