North Texas Daily

Olivia Sylvain /  Staff Writer

UNT Black Student Union will host Umoja Night on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in ESSC 255 to introduce new students to black student organizations.

BSU is the governing organization over all black student organizations at UNT. Umoja Night will be an opportunity for new students to get familiar with these organizations based on their interest. BSU president and theater senior Claudia Hullett said the event is an important way for students to become more familiar with one another.

“It’s a wonderful time for students to come together,” Hullett said. “It’s not a traditional orientation structure this year. It’s a little more formal, like a showcase.”

Attendees will have a chance to hear leaders from each organization speak about their group and the plans they have for the semester. Following the presentations, students can meet individually with organization members to get more information.

Umoja is a Swahili word meaning “unity,” a theme that philosophy junior Imani Waweru of BSU hopes will resonate throughout the semester.

“We want to bring all the organizations together and encourage students to be bold and find their interests,” Waweru said.

Although BSU is a predominantly black organization, development and family studies junior Lauren Hardgraves of BSU hopes that students will consider working together for the sake of the university as a whole.

“We serve the black community on campus, but before we serve anyone, we serve the university,” Hardgraves said. “When we speak of unity, the primary purpose is to get together so we can educate others.”