Timeline

• In Spring 1994, The first publicized meeting of the Black Students Association (BSA), shortly after being renamed to Association for Students of African Descent (ASAD). 
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• ASAD organized Black Jeopardy, Black History Month events, Lecture Series and had regular meetings in different locations, and published articles in the Peak about being black at SFU.
  
  
• In 1995, ASAD, in conjunction with SFPIRG, has set up information booths to help bring attention to the impending execution Mamia Abu Jamal(prominent journalist and black activist put on death row) to highlight the justice systems unequal treatment of crime and the media portrayal of black men. 
  
  

• In 1997, we fought for SFU to hire and amplify Black professors and in 1998, at that time only two professors were at SFU, one of which was Dr June Francis, and Professor James Busumtwi-Sam was later then then hired to SFU.

• In 1997, SOCA was allocated permanent space in the Rotunda Community alongside First Nations Students Association and Out on Campus joining groups such as SFPIRG, CJSF, and Women Center
  
  

• In 1998, we brought Molefi Kete Asante, renowned Professor of African American Studies 

• In 2001, we raised funds for Mozambique Floods that claimed the lives of 700 people.

• In Fall 2003, we changed our name to African Caribbean Heritage Students Association (ACHSA).
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• In 2006, we held a rally and raised money for the Canadian Students for Darfur to the Crisis in the Darfur Region in Sudan

• In 2008, we alongside the SFU Museum of Archeology and Ethnology partnered for a large display for Black History Month for the launch of the Museum's African Section

• In 2010, We raised money that went to Doctors without Borders towards the Recovery from the Earthquake in Haiti.
  
  
• In 2013, We organized a large symposium on racism, discrimination and social equity with speakers such as Nadine Chambers, Dr. Andy Mtambo, Mr. Hanore Gdedze, Mr. Jerry Gbardy, Ms. Danice Denomme and Jeanne Nzeiemana.

• In 2013, We instituted a semesterly scholarship for the Black Community at SFU.

 

• In 2015, We changed our name to SFU Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA)
  
  
• In 2016, we organized a Black History Month Open Session with the BCGEU, themed #SpeakUp2017 where we tasked attendees to talk up against oppression in the workplace and academia via a movie showing, poetry pieces and art exhibition.

 

• In 2018, We brought a myriad of speakers such as Stephanie Allen, Joy Walcott-Francis and Dr. June Francis from the Vancouver Black community and played a vital role in revitalizing discussions around a black community space in Vancouver known as Hogan’s Alley.

 

• In 2018, We raised money for the Congo Crisis in association with the African Students Association where the Voice of Ituri, local based Congolese Journalism community to fight against the attack on the freedom of speech in Congo via a panel discussion on the Crisis in Congo led by Luc Malembe.

 

• In collaboration with the African Descent Society and the African Students Association, we organized a large Forum on the UN Decade for people of African Descent with Speakers such as Julialynne Walker, High Court Justice Donald Mcleod, Eddy Kenzo, Duhabo Muhammed and our very own Dr. June Francis.
  
  
• In 2018, started a campaign #BlackSpacesMatter fighting against institutional racism and pushing against the SFSS decision to evict SOCA from our space on campus and not allocating space in the student-funded Student Union Building on campus alongside the Rotunda Community 
  
  
• In November 2018, we showcased some of the biggest Black Artists and Performers at our Africa and The Diaspora Cultural Night as well as hosted multiple themed parties
  
  
• In Black History Month 2019, we host Discussion Wednesdays, Black Girl Magic Workshops, Black History Month Kickoff showcasing Black Performers and Black Busineses, Black Film Festival and Afrofest in alliance with all the other Black Organizations in SFU and UBC.
  
  
• In November 2019, 25th Year Anniversary dinner showcasing all the years of Black excellence on campus and bringing together many different artists of all stripes
  
  
• In February 2020, SOCA is allocated space in the New Student Union Building ending the 2 year battle for space on campus! All the support from various people helped SOCA and the Rotunda Community secure space for equity-seeking groups on campus who were at risk of displacement. Shoutout to the Rotunda Community and the Independent Student Societies on campus: SFPIRG, CJSF, FNSA, Embark, Women Center Collective, Out on Campus Collective, and the Peak!
  
  
• In response to continued brutality of Black folks in 2020, SOCA released statements highlighting the continuous labour Black folks have been doing and continue to do including in response to the police murder of George Floyd, and the violent arrest of the Black community member on campus. 2020 was a tough year for the Black community on campus but we had not lost hope and continued to fight and still hosted Mental Health workshops, Black Hair in Focus: History and Politics of Black Hair events, and a myriad of community building events for the Black community.
  
  
• SOCA hosted a myriad of events for 2021 Black History month, using a theme of Black Celebration Month to highlight Black excellence on campus and beyond ranging from events such as Black Trivia, Black Art Afro Dance Workshops, Movie Nights and Black Minds Matter Panel Discussion. 
  
  
• In Summer and Fall of 2021, the SUB Room was used to host a large number of events and activities. From Black Sip N Paint Nights, to large Hybrid General Meetings, to Campus Collaboration with FNSA at the PNE, and a Panel Discussion on the Critical Intersections of Blackness and Global Solidarity, among many other events on Zoom for community building, community has been strong and growing. 
  
  
• Alongside many campus partners and students in 2021 (following up from the advocacy in 2020 and prior), SOCA helped advocate for the Black Faculty Cluster Hiring of at least 15 Black Faculty, the first institutional SFU- Black Student Center, more Black Mental Health Resources on campus and also the Signing of the National Charter Anti-Black Racism that commits to a lot of Black student supports and resources for Black faculty, students - all of which were committed to by SFU. This was followed by more resources through support of students in Spring 2022 for a Black student levy, myriad of Black history month activities and events, and hiring of SOCA Support Staff through the SOCA BSSC Coordinator and Assistant.