Cultural potluck brings Troy students together

Members of Omega Psi Phi grill at 4DaCulture's cultural potluck. Quang Le photo

A new student organization is working to bridge what many on campus see as an invisible gap: the space between walking past the same people every day and actually knowing them. 4DaCulture aims to create a platform where students from different backgrounds can share their experiences and learn from one another on Troy's international campus.

Lewis Bell, a senior criminal justice major from Dothan, Alabama, and one of the organization's founders, explained the core motivation behind starting the group.

"We walk past each other every day and don't know a single thing about each other," Bell said. "The point of it is for everybody to be able to come together, share their experiences, share their culture, where they're from and just be one big body.”

Ashirya Timmons, a senior exercise physiology major from Pine Hill, Alabama, joined 4DaCulture to help showcase the diversity that already exists at Troy.

"I feel like people should join the club just to get an understanding and knowledge of the other cultures around them, especially on this campus," Timmons said. "It's a great way to show love to not just one culture, but every culture.”

The organization is already holding events to bring students together. They had a Dukes and Boots event that celebrated Southern heritage. It featured elements like trail rides, ATV riding and cowboy culture.

Bell emphasized the importance of getting involved early in the semester.

"This is only the second week of school,” Bell said. “Take every opportunity you can to come meet new friends, upperclassmen. You never know where it might land you.”

Timmons added that these gatherings create space for genuine connection.

"I really expect a good little turnout just for people to come around and get some food and stuff, connecting with other people, networking," Timmons said.

Looking ahead, 4DaCulture is planning a Black History program for February as part of its ongoing mission to celebrate campus diversity.

Timmons described 4DaCulture as huge, brilliant and multicultural organization.

Bell said if students are looking for a place where they can be heard and seen, 4DaCulture is the perfect place for them.

For students interested in joining the club, 4DaCulture is active on Instagram at @4daculture.troy. The organization is also working on launching a TikTok page.