In line with our mission statement and in recognition of the need to create a proper awareness and support for the development of Africa, our program this year will involve two major schemes namely; Awareness & Advocacy, and Catering to Africa at the Mecca. The list of program topics, descriptions, and focal business areas is as follows:

Awareness & Advocacy

It is our aim this year to sustain a year long awareness campaign to sensitize the Howard community and the world at large of the importance of finding lasting cures for world diseases that result in losses of life yearly due to inadequate and outright unavailability of medical and socio-political assistance. Also, we intend to capture the true essence and importance of education to any society; mostly emphasizing its importance to Africa and her development. To attain this goal, we intend to implement the following:

HIV/AIDS, Malaria & Tuberculosis Fund

We intend to partner with organizations like UNICEF, Global Fund to fight Aids, Tuberculosis & Malaria amongst others, to provide financial as well as non-financial assistance to support the study and provision of lasting cures for these diseases. We shall create and auction several merchandizes like African artifacts, hand bands and other paraphernalia, in addition to actively soliciting for donations from various entities to increase awareness and raise money to fight and conquer this scourge.

Campus-wide World AIDS Day Campaign/Concert

To properly mark World Aids Day this year, we intend to execute a massive campus wide campaign and concert, preferable showcasing notable musicians, advocates and public dignitaries. Our plan is to involve several organizations and student bodies on campus to ensure adequate coverage and broad impact of this program.

Education Cup & Fund

What sounds better than having fun while making a difference? Hardly anything, this event/league is planned to involve interested student organizations from several colleges in the region who will all compete for an education trophy in support of educating children. Proceeds from this tournament will be utilized to further the education efforts of select children and/or schools here and in Africa. This event will also provide an avenue for our members and all participants to relax and enjoy the healthy competition between the various teams vying for the trophy. A scholarship fund will also be set up to collect donations towards educating these children who represent the future of the continent and our globe.

Books for Africa

We have started liaising with libraries to collect books for use in schools in Africa. It is our hope that through efforts like this coupled with those of other benevolent citizens and patriotic Africans, youths in Africa will be empowered with the intellectual capital to initiate changes that will drive sustainable development on the continent.
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Catering to Africa at the Mecca

It is our pledge and desire this year to satiate our electorate’s appetite with a plethora of carefully planned and executed activities. Our activities will provide a fun and intellectually enriching forum for our members and the entire student body to network and build bridges amongst Africans of different countries of origin as well as non-Africans while giving the motherland a well deserved image on this campus and beyond. A non-exhaustive list of our planned events is as follows:

African Business Forums

This key function would be a drive for African business initiatives and an excellent avenue to educate participants on the business opportunities that abound in Africa and some key elements on how to implement strategic business models on the continent. The engagement of corporate America will be imperative in this regard so as to benefit from time tested practices and ideas that have proven successful in and for the American and Western economy in general. Hence, we strongly seek corporate participation in this regard.

Community Service Events

HU-ASA is actively involved in community events around the DC Metro area. The pre-existing activities and the contacts we have include; Turning The Page (TTP) which is a DC-based nonprofit mentoring program oriented towards elementary schools in the DC-Metro area. TTP links public schools, families and our community with the aim of ensuring that young D.C. students receive valuable educational resources and a high quality public education. Turning the Page organizes community nights at Aiton Elementary, Benning Elementary, Bruce-Monroe Elementary, Garfield Elementary, Gibbs Elementary, Kenilworth Elementary, King Elementary and Merritt Educational Center.
HU ASA Annual Fashion Show: This has been a n annual event that showcases the beautiful culture and unique style of Africans at home and in the Diaspora. This event is highly renowned and popular on campus and around Howard University community.

HU ASA Annual Fashion Show

This has been a n annual event that showcases the beautiful culture and unique style of Africans at home and in the Diaspora. This event is highly renowned and popular on campus and around Howard University community.

Panel Discussions

At different points during the school year, we would organize panel discussions that would involve both students and outside sources who will discuss the different issues that affect us as students, Africans and as individuals. We will make an effort to discuss topics that are most pressing on the minds of our members.

Debate on Pertinent Issues

As another measure to discuss and address current events, we will hold debates which would be open to members to communicate their opinions to the general body. The most pertinent issues in the following areas: World & African Issues, United States Politics, Howard University Issues etc, would be covered in these sessions.

Monthly Newsletter

We will be starting up a newsletter that would be managed by a selected committee. This newsletter would be used to communicate important information and monthly activities as the semester goes by. It would also be a medium to give some of our members the opportunity to get involved with writing and managing a column.