Photo courtesy: @famuncncw on Instagram
Typically, women rule the hill; female students make up 64% of the student body compared to males at 36%. So, what is available for the majority of students at Florida A&M University? There are clubs, organizations and sports available for both men and women, but specifically, the National Council of Negro Women caters to Black women on campus.
The NCNW is referred to as the “organization of organizations” with the goal of empowering women of African heritage, their families and communities. This program, which Mary McLeod Bethune started on Dec. 5, 1935, presently has 330 university and community-based sections and 33 national women’s organizations that educate, motivate and unite more than two million women and men.
Tanaè Price, a 20-year-old, third-year professional MBA candidate from Miami Gardens, is a member of the FAMU chapter of NCNW, and her role is the Artist-in-Residence. Having been an active member of this organization since the 2022 spring semester, Price looked forward to showing the FAMU student body what NCNW stands for and what they can expect from it.
“NCNW social media page was a collaborative idea for the ‘Goddess Girls’ theme,” Price said. “It showed our versatility and creativity through our work, and we definitely executed the vision.”
The organization’s media presence on its Instagram page, @famuncnw, has grown over the past few weeks with the release of its executive board and giving the public teasers of what to look forward to in the coming weeks. Events such as tutu making and a breast cancer walk are happening at 2 p.m. Oct. 15 at Cascades Park.
With this impressive social media rollout, it was released that Sumayyah Muhammad is president of the chapter this academic year. Muhammad, a senior studying communication and design, emphasizes what she wants the public and those interested in joining to know.
“That NCNW is a business for women that want to work and impact the communities they come from,” Muhammad said.
To those interested, this year’s treasurer, Anikah George, a 19-year-old nursing student from Fort Pierce, encourages students to join. They understand students have hectic schedules and juggle a lot, but merely coming to two events and contributing what you can is enough. Active representation of this organization is essential, and whatever you can bring to the chapter is appreciated.
“I want to carry the history our section has on FAMU’s campus and make our presence purposeful,” George said. “NCNW Inc. was founded on the principles of leading, advocating and empowering women of African descent … as a collegiate section, we strive to do that throughout any event we do and instill that into our members as well.”
This organization is about sisterhood, uplifting others and coming together to represent the change Black women can make. The FAMU chapter has implemented these objectives since it was chartered on July 21, 1998.
“I believe it is imperative to know that NCNW is an organization that’s all about creating fun-filled events while also taking care of business because that is our No. 1 priority and ensuring the goddesses have emotional support,” Price said.