Ohio State student Ibrahim Bamba is out of his comfort zone.
Born in the Ivory Coast and raised from the age of six in New York, New Jersey and Cleveland, the junior in chemical engineering considers himself away from home at OSU.
But while away, he said the next best thing to having his family right beside him is being a member of OSU’s African Youth League – an organization that brings students from different African countries together to interact socially, talk about culture and educate the community on both current and future issues relating to the continent.
The organization meets weekly but holds monthly events open to the entire OSU community in order to advance its mission.
This week, AYL will be hosting Tribute To Africa, an education workshop being held each day from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center. As part of the event, students and faculty will interact to discuss topics such as hope for improved health and future development in Africa.
“We will talk about different countries in Africa, share some facts about them and also spotlight influential leaders in the countries,” said Florence Adegboye, a senior in a Personalized Study Program in women’s health and psychology. “We will also have guest speakers coming to speak and a few discussions set up.”
Tribute to Africa is open to people of all ethnic backgrounds and was developed to increase African awareness on campus and talk about subjects not traditionally covered in meetings and workshops about Africa.
Before the end of the event, discussion will be held about the connection between African history, fraternities and sororities, a connection not realized by many students, said Usiosefe Aimiuwu, a senior in materials science and engineering.
“(Three members) of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated were major African leaders,” Aimiuwu said. “They did not just step and promote brotherhood and leadership amongst their peers, but they led their peers and created the transition for independence for the entire continent.”
Although Monday kicked off the tribute and featured a discussion about North and South Africa, Thursday and Friday will cover East and West Africa.
Adegboye said discussion about the different parts of the continent will provide the opportunity for education that AYL looks for.
“Although we are all Africans, some of us have not been able to travel to other parts of the continent, other than the country we are from and some were even born in America,” she said. “This allows (for learning) about other countries and cultures in Africa.”
She also said discussion about members’ homelands and how they intertwine with American culture and other countries allows those who might be away from home to connect with other Africans and retain their pride.
Bamba agreed.
“I am nearly 200 miles away from home, but it is this organization that keeps me close to my heritage,” he said.
AYL members say this is the goal and encourage all those interested in the organization to attend one of their weekly meetings held every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Hale Center, room 145.
Uchechi Amadi can be reached at [email protected].
