African Students Association

The African Students Association (ASA) was founded at Columbia University to create a support network for its members and “to promote and articulate the interests of African Students.” ASA is first mentioned in the Columbia Spectator in an article by Stuart Karle in 1980, discussing a day-long conference organized by the association on South Africa and the Sullivan Principles. ASA is first mentioned in Barnard College Mortarboards in 1988 under a list of recognized clubs and organizations. The association was initially only open to graduate students based at Teachers College, but was recognized by the Columbia College around 1994. ASA worked closely with the Institute of African Studies, organizing events that provided a forum to broaden awareness of African politics, economics, and culture across Columbia University. Events included African Cultural Night in 1994, featuring a masquerade, a fashion show, and poetry reading co-sponsored with the United Students of Color Council, Black Students Organization, and the Haitian Students Association. ASA also co-sponsored various events with institutions outside of Columbia University. In 1982 ASA collaborated with the Studio Museum of Harlem to host a screening of films from Africa, featuring works by Ousmane Sembene and Mahama Troare of Senegal. This collection contains correspondence between members inviting prominent African leaders to give talks at Columbia University, including one to H.E. Robert Mugabe, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe in 1987. Members also participated in the creation of flyers and brochures covering issues from “Life in New York City for African: What to expect? Where to go and where not to go?” to academic issues within Columbia University (as noted in meeting minutes from February 28th, 1994).