GWU African Student Association

Year 2 of our Breast Cancer Awareness event was a resounding success! This past Saturday, we hosted a powerful collaboration with the Black Girl's Pre-Health Collective (BGPC) and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. This year's event built upon the foundation laid last year, creating an even more impactful and inspiring experience. Our gathering served as a beacon of hope, education, and support for those affected by breast cancer. We were honored to host esteemed speakers from the Thelma D. Jones Breast Cancer Fund, including Angela O. Walker and Sylvia Jackson, both Champions, Survivors, and Ambassadors. Their personal journeys and insights left attendees both informed and deeply moved. The highlight of the event was the creation of chemo care packages for patients currently undergoing chemotherapy at the GW Cancer Center. This hands-on activity allowed participants to directly contribute to the well-being of those battling this disease. The sense of community and shared purpose in the room was palpable as we worked together on this meaningful project. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this event a resounding success. From our dedicated organizers to our inspiring speakers and every attendee who lent their support, you all played a crucial role in spreading awareness and fostering a spirit of compassion. As we reflect on this event, let's carry forward the momentum and continue to support breast cancer awareness and research throughout the year. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by this disease. #BreastCancerAwareness #CommunityService #ASA #ZetaPhiBeta #BGPC #TogetherWeCan

Did you know 1 in every 100 men in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer every year? As October concludes, I would like to highlight a breast cancer awareness event I co-planned and co-facilitated. This event was a collaboration between two organizations here at GWU, The Black Girls Pre-Health Collective and the African Student Association. We were fortunate enough to have two speakers, Dr. Sherrie Wallington, a tenured professor and health disparities researcher here at the GWU School of Nursing and Gillian Lichota, the Founder and CEO of the iRise Above Foundation. Thank you to the American Breast Cancer Foundation for sending us self breast examination cards that we passed out to all attendees. Additionally, during the event we curated care packages of flower bouquets, bracelets, and cards for survivors of breast cancer as well as current patients. Thank you to the BREM Foundation for taking our care packages and distributing them! I am so happy this event was such a success and so grateful we were all able to learn more about breast cancer, become more aware of the health disparities surrounding breast cancer, and give back to survivors and fighters of breast cancer. #breastcancerawarenessmonth #iRiseabove #healthdisparities #pinkoctober

Last Saturday, I had the privilege of collaborating on organizing GWU’s African Students Association’s first service event of the year in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The initiative was a co-sponsorship with the Black Girl’s Pre-Health Collective (BGPC). This was an educational and service event that spread awareness of breast cancer’s health and impacts, celebrating breast cancer survivors while also remembering those lost. We were honored to have two wonderful guest speakers: Dr. Sherrie Wallington, tenured associate professor of health disparities and oncology at GWU, and Gillian Lichota, metastatic cancer survivor and founder of the iRise Above foundation. Their inspiring words left us feeling empowered and motivated to continue spreading awareness of breast cancer. In addition to the guest speakers, the event also incorporated making care bags to be donated to those affected by breast cancer, distributed by the Brem Foundation. It was heartwarming to see the community come together to support such an important cause. I wanted to thank everyone who participated in this highly informative, emotional, and impactful event and helped make it a success. I also wanted to thank our guest speakers Sherrie Flynt Wallington, PhD Gillian B. Lichota for supporting and inspiring the community, taking time out of their busy schedules to contribute to our event. #breastcancerawarenessmonth

Ina Kwana! ?? Endet Neh? ?? O ka ale! ?? This past Wednesday, GWU ASA hosted an exciting language lab in collaboration with GWU EESA. Our members came together for a vibrant exchange of languages and cultures. Through this event, we aimed to foster a cross-cultural understanding and celebrate the rich linguistic diversity that makes up the continent. Highlights of the Language Lab ? Participants learned greetings and phrases in various African languages ? Cultural insights were shared alongside linguistic and historical lessons ? Students practiced pronunciation and basic conversations Why Language Matters Language is the key to unlocking cultural understanding. By learning phrases like "Salaam Alaikum" (Peace be upon you), we build bridges between communities and foster a more inclusive campus environment amongst Africans on campus. Beh c kanam! See you later! ? #GWUCulturalExchange #LanguageLearning #AfricanLanguages #CampusDiversity

Before we embark on a new year with a fresh e-board, we want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to our recent graduates: Deseree Chacha, our President; Tiffany-Chrissy M., one of our TOA Directors; Josephine Jarra, one of our Event Coordinators; and Melissa Davies-Cole, one of our Service Chairs. Each of these remarkable women has played a pivotal role in the success of our ASA, leaving a lasting imprint with their leadership, dedication, and passion. We are incredibly proud of them and wish them the best in their future endeavors. Deseree Chacha has earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs, graduating Magna Cum Laude. As a Presidential Scholar and Elliott Equity Award Recipient, she has excelled academically and professionally, with internships across various sectors. Deseree will pursue her Master's at Johns Hopkins SAIS as a Public Service Fellow, with aspirations in policy-making and consulting focused on Africa. Tiffany-Chrissy M. earned her Bachelor of Science has wrapped up a prestigious Research Fellowship at Harvard University and is set to begin her Master's in Biomedical Science as a Dental Scholar at Rutgers University. She plans to contribute to WHO's efforts in establishing oral health policies across Africa, focusing on the 14% of countries with existing policies. Josephine Jarra has completed her degree in International Affairs with a minor in Marketing. Opting for a practical approach, she will join a two-year digital marketing program with a British company in Buenos Aires, with plans to pursue an MBA in the future. Josephine has also excelled as a teaching assistant and interned with top global media houses, showcasing her leadership and marketing skills. Melissa Davies-Cole graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, specializing in Health Equity and Epidemiology. As a Women's Leadership Program Scholar and President of NCNW, she has demonstrated leadership and commitment to health advancement. Melissa will continue her MPH studies while working as a Rehab Tech and interning at Children's National Hospital. We are so proud of your achievements and excited to see where your journeys take you next!