SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- Augustana University in Sioux Falls is honoring a group from the past who advocated for more representation of African American and Indigenous cultures on campus. In October 2024 a room in Solberg Hall at Augustana University officially became the United Soul Affinity Space after a year in the works. "We wanted a dedicated space for our students and affinity groups to kind of have somewhere where they can come and hang out and just be," assistant director of diversity equity and inclusion at Augustana University Tyra Hawkins, said. The name of the space is in honor of a group from the 1960s called United Soul. Members were advocates for equality on campus. "Was comprised of black and Indigenous students who were fighting for equal representation across campus, more representation in the curriculum," Hawkins said. "We decided it would be a really great opportunity to give this space even more meaning by incorporating them into it as well." Jenna Hageman, who is the vice president of the Black Student Union and in the Journey Scholars Program at Augie says it was important for her to be represented on campus after transferring to Augie from Howard University. Grant County fire leads to death of child "I feel like a lot of people do not recognize the huge black population in Sioux Falls. We have a really deep history and it's good to carry that on," Hageman said. Already the space has been used for game nights and dance parties and continues to be a place for students to connect. "Especially by giving us this space so we can just be and not have to like code switch or act a certain way. It just gives us a safe space to be and it's showing us that we can just continue to be ourselves and we do not have to put on a different face," Hageman said. "We really do care about our students and we do a lot to make sure that students feel not only welcomed, but accepted and like they belong here. This kind of is a physical representation of that," Hawkins said. The group plans to add more decorations to the room and hopes to one day have a larger gathering area. To read more about the history of United Soul in Sioux Falls click here.