"CELEBRATING ONENESS THROUGH DIVERSITY"

Organizational Values

  • Inclusivity 
    SOCA is committed to creating an inclusive space for the black community and allies at SFU without the fear of condemnation on the basis of sex, gender, ethnicity, race, class or sexual orientation. ​
  • Community-Building
    SOCA is committed to creating a strong family community among members and allies, so that the Black Community support mechanism is strong on campus​, via events, workshops, discussions and a Black Community Services Centre.
  • Social Justice
    SOCA is committed to social justice and advocating for fairness in social and economic policy, so that inequities are reduced and fair policy decisions are made to redress issues facing the Black Community via distribution of wealth, opportunities and privileges within SFU and in British Columbia at large.
  • Representation
    Committed to advocating for better representation in faculty and academia, advocating for Black presence in University and also having for a strong presence in government policy.

From   the   beginNing

Where   we   are   now
SFU Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA) formerly known as African Caribbean Heritage Students Association (ACHSA) was started in 1994 to bring together students of Black, African, and African Descent to promote the acceptance of the varied African Diasporic and Afro-Canadian culture at SFU. 

SOCA is run by the Membership through General Meetings, and the Executive Team are the stewards in between those meetings and is bound by the SFU Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry. 

To become a member, folks can sign up to be a part of the membership mailing list and attend meetings. If there is any Black, African or Caribbean student group or community group at SFU, or externally, and want to partner with SOCA, an email can be sent to SOCA email at sfusoca@gmail.com or the SOCA Black Student Support Coordinator at bssc.coord@sfss.ca
We currently serve as a safe space for students on campus, especially Black students on campus who find it hard to be fully accepted in the fabric of the school community. We allow for a flourishing of self-identity and provide resources for students to learn about our experiences

SOCA was founded in 1994 and has had space on campus since 1997 to serve its constituents - Black African and Caribbean students on campus. SOCA has a unique responsibility to serve through its activities, services, programming and resources.

After years of advocacy, SOCA continues to have space on campus since 1994, and has moved to SUB RM1430 to continue to serve the community and allies. 
​
Constitution: PDF | SOCA Manual: PDF
SOCA x SFSS Letter of Agreement: PDF
SOCA BSSC Levy Fund Budget 2022/23: PDF

 past events and Experiences

Objectives

  • To initiate and maintain fellowship between students of African and Caribbean descent and students interested in the varied African and Caribbean cultures;
  • To promote and raise awareness of the relevant social and political issues significant to people of African and Caribbean Descent on campus and abroad;
  • To support and advocate primarily on behalf of members, providing services and promoting African and Caribbean intellectual and cultural experiences through open and interactive exchange of ideas among members of the university community;
  • To provide the SFU community with relevant academic and human resources on African and the Caribbean and other Afro-Descendant communities
  • To promote the relevance of the African-Caribbean community to other student associations, as well as national and international organizations.
  • To serve as an umbrella organization for nationality-based African and Caribbean clubs on campus, providing support and advocating for all diasporic communities and allies.

Newsletters

2009 Newsletter - PDF
2010 Newsletter - PDF
2011 Newsletter - PDF

Old peak articles

November 3, 1997 - SOCA Allocated space along with First Nations Students Association (FNSA), and Out on Campus (OOC)
Sep 20, 2004 - ACHSA organizers Rally for Darfur
Sep, 2004 - SFSS Donates $200 to ACHSA rally on Darfur
Feb 20, 2006 - Convo Mall Event
Feb 11, 2002 - Black History Month Fabled Myth Article by President
Feb 6, 1995 - Black History a Source of Pride
June 19999 - Creating a space for black children to see Black University Role Models in Science
Past execs over the years: pdf

Partner Organizations

​There are many organizations that we have worked with in the past and are instrumental in building the Black Community in Vancouver. Feel free to visit the pages and/or websites of these organizations.