Groups and Organizations

An outcome of activities at the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center is friendship. The positive experience enjoyed by the students becomes a vehicle for the dissemination of cultural information. In an attempt to extend the cultural and educational experience beyond the formal classroom, the Center offers students the opportunity to participate in several unique organizations.

Black Student Association (BSA)

The Black Student Association promotes the general welfare of all culturally diverse populations, maintains high scholastic standards, and nurtures unity and pride among black students. The Black Student Association office is located in the Student Organization Center of the University Union; phone number is: 298-3255. The BSA General Assembly meets every Monday at 4:30 pm in the University Union.

Christian Faith Campus Ministry (CFCM)

Christian Faith Campus Ministry (CFCM) is a non-denominational , predominantly African American group of anointed young people who are going forth boldly and without hindrance, seeking to serve the Lord our God with our whole hearts, even as David did in his youth. As Paul instructed the young minister, Timothy, I Timothy 4:12, "Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, conversation, in charity (love), in spirit, in faith, in purity," so we strive to be. We desire to exemplify all of these things in our lives.

Our ministry has been at Western Illinois University for over 20 years and is unique in that it is student-run and student-populated. CFCM is a training ground for many Christian leaders of the future. It is a place where the Truth, the whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth is taught. We study the Word to show ourselves approved, workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth (II Timothy 2:15). We believe that there is on God and that the only way to Him is through Jesus Christ, God the son (John 14:16). We believe that, when you receive Jesus as you Lord and Savior, you are endued with His power through the gift of the Holy Spirit according to Acts 1:8.

Our goal is to reach out and bring in souls for Christ. We want everyone to know that all they are looking for, all that they wish to attain the healing that they need and want from physical pain and emotional scars are found in Jesus. We seek to do this through the auxiliaries of CFCM. The auxiliaries are: Bible Study - an intensive study of Christian lifestyle, growth, the ministry of Jesus and evangelism; Greeters-Ushers - a team that greets and welcomes people as they come to service, fulfills the needs of the people during service, and receives the offers; Echoes of Grace - a choir whose main objective is to lift up the name of the Lord and minister through song; the Audio-Visual Ministry group whose goal is to enhance the quality of service with technology; and the Praise Team - a team that helps lead the people in worshipping and reverencing our Lord and Savior.

Worship Services are held Sundays at 1:00 pm at the Wesley United Methodist Church.

African Student Association (ASA)

The African Student Association was formally recognized by the school in December, 1997. Before then it had existed as a student regulated body to bring together the Africans on campus. Our scope has since grown bigger. Our aim is to promote African culture through various projects, activities, and events to the WIU and the Macomb communities.

The organization is open to all who seek to know more about Africa. This is clearly reflected in our membership, which is growing slowly but surely.

Events that we traditionally sponsor each year include the African Heritage Night which uses artifacts from all over Africa to tell the African story and Myths of Africa . We also try to hold seminars from time to time on campus.

Heritage Ensemble

The purpose of the Heritage Ensemble of Western Illinois University is to contribute to the educational, cultural, and social life of its members by giving the students fundamental vocal training, posture, diction, breathing, phrasing, and tone color in the various African, modern showtunes, spirituals, and gospel music genre. Talent Grants are available.

Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center Dance Troupe

The Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center Dance Troupe recognizes that traditional dance teaching methods in schools and universities have not truly represented the range, depth, and adaptation of the black experience. The impact is viewed from two perspectives: first, that of student as a performer who must thoroughly understand the meaning and implications of the interpretation of the materials to adequately portray it, and secondly, from the viewpoint of the observer who is able to see Black Culture manifest itself in the different mediums. Benefits provided are cultural, educational, and entertainment. Talent Grants are available.

Cultural Expressions

Cultural Expressions was established in October of 1997. The group works collaboratively with other campus organizations to promote unity while focusing on diversity and multiculturalism as it; relates to the collegiate experience. Cultural Expression organizes monthly cultural programs that allow participants to express themselves through mediums such as poetry, dramatic readings, rap, and dance.

Alliance of Empowerment (AOE)

The students of Western Illinois University have established this organization for the purpose of providing a diverse scholastic, cultural, political, and social life for all students of color at Western Illinois University.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People - College Chapter (NAACP)

The College Chapter shall subscribe to the general policies and programs of the Association. The purpose and aims of the college chapter shall be to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens; to achieve equality of rights and eliminate race prejudice among the citizens of the United States; to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes; to seek enactment and enforcement of federal, state and local laws securing civil rights; to inform the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and to seek its elimination; to educate persons as to their constitutional rights and to take all lawful action to secure the exercise thereof, and to take any other lawful action in furtherance of these objectives, consistent with the NAACP's Articles of Incorporation and Constitution. In addition, its objects shall be to inform youth of the problems affecting Africans in the diaspora and other people of color; to stimulate an appreciation of the African American contribution to US civilization; to develop an intelligent and militant youth leadership. These objectives shall be pursued in accordance with the policies of the Association within the framework of the University's regulations.