Four Black Clubs at the University of Oregon You Should Know About

Story by Elizabeth Briese

The University of Oregon consists of 18,446 students but only 456 of them are Black. The University has always had a small percentage of Black students on campus, which has pushed them to find community through student organizations. 

Each club below has the same goal: to provide a sense of community for Black students at this predominantly white institution (PWI), but they accomplish it in their own unique way. 

Below are four different Black clubs at the University of Oregon that you should know about.

Black Women of Achievement

“It’s not corny to care,” said Mary Gach, the internal coordinator for the University of Oregon’s Black Women of Achievement (BWA) club, “that’s the narrative I want to change, it’s cool to come to these meetings.” 

With over one thousand Instagram followers, BWA is a successful student organization on campus that highlights the achievements of Black women. They talk about the intersectionality of being Black and a woman or non-binary person. The organization has gained many members over the last few years which has created a special community on campus.

BWA is always welcoming new members and mainly prioritizes networks, friendships, and being more well-known on campus. As an identity-based club, it is extremely important that students are aware of their options when in search of a new community, especially at a predominantly white institution (PWI). The BWA aims to make its presence known on campus so that students do not feel lost or without options. 

“There’s something about when you’re with this large group of Black girls, all walking together at a PWI… It’s dope as fuck,” said Gach. “It makes you feel unstoppable,” added Esther Mozipo, the club’s external coordinator.

BWA makes students feel like they immediately fit in, and automatically gives you 15 new friends within 5 minutes. Members of BWA often say their only regret is “I wish I joined sooner.” 

The club strives to create a safety net for those involved because the BWA will be there for students to rely on. Whether it be playing games, vent sessions, naps in the BWA office, or school events, the BWA has a lot to offer and wants to provide that to you. 

They meet on Mondays every term, weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 in the Black Cultural Center from 6-7 PM. Follow their Instagram to stay up to date on their events and meetings:  https://www.instagram.com/bwauofo/ 

African Student Association

Largely known for its iconic events such as Africa Night and Glamour Night, the African Student Association (ASA) hosts weekly meetings for Black and African students on campus. The club provides a space to learn from each other, as the students come from all parts of the continent such as Mali, Senegal and Nigeria.

“This is a place where you can be with people who know where we come from,” said Sarah Tarore, the ASA president, “being African comes with specific cultural upbringings that not all students at the University can relate to.”

In ASA, you can expect to try different African dishes and have open conversations about the experiences of African students at UO. Some nights are filled with movies and games, whereas others may be more conversational and educational. 

The club aims to be a resource for students of all backgrounds looking for a sense of community. Come together and celebrate African culture!

If you are interested in supporting the African Student Association, its biggest event of the year is approaching in June 2023: Africa Night. A night filled with music, dancing, a live cheetah, and celebration. Come support and immerse yourself in a new environment within the UO community.

For more information about ASA, follow their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asa_uoregon/ 

Black Male Alliance

What is Black Male Alliance (BMA)? It’s a place for Black male students to come together and create lasting connections. They provide a safe space for Black men on campus to have critical dialogue, make friends, and network so the relationships last outside their experiences at the University of Oregon.

So far this school year, they have hosted game nights and collaborated with other identity-based clubs at the UO such as the Black Women of Achievement and the Latinx Male Association. The president, Des Acuay, said that he “had no idea we had Black clubs here” during his freshman year (2020-2021) when only freshmen were on campus due to Covid-19. Since then, he has become very involved with the BMA and the Black Cultural Center, which provides a physical resource for all Black students. 

BMA Treasurer Walker Hicks claims that the Black Cultural Center has been a great help to other Black clubs on campus and “the biggest resource for those looking for a safe space.”

The BMA’s goal for this year is to be more well-known on campus. Though Des is not a Chiefs fan, he and his club collaborated with the BCC to host a Super Bowl watch party and want to do similar events in the near future.

So, if you’re looking for fun banter, new friends, and lasting connections, stop by the Black Male Alliance club. New members are always welcome. They even have an office in the Multicultural Center in the EMU where members can stop by and hang out. 

They will bring back regularly scheduled meeting times in spring term 2023, but for now, follow their Instagram to stay aware of future events. 

https://www.instagram.com/uo_bma/