Solomon Northup (1808–c. 1863)

American abolitionist and the primary author of the memoir, Twelve Years a Slave.

Ella Baker (1903–86)

African-American civil rights and human rights activist. She was a largely behind-the-scenes organizer whose career spanned over five decades.

W.E.B. Du Bois (1868–1963)

American sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist, author and editor.

Josephine Baker (1906–75)

First African-American woman to star in a major motion picture, Zouzou (1934) and to become a world-famous entertainer. Baker, who refused to perform for segregated audiences in America, is also noted for her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.

Claudette Colvin (1939–)

Early key figure of the African-American civil rights movement. On March 2, 1955, she was the first person arrested for resisting bus segregation in Montgomery, Alabama, preceding the more publicized Rosa Parks incident by nine months.

Nathan East, ‘78 (1955–)

Jazz, R&B and rock bass player and vocalist. UC San Diego alum. East has recorded more than 2,000 works and is considered one of the most recorded bass players in the history of music.

Kenneth Chenault (1951–)

American business executive. He has been the CEO and chairman of American Express since 2001, and is the third African-American CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

UC San Diego qBio Summer Bootcamp 2014 participant

Diverse students from throughout San Diego took part in a hands-on Summer Bootcamp at UC San Diego to introduce students to the leading-edge field of quantitative biology.

Box Office

Schedule of Events

FEB
Everyday


#blacklivesmatter: A Century of Resistance to State-Sanctioned Violence

February / UC San Diego Library / UC San Diego Geisel Library • FREE

This exhibit raises questions, examines the roots of injustice, and offer avenues of exploration and information that might help to galvanize the outrage of recent protests into a sustained movement. Click here for more info.

FEB
Everyday


A Century of Black Life, History and Culture: UC San Diego Library Exhibit

February / AAASRC / Geisel Library • FREE

This month long exhibit will showcase 100 years of Black culture covering an eclectic mixture of art, artifacts, and photographs from private and public collections.

FEB
4-7


“VENUS” by Suzan-Lori Parks

7:30pm / UCSD Department of Theatre and Dance / Theodore and Adele Shank Theatre
$10 (students) / $15 (faculty) / $20 (general admission)
Additional Dates: Saturday, Jan 31- 2pm and 7:30pm / Wednesday, Feb 4 through Saturday, Feb 7 – 7:30pm

Venus is a epic play inspired by the true story of Saarje Baartman, a South African girl bought, sold and displayed as a sideshow oddity for her uniquely large posterior. The production explores Venus’s rise and fall from the spotlight, the dealers involved, and the ways she became an object of the world’s desire. Click here for more info.

Fri
Jan 30

Trajectories in Black Studies: Interdisciplinary Foundations & New Formations

10am / Black Studies Project / Price Center East Ballroom

Two-day UC-Wide symposium & public gathering - Jan. 30 & 31st.
Click here for more info.

Mon
Feb 2

Black History Month Opener

12pm - 2:30pm / Black Student Union / Price Center Plaza • FREE

Black Student Union will be hosting the annual Black History Month Opener; welcoming UC students, faculty, staff and members of the community to gather together in celebrating the achievements, struggles and persistence of people of African descent through spoken-word poetry and musical performances.

Wed
Feb 4


“Jazz in Paris” Global Seminar Information Session

5-6pm / UC San Diego Programs Abroad Office / International Center Oceanids Pavilion • FREE

Emeritus Professor of Music, Cecil Lytle, will introduce the program that he will be teaching in France this summer on the history of African American jazz musicians in Paris. Click here for more info.

Wed
Feb 4

Afro Theatre: “The Black Power Mixtape”

6-8pm / Black Student Union / Black Resource Center • FREE

Movie night with BSU The Black Power Mixtape gives further insight into the black power movement of the 60s and 70s and what made it revolutionary. Followed by a post discussion, this is a chance for you to come out and be a part of a healthy dialogue with BSU. Email for info: ucsdbsuretention@gmail.com

Wed
Feb 4-7


“VENUS” by Suzan-Lori Parks

7:30pm / UCSD Department of Theatre and Dance / Theodore and Adele Shank Theatre
$10 (students) / $15 (faculty) / $20 (general admission)
Additional Dates: Saturday, Jan 31- 2pm and 7:30pm / Wednesday, Feb 4 through Saturday, Feb 7 – 7:30pm

Venus is a epic play inspired by the true story of Saarje Baartman, a South African girl bought, sold and displayed as a sideshow oddity for her uniquely large posterior. The production explores Venus’s rise and fall from the spotlight, the dealers involved, and the ways she became an object of the world’s desire. Click here for more info.

Thu
Feb 5

The Predicament of Blackness

3:30pm / AAASRC / SSB #101 • FREE

Lecture by Associate Professor Jemima Pierre, UC Los Angeles, addressing the racialization of culture in postcolonial Ghana along with theories of blackness and Pan-Africanism. Click here for more info.

Thu
Feb 5

"Aspire to Inspire"

7 – 8:30pm / African Students Association / Cross-Cultural Center, Comunidad Room • FREE

A panel of African professionals on campus and within the San Diego area will discuss their journeys to their own career paths and motivate current UCSD students.
Contact Ijeoma Kalu for more info.

Sat
Feb 7


The Nile Project

8pm / ArtPower! And AAASRC / Price Center Ballroom East
UCSD Student $12 / Subscribers $26 / General $30

Bringing together musicians from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, The Nile Project intertwines the rich traditions of the Nile region in a unified sound.
Buy tickets at the UCSD Box Office / Art Power!

Tues
Feb 10


Dive into Complexion – Screening of Dark Girls

5-7pm / School of Medicine’s Student Medical National Association (SMNA) / Medical Education & Telemedicine Building (MET) Room 141

From the official movie site: “Dark Girls is a fascinating and controversial documentary film that goes underneath the surface to explore the prejudices that dark-skinned women face throughout the world. It explores the roots of classism, racism and the lack of self-esteem within a segment of cultures that span from America to the most remote corners of the globe. Women share their personal stories, touching on deeply ingrained beliefs and attitudes of society, while allowing generations to heal as they learn to love themselves for who they are.”
Dinner will be provided to the first 30 individuals. RSVP here.

Wed
Feb 11


Generations of Possibilities, Looking Back & Moving Forward

12-1:30pm/ Housing –Dining-Hospitality (HDH) / Warren College, Canyon Vista

Canyon Vista Restaurant hosts the 18th Annual HDH Black History Luncheon. Come and experience the celebration!
Lunch available for purchase: 11am - 2pm. Program time: 12noon – 1:30pm.
Click here for more info.

Wed
Feb 11


Black Legacy Mural Dedication

5-7pm / VC EDI, Student Affairs, Black Student Union & Black Resource Center / Price Center East • FREE

Dedication of the Black Legacy Mural located on the first floor of the UCSD Price Center; UC San Diego and the campus community welcomes everyone to join this special event.
Click here for more info.

Thu
Feb 12

Ice Cream Social

5-6pm / Black Student Union / Black Resource Center • FREE

Casual social for students - for you to free your minds from the rigors of classes at the midway point in the quarter.
Email ucsdbsuretention@gmail.com for more info.

Thu
Feb 12

The Kansas City Style: A Marriage of Jazz & Blues

3:30pm / UC San Diego Library and AAASRC / UCSD Library, Seuss Room • FREE

Jazz legend Jeannie Cheatham lectures on the topic of Kansas City Blues and gives a musical performance with special colleagues. In addition, a month-long exhibit with this same title will be on display at the UCSD Library during Black History Month.
Click here for more info.

Fri
Feb 13


Joshua White + Polyphase with Rebecca Jade

8pm / The Loft
UCSD Students with ID Free / General Admission $10

Acclaimed pianist, Joshua White, performs an electric set of music featuring Rebecca Jade, Curtis Taylor, Stephen McKinney and Greg McKinney.
Buy tickets at the Box Office or at the Loft

Tues
Feb 17


8th Annual President’s Day Forum: “Past is Prologue – What’s Next”

11:30am – 1pm / Black Staff Association / Cross-Cultural Center, Comunidad Room • FREE

An interactive forum in which we reflect upon presidents past and consider the potential impact of presidents in the future. We will also discuss potentially developing agenda items for consideration of future candidates in the coming local, regional, and national elections. Light refreshments will be provided.
Click here for more info.

Wed
Feb 18

Haiti and the Earthquake of 2010

12-5pm / Warren College and AAASRC / Cross-Cultural Center • FREE

This workshop will center on the structural reconstruction programs in the wake of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, as well as the cultural and artistic reflections of the tragedy. Mary Comerio from UC Berkeley will speak on the engineering efforts (Reconstructing Risk: Haiti’s Uneven Recovery) and Jerry Philogene from Dickinson College will be discussing the cultural impact of the earthquake (Haiti: Aesthetic Myths and Creative Realties). A brief reception will follow.
Click here for more info.

Thu
Feb 19


Afro-Caribbean Dance and Drumming Workshop with Gene Perry

3:30pm / AAASRC / Soc. Sci. Bldg. #101

Cha Cha Cha with a Backbeat, Latin Boogaloo, and African Rhythms presented by percussionist extraordinaire Gene Perry, including a dance and drumming practicum with audience participation.
Email sreynder@ucsd.edu for more info. / 858-822-0265

Thu
Feb 19


Elevated: Spoken Word

8pm / Queen Bee’s Art and Culture Center – 3925 Ohio Street, San Diego 92104
Admission $5

Join BSU this month, whether you are a seasoned poet, first time sharing your poem or simply a fan of the art, you will leave Elevated inspired. Collective Purpose is designed to present our audience with an exceptional event that will serve as an outlet for creative expression. The Elevated movement will challenge artists and change our community.
Click here for more info.

Fri
Feb 20


“Play It Forward” book launch & reading with Frederick Smith

12pm / Cross Cultural Center / Cross-Cultural Center, Library • FREE

Join us in our Faculty & Author in Residence Program where we bring in author Frederick Smith. Light refreshments provided.
Click here for more info.

Fri
Feb 20

Queer Black Social with Frederick Smith

2pm / LGBT Resource Center / LGBT Resource Center • FREE

Queer Black Socials are closed spaces for Black identified students, staff, faculty and community members to talk about queer issues. Frederick Smith will join after his book launch and reading at the Cross-Cultural Center.
Click here for more info.

Fri
Feb 20


Black History Month’s Night with Athletics

5-7pm / Black Resource Center, Athletics and UJIMA / RIMAC Arena, Green Room
Students (ID required)

You and your family are welcome to join the 2nd Annual Black History Month’s Night with Athletics. This is a family friendly event. Come enjoy complimentary food, beverages, and basketball! This is a great opportunity to highlight the Black student athletes and the Athletics staff. Admission includes reception and game.
Faculty / Staff must RSVP with brc@ucsd.edu for free admission.

Tue
Feb 24


20th Annual Diversity Awards

1:30 – 3:30pm / Equal Opportunity/Staff Affirmation Acton / Price Center Ballroom West

The recognition program is designed to recognize employees, students, faculty, staff, organizational units, departments, and other members of the UCSD community who have made an outstanding contribution in the areas of equal opportunity, affirmative action and diversity at UCSD during the past year.
The event will follow with a reception.
Click here for more info.

Tue
Feb 24

The U.S. Civil Rights Movement in Music, Film, Literature, and in the Streets

5:45pm / National University / National University, Spectrum Campus, 9388 Lightwave Ave, SD 92123 • FREE

Musical performances, videos, and lectures recapitulating the history of the 1950s and 1960s Civil Rights era linking this past to current national and international struggles.
http://lornazukas.wordpress.com/
Email for info: scalix@ucsd.edu

Tue
Feb 24

"Selma" (the movie)

6:30 doors open – 7pm movie / Film Studies Minor, African American Studies Minor, University Centers and Thurgood Marshall College / Price Center Theater • FREE

Showing “Selma”, recently released movie based on the 1965 voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery led by J. Bevel, H. Williams, J. Lewis and M.L. King.
There will be a special Panel, Q & A and Snacks for this showing only.
Sign-up at EVENT BRIGHT.

Wed
Feb 25


Faculty Panel: Activism, Policing, and Black Lives Matter

12pm / The UC San Diego Library / Geisel Library, Seuss Room • Free

Join us for a conversation with four faculty: Zeinabu Davis (UCSD Communication), Dayo Gore (UCSD Ethnic Studies), Cesar Rodriguez (CSUSM Sociology) and Daniel Widener (UCSD History). This panel discussion raises questions, examines the roots of injustice, and offers avenues of exploration and information that might help to galvanize the outrage of recent protests into a sustained movement. Refreshments provided.

Wed
Feb 25

BSA Black History Month Luncheon & Program

12 – 1pm / Black Staff Association / Student Services Center, Multi-Purpose Room • Program Free / Lunch $10.

Please join the Black Staff Association as we celebrate our rich heritage, The Civil Rights Movement: From Past to Present with a special soul food luncheon featuring local West African dancing, drumming and storytelling at the Multi-Purpose Room.
Program free. Lunch ticket can be purchased in advance for $10 per person.
Click here for more info.

Thu
Feb 26


#BlackLivesMatter: Conversations with Alicia Garza, ’02

2-3:30pm / Cross-Cultural Center – Comunidad Room • FREE

Alicia Garza, ‘02 is the special projects director for the National Domestic Workers Alliance and co-founder of #BlackLivesMatter. Please come and join the discussion.
Click here for more info.

Thu
Feb 26

"Selma" (the movie)

6:30 doors open – 7pm movie / Film Studies Minor, African American Studies Minor, University Centers and Thurgood Marshall College / Price Center Theater • FREE

Showing “Selma”, recently released movie based on the 1965 voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery led by J. Bevel, H. Williams, J. Lewis and M.L. King.
There will be a special Panel, Q & A and Snacks for this showing only.
Sign-up at EVENT BRIGHT.

Thu
Feb 26

Kuumba Fest

7 – 9pm / Black Student Union / Student Services Center, Multipurpose Room • FREE

Kuumba Fest is an Afrikan dance performance put on by a San Diego based group. Afrikan drums and rhythms will be felt from your feet all the way up to your mind!
Email for info: ucsdbsuretention@gmail.com

Thu
Feb 26


The Music of Eric Dolphy with Amadou Fall

8pm / The Loft / The Loft at UCSD • FREE

Features UCSD Professor Kamau Kenyatta, Antar Martin, Jesse Audelo, Derek Cannon, Ian Harland, and Matthew Smith. African Kora Virtuoso, Amadou Falls, opens.
Click here for more info.

Sat
Feb 28


13th Annual Black History Month Scholarship Brunch and Silent Auction

10:30am / Price Center West Ballroom
UCSD Students (Student ID Required) $5 / Non-UCSD Students $50,
UCSD Faculty/Staff/Alumni $65 / General Admission $70 / Day of $75

Join us at our 13th annual brunch to recognize our student scholars. The brunch includes soul food, jazz and chances to win in the silent auction! Our keynote speaker this year is actor, director and producer, Giancarlo Esposito. Proceeds from the brunch and silent auction will go directly to the Ujima Network Black History Month Scholarship, awarded to two students every year.
Buy tickets here.

Tues
Mar 3

CROSSING LINES: Hip-Hop, Culture, and Blackness

3:30-5pm / Cross Cultural Center Social Justice Education / Cross Cultural Center, Comunidad Room • FREE

A lively panel discussion with Martin Boston, and Dr.s Fatima El-Tayeh, Gabriel Mendes and Jillian Hernandez. Also Q&A after. Please come join us.

Thu
Mar 5


(((Codes)))

8pm / The Loft / The Loft at UCSD
UCSD Students with ID Free / General $10

Join outstanding members of the UCSD gospel choir with an all-star performance, celebrating the rich tradition of gospel music, spoken word, jazz and the secret language of slave “codes”.
Buy tickets at the Box Office or at the Loft

Sponsors Office of the Chancellor • Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor • Office of the Vice Chancellor – Student Affairs • Office of the Vice Chancellor – Equity, Diversity and Inclusion • Alumni and Community Engagement • Vice Chancellor – Chief Financial Officer • Council of Provosts • Graduate Division • Creative Services and Publications • Division of Arts and Humanities • Division of Social Sciences • Jacobs School of Engineering • Department of Education Studies African and African-American Studies Research Center • UC San Diego Libraries UC San Diego Extensions • Housing, Dining and Hospitality • UC San Diego Faculty Club • University Events Office • Financial Aid Office • UC San Diego Box Office • Associated Students • UJIMA Network • Black Staff Association


Special Thanks to Creative Services and Publications and A.S. Graphic Studio

Very Special Thanks to all of the people who worked together to make all of this happen: 2015 Black History Month Planning Committee Members: Tammy Blevins - Chancellor Associates/Alumni Affairs • Tamika Franklin – Alumni and Community Engagement • Pamela Frugé – Department of Education Studies • Rebekah Harrold - VC Academic Affairs • Mya Hines-Arts and Humanities • Davyda Johnson – Business and Financial Services • Bennetta Jules-Rosette – Sociology/AAASRC • Jazzalyn Livingston - Black Student Union Heather McMaster, Chancellor Intern • Terece Moret - Center for Research/Ed. Equity • Stephanie Muldrow, Emeriti Member, Thurgood Marshall College • Margaret Rattanachane, Department of Education Studies • Stacia Solomon, Black Resource Center • Marcia Strong – Center for Student Involvement • Porsia Thomas, Black Resource Center • Beverly Ward – Student Life Business Office • Edwina Welch - Cross-Cultural Center • Ebonée Williams – Jacobs School of Engineering, Gordon Center • Tammy Williams, Jacobs School of Engineering and Qualcomm Institute Development