The African Student Association (ASA) has been working to change negative perceptions of African history this week.

Every day this week, a different area of Africa has been highlighted. Today, members will be educating students on North African history and culture outside the HUB.

“I feel like the media is only promoting the negative aspect of African history so we’re trying to change that,” said Eden G-Sellassie, the president of ASA.

Dilom Fesaha, an officer for ASA, said the club had two main goals this week.

“One is to get the word out about the history of Africa and what’s currently happening there,” he said. “The second is to get more people involved with ASA.”

ASA has 50 members; UW enrollment statistics for winter quarter show that black students make up 3.1 percent of the total student population.

“In a school with a Caucasian majority, getting Africans connected on campus is important,” he said.

Throughout the event, students filtered around the booth, some asking questions about African customs and others buying buttons to support the club.

Junior Carla Galvez enjoyed the opportunity to learn about African culture.

“I’m from Mexico, and this is a great way to integrate different cultures into the community,” she said.

Luc Chen, a graduate student from Taiwan, stood and watched G-Sellassie brew traditional Ethiopian coffee on Wednesday. The smell of burning incense and the sound of drumbeats lured him into the booth, he said.

“I really know nothing about Africa,” he said, while waiting for coffee. By the time he left, Chen said, he had learned a few things.

Tonight, the ASA and the Muslim Students Association, in collaboration with the Black Student Commission and Black Student Union, will present former Seattle SuperSonics star and author Zaid Abdul-Aziz to talk about Islam in black history and his struggles as a black Muslim and athlete.

[Reach reporter Chantal Anderson at news@thedaily.washington.edu.]