"I cannot imagine a Harvard without Kuumba," Winfrey says. "You can see how it enriches the University community."

Through programs like the Afro-American Studies department, the W.E.B. DuBois Institute and Kuumba, Winfrey says Harvard's commitment to black history and culture serves as an international example.

"Kuumba provides music unlimited," Winfrey says. "We spread a message of love and peace in artistic renditions--and live it also."

"If they were just a polished stand-up choir, that would have value in itself. But there's more. There are the human values," he says.

Winfrey says he is most proud of the family atmosphere of the ensemble, and the success of its members.

Alumni return to Harvard and tell Winfrey that their experiences with Kuumba were "the guiding light to their careers."

"They are Harvard graduates but they always call themselves Kuumba alumni," Winfrey says, "and that makes my heart glad beyond expression."

No Slowing Down

Winfrey shows no signs of stopping soon.

Pending a final decision from Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III, Winfrey--who is also retiring from his position at Boston's Roland Hayes School of Music--will become an advisor to Kuumba.

Winfrey says when his parents died about 10 years ago, working with Kuumba allowed him to resolve his grief--and focused him on perhaps his next project: completing his doctoral work and writing a dissertation on the training and the role of the black church music director.

"Kuumba has always been a source of personal growth and fulfillment," the 64-year-old Winfrey says. "I don't know if other groups have that spirit. We've got it."