The Importance of the Umoja Community

By Mylasia Brown, guest writer

“Umoja” is a Kiswahili word meaning unity.  It's a program dedicated to focusing on the culture and education experiences  of Black, African American and other students. For me personally Umoja has been a space where I genuinely feel supported and understood. They make you feel very warm and there's always someone to talk to due to the fact that having certain classes can be a lot stress, and Umoja is a space where you can reach out for help or even advice.

Being a part of this community has helped me both in school and in my personal growth. It also helped me connect with others and build amazing friendships that I probably wouldn't have come across if it was not for this community. Umoja is a very important program because it gives students a real sense of belonging , encouraging us to succeed academically, and also to remind us to be proud of who we are and where we come from.

One of the biggest things Umoja gives students is a sense of belonging. College can feel intimidating, especially when you don't always see people who share your background or experiences. Before I joined Umoja, I often felt like I was just going to class and leaving campus without really connecting to anyone. I really was not making an effort to actually meet people. It was mainly when someone spoke to me first that I would find my way interacting with them. Once I became part of Umoja, I started to feel like I had a family at school. Whether it's through group discussions, events, or just hanging out with other members, I feel included. Some of my Umoja peers and I would even go hangout outside of school. I created a great bond with some of the Umoja students. When students feel like they have people to lean on, they are more likely to stay motivated and confident in their journey. 

Umoja also helps students succeed academically. They even offer classes that students need for their major. Umoja has their own classes such as English, science and even history that's presented by the Umoja mentors. It's not just about tutoring or workshops; it's about the way the program encourages you to keep pushing yourself. For me, having a counselor and peers in Umoja who check in on me, and it makes a huge difference. It's easy to fall behind in college if no one notices, but in Umoja, people notice and they care.

Another powerful part of Umoja is how it celebrates culture and identity. Many school programs focus only on academics, but Umoja also makes space for cultural pride. Whether it's through events, discussions, or just the way we uplift each other, Umoja encourages us to be proud of our heritage. 

Umoja teaches us that culture is not only about remembering the past life, but it is about using our own knowledge and roots as strength to focus and think about our future because deep down inside that's what this is all about building an incredible future for ourselves. 

This overall history of Umoja goes beyond just a student organization; it is part of a larger movement to bring a lot of people together through culture, support and shared values. The Umoja community program was first established in California community colleges in 2006 as a way to address the equity gaps that African American students were facing in higher education. Many students of color often struggled with lower retention and also graduation rates, not because they lacked ability, but because they lacked access to culturally relevant support systems. Umoja was created to change that reality. Over time, the program expanded across the colleges in California and beyond, reaching thousands of students and providing consistent space for empowerment.