The African Diaspora Initiative (ADI) was founded in 2020 following the efforts of UVU’s Black Student Union, partnered with UVU faculty, staff, and administration. We strive to embody UVU’s core value of exceptional care through culturally responsive, holistic student development and well-being approaches in order to achieve exceptional results. We recognize our historical and social collaborations with other BIPOC communities and view cultural representation as an essential aspect of all areas of wellness.

Our work is rooted in African principles and philosophies. Ubuntu is a Nguni Bantu (South African) term for interdependence and recognition of humanity, which we strive for as we celebrate African and Black identities and encourage networking and community among our Black students. We seek to include the nguzo saba, or the seven principles of Kwanzaa, in all of our programming.