Aicha Sawaneh / The Jambar
College is weird. One minute, you’re trying to figure out where your class is, and the next, you’re deep in a conversation about life with people you just met.
Somewhere between the lectures, the late-night study sessions and the overpriced coffee, you start to realize that what really makes college worth it isn’t just the degree — it’s the people.
If you’re looking for a place to find your people, the African and Caribbean Student Union might just be it. ACSU isn’t just another student organization for me — It’s a space where culture, conversation and community collide in the best way possible.
Whether you grew up in an African or Caribbean household or you just want to learn more, ACSU welcomes everyone. It’s the kind of organization where you can walk in knowing no one and leave feeling like you are part of something bigger all along.
One of the best things about ACSU is its ability to bring people together, not just through shared backgrounds, but through shared experiences.
The events are where this really comes to life. Take “Hot Takes” for example — an event where students gather to debate the boldest, most unfiltered opinions on culture, identity and whatever else comes up in the moment. It’s loud, it’s unpredictable and sometimes, it gets a little heated.
That’s what makes it great. You never really know where the conversation will go, but you always leave with something new to think about — and maybe a slightly stronger opinion on Jollof-rice supremacy.
Beyond the debates, ACSU creates spaces where students can just exist and be themselves. Game nights, cultural showcases and social gatherings make it more than just a club — it’s a home away from home.
There’s something about being in a room full of people who just get it, whether that means laughing over inside jokes about immigrant parents or bonding over the shared struggle of explaining cultural traditions to confused classmates. It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe but impossible to ignore.
For me, ACSU has been a support system. Some of my closest friends are people I met through ACSU and they’ve been there for me through some of my hardest moments.
College can be overwhelming, and life doesn’t pause because you have assignments due. But having a group of people who not only celebrate your culture, but also lift you up when you need it most, that’s something special.
College can feel isolating, especially if you’re far from home, but having a space where you don’t have to explain yourself — where people just understand — makes all the difference. It’s about belonging, celebrating culture in all its forms and finding joy in the community.
If you’ve ever felt like you were missing that sense of connection on campus, ACSU is a good place to start. Show up to an event, join the conversation and see what happens. You might just find the people who make Youngstown feel like home.