Student Groups
MSA Recognized Groups
African American Freshmen Activities Board (AAFAB)
AAFAB is a first-year only student group established to help new students get involved with the NU Black community. Students within this group plan social and community service events primarily for first-year students within the Black community, while learning the ends and outs of NU student group policies. These tools and skills help students transition into various student groups and executive board positions by their sophomore year.
African Student Association (ASA)
ASA is a student organization that promotes African Awareness within the greater Northwestern community. The group’s main goal is to provide a deeper understanding of the roots and histories of African culture. Some programs that ASA hosts are Afropollo, the annual Cultural Show, and a lecture series each quarter. ASA also mentors African children weekly at the Sunlight African Community Center.
African American Theatre Ensemble (AATE)
AATE serves to expose the Northwestern community to the fullest spectrum of theatrical work and interpretation by producing and/or sponsoring African American plays, poetry reading, variety shows, ceremonies and rituals. AATE seeks to provide a forum where both experienced and amateur performers can participate in productions highlighting the African American experience.
BlackBoard
BlackBoard, Northwestern University’s Black student magazine, serves as an open forum for student expression. Contributing writers of the magazine hope to challenge readers to think critically. E pluribus Unum, “out of one, many,” the slogan of the magazine, acts as a symbol for a unified Black community. BlackBoard strives to provide the campus and surrounding areas with a perspective of the Black community they would not normally see.
CaribNation
CaribNation promotes cultural awareness of the Caribbean throughout both the Northwestern and the surrounding community. Through celebrating, preserving, and educating others about Caribbean culture, CaribNation satisfies these objectives. In addition to reaching out to the community, CaribNation aims to offer guidance to undergraduates of Caribbean descent by utilizing a strong, collective voice.
For Members Only (FMO)
For Members Only, more commonly referred to as FMO, is the voice of the Black community at Northwestern. Providing major programming throughout the year as well as partaking in co-sponsored events, FMO’s goal is to raise political, social, and cultural awareness of the Black community throughout Northwestern’s campus and the surrounding Evanston area. FMO members are the dedicated few who don’t stand by and criticize, but stand up and promote change.
Throughout the year, FMO collaborates with other student groups to enhance the Black student experience. Some of the programs include the Black Family Reunion, State of the Black Union Address as well as their annual Spring Concert. Their collaborative efforts include programming with the Northwestern University Black Alumni Association (NUBAA) as well as ASG and AASA. Being one of the largest student groups within NU, FMO dedicates its time to making Northwestern University the best environment it can be for the NU African American student community.
House on the Rock (HOTR)
House on the Rock (HotR) is a chapter of the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and has been serving Northwestern’s Black community for over 25 years. HotR’s goal is to build a family of Spirit-filled Kingdom builders and to provide students with an environment that fosters community and spiritual growth.
Minority Business Association (MBA)
The vision of MBA is to equip its members with a well rounded base of experiences to be successful in their profession. Our end goal is for all members to either pursue post graduate education or to graduate with a full time job. We aim to create minority leaders who are pioneers in their respective industries with a commitment to giving back to their communities through education, experience, and opportunity.
Minorities in the Pursuit of Law (The Pursuit)
The Pursuit serves minority undergraduate students who are interested in furthering their education or careers in the field of law. The group works to provide effective and informational programming, resources, and contacts for the membership body.
Movement Dance and Step Team
The purpose of Movement is to create and showcase the many aspects of Black dance and step. This includes African, Caribbean, Afro-Caribbean, and African American dancing and stepping styles of expressive performance. Through various dance styles including hip-hop, dancehall, modern, ballet, as well as non-Greek affiliated step, Movement strives to promote diversity on NU’s campus.
National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)
The National Association of Black Journalists-Northwestern University chapter is an organization that operates as a resource for those students interested in journalism and other media related fields. NABJ stands as a support network for students interested in the field of journalism, an industry struggling to grow its diversity.
NABJ believes that minorities need resources beyond what the journalism school and other journalism groups provide to break down real or imagined barriers to entering the field. Mentoring, speakers and career preparation activities, such as writing sample critiques, make up most of NABJ’s programming.
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
NSBE is dedicated to the realization of a better tomorrow through the development of intensive programs for increasing the recruitment, retention, and successful graduation of minorities in engineering. NSBE members represent all that is positive in the black community. This organization displays its broader relevance through community action. Additionally, NSBE continues to be the primary platform for displaying the vast array of Black technical talent to the world.
Northwestern Community Ensemble (NCE)
NCE was founded in 1971 and provided an outlet for Black students who found themselves unwelcome in various other choral groups. Today, NCE has become a haven and spiritual release for all NU students and remains rooted in the rich heritage found in Black gospel music and worship. Moving into its 40th year, NCE remains fiercely dedicated to its commitment to bring spiritual inspiration to the Northwestern University and the surrounding community.
One Step Before (OSB)
The purpose of One Step Before is to serve the minority premedical students of Northwestern University by providing valuable information that premedical students need prior to attending medical school, through meetings, workshops, and events. This organization works diligently to stimulate the interests of premedical students at Northwestern University in the medical field by encouraging and promoting all minorities in medicine.
Fraternities and Sororities
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
- National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
Collaborations and Coalitions
- Coalition of Colors
- One Voice
- UNITY