The Afrikan Student Union was founded by Dr. Arthur Graham and Judge Napoleon Jones in 1968, as the Black Student Council. Since the time, the name has changed, first to the Black Student Union and later to the Afrikan Student Union. Although the name has changed, the basic premise has remained the same. The Afrikan Student union exists to provide a unified body of Afrikan students on campus in order to aid in satisfying the academic, financial, social, educational, and cultural need of the Afrikan Students attending San Diego State University. The Afrikan Student Union focuses on the collective “WE” over the individual “I”.
MISSION STATEMENT
It is the mission of the ASU at SDSU to serve all Afrikan people by working toward the upliftment of the Afrikan culture economically, politically, socially, and educationally both on the SDSU campus and in the greater San Diego community. As an organization, the ASU works to build solidarity with the primary focus being among Afrikan students, and secondarily among all SDSU students. Through programming, the ASU seeks to instill pride in our rich culture and ancestral history, while serving as a resource base for Afrikan students. The ASU also serves to provide outreach services to youth in the greater San Diego community and is committed to the liberation and freedom of the mind, body, and spirit from a European worldview to an Afrikan-centered worldview. The ASU further exists to increase knowledge and awareness relevant to the history and contributions of Afrikan people and to foster dignity and respect for all.
OUR VALUES
The Afrikan Student Union finds the following set of values to be fundamental to the facilitation of our mission. These values are, first, the Nguzo Saba, which are Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith). Secondly, the Seven Cardinal Virtues of Maat, which are Truth, Justice, Harmony, Balance, Order, Reciprocity and Propriety.
In addition the Afrikan Student Union values Trust, Patience, Compassion, Communication, Persistence, Perseverance, Commitment, Love, Understanding, Ethics, Integrity, Passion and PEACE!