The Black Graduate Student Association, in collaboration with the Black Student Awareness Committee presents the traditional African American celebration, Umoja, to welcome new students, faculty and staff to UAB. Umoja aims to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

This annual event’s program featured numerous prominent speakers from UAB and the surrounding Birmingham community including: UAB President, Carol Garrison, Vice President of Equity and Diversity, Louis Dale and Jefferson County Commissioner President, Larry Langford.

This event is a perfect opportunity for former and new students to interact with the BGSA executive officers, advisors, and other students from different programs throughout the graduates schools of UAB. This event has traditionally provided networking mechanisms for attendees. The invitation list includes former and prospective members, any other interested graduate students, and the Black faculty of the UAB campus. This event provides a unique opportunity for students, especially those new to UAB, to establish campus-wide connections and colleagues and thus become more acclimated to life at UAB.