Different cultures, foods, hairstyles all part of the activities
While it's going to be virtual, there will still be a lot to celebrate with UBC Okanagan's African Caribbean Student Club (ACSC) during Black History Month.
Each February the student-led cultural organization, consisting of about 200 students, gears up to celebrate and share their cultural backgrounds. The students come from many different countries and yet have a unique passion about their history that they love to share, explains club president Jane Udochi. The club hosts events throughout the year to highlight the diversity of African and Caribbean culture.
"The ACSC strives to highlight Black excellence on campus through everything we do," she says. "It encourages the celebration of traditions both from Africa and the Caribbean, and gives a platform for these cultures to be celebrated. For a lot of us, it reminds us of home."
February is Black History Month across Canada and the students have been especially busy organizing a number of virtual events this month.
"Despite the activities being virtual we, as an executive team, still wanted to celebrate Black history with the community," says Udochi. "We wanted to do our best to encompass the theme of Black joy and intersectionality that highlights the parts of ourselves that make the Black community so amazing. We want to share this experience with as many people as we can and the good thing about being virtual is that it allows us to do that."
Udochi says she is proud UBCO has the ACSC because it is a true demonstration of the university's values and helps everyone to celebrate and support the many different cultural societies in the community.
UBCO's Equity Inclusion Office (EIO) has teamed up with the student club to present a number of virtual events throughout the month including Black Care Baskets. The care basket initiative is created by the EIO in collaboration with UBCO International Program and Services, Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic, Campus Health and locally-based clothing store OKGN Lifestyle to support Black community and connection.
