The African Students Association at Arizona State University creates a space for people of all backgrounds to celebrate Black history throughout the year.
Naomi Inegbenedion, a sophomore studying community health and student adviser for the AFSA, said the association's mission is to educate and inform students about African culture, history and traditions while also helping African students find an on-campus community.
The association, reactivated in 2022 by Anyang Celbirio, a graduate student studying leadership and management, has since held fashion shows, dance classes and African parties throughout the year, Inegbenedion said.
During Black History Month, which is celebrated throughout February, Inegbenedion said the club holds weekly "Afro Grooves" dance classes to teach attendees about dances influenced by African history.
"Our culture is heavy with dances; We have different types of dances and different genres so our classes are mainly focused on South African dancing, specifically the genre called Amapiano," Inegbenedion said. "During the dance workshops, they will learn about the history of Amapiano, how it originated from within Africa and how it's now been brought over to the Western countries."
READ MORE: AFSA teaches South African dance styles through Afro-Grooves series
Mikayla Ssemakula, a freshman studying medical studies, said having clubs that celebrate Black History Month is important for recognizing the steps people took to ensure equality for Black Americans.
"To have Black History Month is to highlight all the things that people have done before in this country," Ssemakula said. "It's also our part to say, 'I am somebody who came from the dream that Martin Luther King Jr. had. I am somebody who has Black heritage and loves to celebrate it.'"
As an international student from Sudan, Aleeg Malual, a sophomore studying finance, said the club was a way for her to find a community she could rely on.
"Going into college, I was lost because I am a first-generation college student, so I didn't know where to start. That was a very big fear of mine," Malual said. "I was able to find that community I was looking for, I made such great friends through the African Student Association and they were all able to help me, both personally and professionally."
Since joining the club her freshman year, Malual said it is a great way to spread awareness and educate students on African culture.
"It's a great opportunity to share cultures because I'm sure not a lot of the other students at ASU know a lot about the African community," Malual said. "It kind of gives African students a community where they feel like they belong."
Inegbenedion said she had a first-hand experience of seeing the importance of having a diverse campus.
"Being able to come to ASU, I've seen different communities of not only like Black (people) and Africans but also Indians, Hispanics, and it's really broadened my eyes to see everyone's different cultures," Inegbenedion said. "Getting the opportunity to see diverse groups of individuals has been very rewarding."
Inegbenedion said she encourages students to join or start clubs to find an on-campus community because the AFSA's uniqueness has given her an opportunity to meet a diverse group of people.
"I would just say our club is really unique. I love it. It's been an amazing opportunity," Inegbenedion said. "We're all from Africa; however, some of us are from South Africa. Some of us are from West Africa. We all have different traditions and different cultures and ways of life. The world is so vast and so amazing."
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Edited by Senna James, Abigail Beck, Tiya Talwar and Katrina Michalak.
Reach the reporter at alillest@asu.edu and follow @allylillestol on X.
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Allison is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communication. This is her first semester at The State Press. She has also worked at Arizona PBS and Blaze Radio.
