DMU’s African & Caribbean Society offers a serious message as well as its social activities

By Beni Azakaye

One of the most established societies at De Montfort University in Leicester is aiming to show it has serious aims this year as well as being a hub of social activities.

With the first semester coming to an end, the DMU African and Caribbean Society, known as ACS, has quickly got activities up and running, as has its similar branches across all universities in the UK.

The society represents students from African and Caribbean background at DMU, bringing them together whilst also welcoming people from other races and cultures to educate and involve themselves during their time at the institution.

Malachi Robinson, president of the DMU branch, said: “Our aim for the year aim is to have serious talks about mental health in the black community, its effects and how it is being handled.

“We aim to show freshers that it is not all about the social event but also more educative events with unis like BCU, NTU and others reaching out to do the same.”

He advised any student struggling with clothing or food to get in contact with the De Montfort Students’ Union (DSU).

Malachi has been a student of DMU since October 2021 and got voted in as president of the society in June this year, alongside other committee members.

The DMU ACS was recently nominated for the prestigious award, ‘Most Improved ACS of the Year’ at the national ACS Awards, and has a dedicated committee which includes roles like President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, African and Caribbean consultant, health and welfare officer.

The society tries to make students feel welcome in Leicester as most arrive from other cities. For the rest of the year, the society aims to achieve this by hosting more debates, networking campaigns, social outings and invite speakers.

The ACS mission “is to ensure our members enjoy their experience to the fullest, an everyone receives an equally beneficial experience outside of the academic classroom and basks in the enjoyable familial atmosphere.”

Maslachi added: “As a society, we want DMU to look appealing to students wanting to reply.”