Our History:

The African Student Congress (ASC) was founded in 1976, comprised representatives from all of the African (in diaspora) organizations at the various New Brunswick campuses. This governing body was dedicated to arousing the consciousness within the University community of the African Diaspora. The congress worked with both faculty and students, addressing both political and community-related issues. The ASC was an umbrella organization to the plethora of African organizations at the time, much like the United Black Council is today. As the ASC had both a strong membership and high level of member participation, the organization grew and subsequently received more funding from the University.


In addition to handling the political concerns of the people and other community issues, the ASC also put on programs for members of the Rutgers community. With the advent of more funding, the organization sought to pioneer change both at the University and abroad. In order to manage the social aspect of student service more efficiently, the ASC created the African Student Congress Programming Board (ASCPB). This committee of ASC members took on the responsibility of coordinating and overseeing the scheduling of all activities within the scope of the African-American festivals celebrated annually. Among these programs were a Pre-Kwanzaa Event, African-American History Month, a Black Arts Festival, and a Unity Picnic. The board handled these programs with funding from the ASC.

Over time, the ASCPB procured a greater membership and was granted permission in 1985 to become a separate organization from the ASC. As the ASC continued to address policies and move for university change,  the ASCPB, which later became the Black Student Union circa 1996, continued to work for the students. The Black Student Union is known for their social and cultural events, in addition to speakers they brought to campus to arouse and uphold the consciousness of the student body. Among the Black Student Union's events were a Kwanzaa festival, a Black History Month Program, and Unity Day. The Black Student Union was also responsible for bringing a number of speakers to campus, including Minister Louis Farrakhan, the President of the NAACP Dr. Benjamin Chavis, and members of the cast of "A Different World").

Today, the Black Student Union strives to hold fast this foundation, working for and by the students, to uphold a cultural consciousness, and effect change in the Rutgers community.



**Compiled by jameel morrison
Contains information extracted from  the 1993-4 African-American and Latino Student Organization Directory and the Rutgers University 1998-9 First Year Student Welcoming Ceremony Resource Guide and conversations with Dion W. Lewis of the Paul Robeson Cultural Center