African-American Group Unifies Students
After only one year in existence, the student group African Diaspora at HSPH boasts 30 members, a new mission statement, and a desire to increase awareness of ethnicity issues in public health on campus and in wider communities.
The group formed over the 1998-99 academic year and offers students a chance to build relationships, address concerns, and promote projects.
"It is not an issue of color; it is an issue of common experiences, culture, and language,"said Linda Marc, vice president of the group.
Other officers are Cassandra Arroyo, president; Kevin Roberts, secretary; and Maleeka Glover, treasurer.
The group chose "diaspora" because it signifies unity among all the peoples of African descent: Afro-American, Afro-Carribean, Afro-European, Afro-Asian, and African, said Marc.
The students want to see more HSPH classes that reflect African-American concerns. Both Marc and Kimberlee Wyche, a member, said that they want to return to their homes with coursework and contacts that address their communities' needs.
"We are not only going back to these communities as professionals, but we are going back there to live," said Marc. The group believes the HSPH administration is interested in their concerns and plans to approach it with suggestions.
Students of the African Diaspora meet monthly. All HSPH students are
welcome to join, and there are no membership fees. The group plans a speaker
series.
