SQUAD: Students' Quest for Unity in the African Diaspora
SQUAD (Students' Quest for Unity in the African Diaspora) is a student-led program focused on fostering and celebrating relationships within the African Diaspora.
About
Learn about the distinct history and community of Black students at Tufts and become familiar with the Tufts' Africana Center and the resources it offers.
Our mission is to create a safe and welcoming environment of unity, collaboration, learning and socializing as students navigate African-diaspora specific challenges on the campus and in their lives. Additionally, participants will explore African-diasporic history, culture, and community in Boston.
You will participate in a multitude of community bonding and service activities and take advantage of opportunities to participate in community service and engagement by:
- Acknowledging and exploring the intersections of ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality and experience within the African-diaspora through personal narratives and historically written Black perspectives/insights.
- Introduction to resources on campus and support systems for the nurturing of inter-community and individual care.
- Fostering connections with non-collegiate organizations in the Medford, Somerville, and greater Boston areas.
- Consciousness building through discussions that encourage curiosity and the examination of society and self.
- Exploration of Boston and establishment of bonds within the community.
Typical Day
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8 - 9 a.m. | Breakfast - Chicken and Waffles |
| 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Off-Campus Experience- previous trips have included Escape the Room, or a visit to the African American Museum |
| 12 - 1 p.m. | Lunch on Tufts Campus with peer leaders |
| 1 - 5 p.m. | Workshop on Tufts Campus- Past topics: Consent, “Blaq Folx is the Future” |
| 5 - 6 p.m. | Dinner in the dining hall with peer leaders |
| 7 - 9 p.m. | Evening activity such as Trivia or Scavenger Hunt |
| 9 - 10:30 p.m. | Reflection and discussion |
Student Coordinators
Ibrahima Diop
Ibrahima '28 (he/him) is a rising sophomore from NYC majoring in Economics with a minor in Finance. Ibrahima is one a Treasurer for the Black Students Union and is also involved with the Tufts Investment Banking Club.
Jesse Kitumba
Jesse '28 (he/him) is a rising Sophomore from Kampala, Uganda, pursuing a double major in International Relations and Economics. Passionate about fostering community and creating meaningful connections, Jesse is actively involved in campus life through the TCU Senate and African Students Organization. You can find Jesse outside of academics in Tufts Mock Trial and Tufts Debate Society. He is thrilled to welcome the Class of 2029 to Tufts and looks forward to building lasting memories together.
Staff
Katrina Moore
Africana Center Director
As director of the Africana Center, Katrina serves as a campus resource and educates the community on emerging issues regarding students of African descent. She is responsible for establishing the Center's vision and advocates on behalf of students in cases of intolerance and/or discrimination. She works closely with students and student organizations to develop effective programs and initiatives to enhance the co-curricular experience of students and build leadership skills. A sought-after campus leader, Katrina participates in committee assignments, both within the division and the broader Tufts community.
Kella Narki Merlain-Moffatt
Africana Center Associate Director
Kella will be responsible for the development and implementation of community engagement programs that uplift students of African descent and their many intersecting identities. Kella will develop goals, strategies, and infrastructure to support and advance programs that promote scholarship and leadership within an affirming campus climate including the SQUAD Pre-Orientation and Peer Leader Programs, First Year Orientation Retreat and Open House events, Black Legacy Month programming, and Black Graduation. She will also work closely with student-facing resources and departments including other identity-based resources, Residential Life and Learning, Student Affairs Office, Counseling and Mental Health Services, Career Center, Global Education, Financial Aid, Tufts University faculty, the CARE office, and other departments within and beyond the DSDI Division.
SQUAD
squad@tufts.edu | 617-627-3372
I participated in SQUAD and it made me fall in love with the black community here. It made me feel like I had a community that not only had my back, but would uplift and support me. It allowed me to acclimate so quickly onto campus and calmed many of my anxieties about coming to Tufts. It also made me aware of all the resources that were available to me, once again showing that I was not alone in my college struggles.
Daria Black-Hackett, Class of 2025
My favorite thing about SQUAD is its ability to build a central community grounded in love, support, and excitement for Black Jumbos. There's no other space that compares to how unapologetically Black and happy we are able to be as we foster growth and community through SQUAD. In addition, so many students have built their leadership skills and network through the SQUAD program, which is truly inspiring to see.
Aviance Haymon, Class of 2025
SQUAD was really helpful in acclimating me to the Africana Community at Tufts, while also familiarizing me with many resources that Tufts has to offer.
Trey Lawrence, Class of 2026
What I loved about SQUAD was how connected I felt to Tufts and the Africana community after such a short period of time. My favorite part was the final ceremony where we had a party on a boat with a few other pre-orientation groups. The program overall really helped create a good first impression of the Tufts community and it allowed me to get better acclimated to my new environment before school began. By doing SQUAD, I quickly acclimated to the Africana community which allowed me to easily join the broader Tufts community. Others should participate in Pre-O because it is an opportunity to meet new people, gain a better understanding of the Tufts community, and get acclimated before the big rush of new undergrads.