Umoja Queens group strives for unity and community

COURTESY // involve.sonoma.edu

Umoja is a principle of Kwanzaa that represents unity and community.

Sonoma State University offers a variety of clubs and organizations to be a part of on campus and this week an inclusive club on campus had their first meeting of the fall semester. Seawolves were encouraged to visit the Hub on Sept. 20 to take part in the gathering of the Umoja Queens. 

The Umoja Queens group promotes themselves as a safe space for Black identified womxn to be comfortable and express themselves. The origin of the group comes from the club's creator Cookie Garrett who started the group in 2018. Umoja happens to be one of the principles of Kwanzaa that represents unity. The Umoja Queens have cultivated an environment to reflect this "unity" by promoting strong relationships between all standing members of the group.

The Umoja Queen members who have been a part of the groups the longest, began with brief self introductions.  New members/guests went around the room introducing themselves and telling everyone a bit about who they are and what they studied. Once introductions were done everyone transitioned into a typical friendly exchange. 

Students and faculty members alike talked about their favorite Netflix shows, what they had done for the week and what upcoming, school organized events they planned to attend. The gathering of the Umoja Queens ended with a discussion about time management and great resources on campus that will set students up for success with their studies throughout the year. 

The Umoja Queens created a community where students can feel relaxed and have fun but can also discuss serious topics from the perspective of Black women in Sonoma County. According to the United States Census Bureau the Sonoma County African American population is around 2% of the total population, being one of the less diverse populated counties in California. 

Jennifer Eden, one of the leading members of Umoja Queens said “As a black person at Sonoma State whether you’re a student, faculty member, or a staff member like myself, we’re a tiny community.” Eden then said that being a black woman can be isolating in a community where black people only make up a small percentage of the population, so she wants to spread the word of a place where people of the same racial background can come together and not feel so alone. 

Eden also addressed that some people in Sonoma County don't understand the perspective of what it's like to be from a minority group, she ended her informative exchange by saying “It’s nice to see people like us.” 

The Umoja Queens want to create a sanctuary for not only Sonoma State Students but also for all Black women in Sonoma County. They hope to continually increase the number of members in their organization. Even though their club states they’re a group for Black women, weekly meetings are open to all seawolves on campus. Umoja Queens meet every Tuesday in the Hub on the SSU campus from 12 to 1 p.m. and for those who are not available to make physical appearances, participants are always welcomed to join via zoom.