When Suzy Adima landed the position of African Student Association (ASA) event coordinator, her goal was clear: to put the club on the map. Through events like Afro Beach and Spice Up Your Life, she has highlighted the cultural club as a hub for social gatherings and community bonding.
ASA’s inaugural event for this school year was Afro Beach, a collaboration with Johns Hopkins’ ASA for a night of beach volleyball, lawn games, and fellowship. Adima intended for Afro Beach to not only bring Loyola students together, but also to unite colleges in the Baltimore area.
“Afro Beach, I would say, was extremely successful. We had ASAs from other schools, like Notre Dame, actually come to our Afro Beach. So it was Johns Hopkins, Loyola, and Notre Dame all at this one event,” Adima said.
After receiving positive feedback about the bash from all of the schools in attendance, Adima hopes to make Afro Beach an annual tradition.
Adima believes that working with other cultural clubs on campus is just as important as collaborating with ASAs from other schools. Spice Up Your Life, a recent event where participants tested their tolerance for spicy food, was co-hosted by ASA, the Asian Cultural Alliance, and the Association of Latinx Students. There was a large turnout, and while Adima herself isn’t a friend of spicy food, she still had an enjoyable time.
“I can’t handle that. But it was very fun. I liked watching it. I liked cheering,” Adima said.
As an active member of ASA, Adima recognized that while the club had good foundations, it needed a revamp.
“ASA, it’s a very nice club, but I felt like I could add my own twist onto the events. So that’s why I ran for event coordinator. I think they’re doing a great job, but maybe it can be a little better,” Adima said.
ASA’s past gatherings were solely hosted in the Thrive Center for Student Success, a venue tucked away from foot traffic, hindering the club’s growth. Adima, though, envisioned ASA at the forefront of campus.
According to Adima, ASA has been her haven where she has formed lifelong friendships and created priceless memories.
“Oftentimes at a predominantly white institution, you don’t really see a lot of yourself in the institution,” Adima said.
ASA, though, provided her with a community where African and non-African students alike could come together to experience African culture through food, dance, and music.
Adima looks forward to what she has planned for the rest of the year. Approaching quickly is ASA’s Glow Out, a ’90s-themed glow party with prizes and games. Attendees will be encouraged to dress in the style of the era by wearing low-rise jeans, bucket hats, or oversized T-shirts.
“We love to have fun, we love to party, we love to dance, we love to make friends. You know, it’s always a good time,” Adima said.
The best way to stay up-to-date with ASA’s future events is to follow the club’s Instagram, @loyolaasa.
