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Affiliated Student Organizations

The following programs are affiliated with the African American Studies department, and/or are sponsored by an AAS faculty member:

2 students at a table African American Students Department Club (AASDC) - Safoura Boukari, Advisor.
The purpose of the African American Studies Departmental Club is to promote
Africa American Studies as a major at Western Illinois University. Our goal is
to enhance our knowledge of African American culture, while educating others
about the African American experience in the United States. The department
club won the College of Arts and Sciences Council 2006 Departmental Student
Organization Award! It has remained the best college student organization that
helped students to remained engaged with scholarship, culture and society
upliftments on campus. The AASDC meets weekly on campus.

African Student Association - Audrey P. Watkins, Advisor.
Our mission is to promote diversity on WIU campus and Macomb, while teaching about and promoting African culture.

Conscience: African American Theatre Troop - Tamara Izlar, Director
The department of African American Studies in continuing to provide knowledge and understanding of the historical, social and cultural background, and current experiences of Black people in Africa and the Americas, has established Conscience: The African American Studies Troop, in which students will gather knowledge and experience in aspects of Black theatre including writing, acting, directing, and designing. The African American Studies Theatre troop (AASTT) will offer undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to explore African American Theatre history, text, and production through workshops, rehearsals, research opportunities, and field trips. The AASTT will strive to reinvent practical training and experience in Black Theatre, thus, providing a voice in which the campus community and city community can participate and benefit greatly.

View Conscience's Handbook and Constitution

Creative Writer's Society - Abdul-Rasheed Na'Allah, Advisor.
Our mission is to provide a forum for WIU students and Macomb community, to support their literary pursuits, help with their writing potential exemplifying the originality of thought, expression and emotion in written form. Visit the Society's Website

Heritage Choir - Alphonso Simpson, Jr., Faculty Choir Director.
A campus ensemble performs at various concerts and other venues. Our goal is to prepare the choir to reproduce the sound and style of African-American choral music. Genres include: traditional, historical, & contemporary gospel, and praise & worship music. Primary focus is on African-American spirituals, anthems, and hymns. Vocal instruction includes: Blue notes, slides, bends, growls, hollers,
squalls, etc.

Muslim Student Association - Abdul-Rasheed Na'Allah, Advisor.
Our mission is to develop an understanding toward the diversity (especially in religion) in campus community. WEBSITE

In addition to the student organizations listed, the University also offers other socio-cultural organizations for students of African-American heritage, these include: Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center, Black Student Association, and Black fraternities and sororities. For more information on student organizations contact the Office of Student Activities.