Students, Alumni Rally to Keep Cut Affinity Programs Alive

"For years, Black students gathered at the University of Cincinnati's African American Cultural and Resource Center for its traditions, including the Tyehimba Black Graduation Celebration and Akwaaba, a welcome event for new students, among other programs. This year, the AACRC, at least as it once existed, is gone. It's been rebranded "the Cultural Center" after an Ohio law banned diversity, equity and inclusion activities at public colleges and universities in March."

"But Black students and alumni wouldn't let the center's traditions and resources die. Black seniors celebrated their graduations at an event held off campus. Freshmen gathered for Akwaaba, organized by students and funded by alumni, who created a foundation to sustain the AACRC's programming. The United Black Student Association and other student groups have committed to putting on programs throughout the year that were previously handled by AACRC staff."

An Ohio law banning diversity, equity and inclusion activities at public colleges prompted the University of Cincinnati to rebrand its African American Cultural and Resource Center as the Cultural Center. Black students and alumni organized and funded traditional events off campus, including graduation celebrations and Akwaaba for incoming students. Alumni created a foundation to sustain programming previously run by AACRC staff. Student groups such as the United Black Student Association committed to producing events throughout the year. Similar responses emerged nationwide as students and outside organizations hosted affinity graduations and some campus clubs broke from universities to avoid state limits and funding constraints.

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