Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn more about what UBUNTU means from Umoja.

UBUNTU is an event that highlights the students with African backgrounds, where they can gather with other students with similar backgrounds, and share what it’s like to be African and to know what it’s like to be part of a community. 

The meaning behind the word UBUNTU is that we are all one, one person through the African community and that community is valued equally. 

“UBUNTU is a Nguni Bantu term that means Humanity which translates to Humanity towards others or I am because we are. The meaning behind it means that we need people around us and that we need a community, and that it stands for if one person wins everyone wins, signifying an alliance,” said Grace Fusu-Bosako, a Inter-Cultural Center peer facilitator. 

This will be a one-time only event, but there will be more events like this one in the future. UMOJA and the ICC program collaborated together to host this event for everyone to join. 

For this event, people are not only encouraged to sit down and talk, but to bring food to the potluck as well. There will be a variety of cultural dishes that represent different parts of Africa. 

The UBUNTU event is about getting people together and giving them an opportunity to talk about their African experiences. Attendees are encouraged to talk about the similarities and differences between Africans and Black Americans, and what it’s like being born in America and being born in Africa. 

“The most important part of this is that we want to highlight our similarities rather than our differences because that will make us stronger, and what will give us the opportunity to learn from each other, and hear each other’s stories,” said Fusu-Bosako. 

“Our goal is to be able to be a community for people and be understanding. And to let you know that we are here for you, and that you can rely on those in your community and not just in the ambassadors. We want to create a safe place for people so they can lean on each other for support,” said Nivy Wright, an Umoja ambassador. 

Some of the challenges Umoja has experienced has involved getting information out to those that live in the dorms. 

“The only obstacles we have run into were getting the word out there for students on campus in those that live in the dorms so that way they are aware of events that are happening on campus and that would like to join,” said Wright. 

This event was supposed to be on February 14, but due to the weather the event had to be postponed until further notice.