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Student Groups

students sitting together

All organizations work interdependently along with the BCC to provide support to their members and education to the larger campus.

Student Groups

SASS

Label: Swarthmore African-American Student Society

The Swarthmore African-American Student Society provides support for its members primarily through political and community building activities. The major goals of the organization are to increase the number of Black students, faculty and staff; infuse a greater Black perspective into the curriculum; improve the quality of life for Black students on campus; advocate for the advancement of Black people outside of Swarthmore; and to maintain a strong supportive Black community.

SASA

Label: Swarthmore African Student Association

The Swarthmore African Student Association is a support group formed to address issues affecting the lives of Continental African students at Swarthmore. Part of SASA's mission is to enrich the experiences of the general community by fostering a deeper awareness of issues about Africa.

SOCA

Label: Students Of Caribbean Ancestry

Students Of Caribbean Ancestry provides a support community for Swarthmore students who have lived in, or have families from or have strong interests in the Caribbean. The organization provides its diverse membership with a sense of home and family while here at Swarthmore. It also allows students to learn from each other about one another's respective Caribbean roots and cultural experiences.

EESA

Label: Ethiopian and Eritrean Student Association

Swarthmore’s Ethiopian Eritrean Student Association (ESSA) is home to Ethiopian-Eritrean Swarthmore students who are both native-born and diaspora. ESSA hopes to raise awareness about the Ethio-Eritrean culture, people and history. One of ESSA’s missions is to embrace the differences between our cultures and provide a community of support.

Gospel Choir

The Gospel Choir is another critical facet of the Swarthmore Black community. Founded by ten students in 1971, the Choir "serves as a spiritual uplift, a cultural identification, and a special outlet for Black students at Swarthmore." It performs periodically throughout the year. After graduating, former choir members are eligible for membership in the internationally acclaimed Swarthmore Alumni Gospel Choir.

Mjumbe

Mjumbe, which means "messenger" in Swahili, is the literary magazine produced by students of African diaspora at Swarthmore College. The next issue of Mjumbe will feature a series of critical essays about the current condition of people of African diaspora.

BLACK

BLACK is a student group focused on supporting Black men and Black male-identifying individuals on campus. Its mission is to create a sense of family and community among Black men for the sake of their social, academic, and all-around growth as men and better individuals.