Self Mastery and Development (12:00PM - 12:45PM)
Becoming a well-rounded individual, an accomplished student, and a significant contributor to black culture is - we hope - the vision of every conference participant. Personal evolution is rarely easy though; it is usually a process that requires unyielding commitment to self-analysis and self-improvement. This series of workshops was intentionally assembled to encourage a high level of self-exploration and to provide practical strategies for immediate and lasting personal development.
Africa is NOT a Country: Eliminating the Stereotype, Illuminating the Potential (100 Wheeler Hall)Facilitator: Iman Barre (University of California, Santa Cruz)
This workshop will be facilitated by members of UCSC's African Student Union, and is specifically designed to illuminate the many misconceptions that people have about the continent of Africa. Through discussion and video clips, participants will come to understand how these stereotypes developed, will be challenged to explore their own personal biases, and will be inspired to help eliminate the prejudices that Africans face.
Branding Yourself for Success (174 Barrows Hall)
Facilitator: Alexis Allen (University of California, Irvine)
Aspects of the ‘personal’ self, such as happiness and health, provide the foundation upon which we can build success in the academic and professional realms of our lives. Mastery of the academic dimension, which is centered around being an active student and includes skill-building of time management, organization, and communication, will lead to an affirming professional life. Actualization of the professional’ self will require intentional resume-building, practical leadership development, and purposeful career exploration...all of which require an acute understanding of the ‘personal’ self. This workshop will present three dimensions of the ‘student’ self - personal, academic, and professional - and will discuss how all of the dimensions are closely intertwined. In addition, it will provide strategies for the development of all dimensions, so that a specific and particular ‘you’ will emerge...ready for long-term achievement and contentment.
Effective Student Leadership (160 Dwinelle Hall)
Facilitator: Darion Wallace (University of California, Berkeley)
Facilitator: Kevin Williams (University of California, Berkeley)
For Black students, the symbiotic relationship between being an academic scholar AND being a conscious leader is both rewarding and agonizing. It seems that students can no longer allow academic pursuits and contributions to community to be a ‘this OR that’ conversation; instead, the new dialogue is about how to transform the two experiences in to a ‘this AND that’. An understanding of institutional context, campus resources, time management, communication, work-ethics and networking (amongst other valuable skills and knowledge), are integral to the proper development of ourselves and our community. Only through efficient and effective programming can community bonding and political activism both prosper. This workshop will explore how students can work - out of love and for the sake of holding the fabric of our community together - toward positive interactions and effective collaborations.
Faith Traditions (Round-table Discussion) (209 Dwinelle)
Facilitator: Victor Sandifer (University of California, Berkeley)
Faith has always been an important component in the history of the black community; it has always played an integral part in keeping our community strong, viable, and thriving. Those who came before us, despite unspeakable atrocities, were able to survive because of their faith and now, in the face of current struggles, many African Americans continue to rely heavily upon their spiritual traditions. Whatever form of spirituality we may choose to practice, faith is what has brought us through and what gives us the strength to maintain optimism about the future. Participants in this round-table will be encouraged to share their opinions about the relevance of and issues surrounding faith in the black community...
Graduate School: From the Other Side of the Ivory Tower (122 Wheeler Hall)
Facilitator: Elizabeth Ohito (University of California, Berkeley)
UC Berkeley's Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA) will present a panel of students from various graduate programs (at master's, professional, and doctoral levels) throughout the university. They will describe their personal journeys to graduate school, current research and professional interests as well as the successes and challenges they have encountered as Black students on Berkeley's campus. They will be available to answer questions about the everything from pre-application preparation to the selection of academic advisors. This is an opportunity for anyone interested in graduate school to gain a Black insider's perspective on graduate level education.
Historical Context Can Change Your Perspective... (182 Dwinelle Hall)
Facilitator: Monica Hastings-Smith (University of California, Berkeley)
Go beyond memorizing names and facts and look deeper into the experiences and consciousness of several great freedom fighters that you rarely hear about in mainstream education. Connect yourself to their mission and their strength. In their shoes/your shoes, at their planning table/your table you can speak, resist, turn over, and create.
“Is there a problem?!?” (130 Wheeler Hall)
Facilitator: Keyanna Hatcher (Alumna of the University of California, Berkeley)
"Excuse me?!?"
"Wait...who you think you talking to?!?"
“Oh no...you didn't!!!"
These are just a few of the phrases that can be heard when there is a conflict between two individuals or a group of people in the black campus community. This workshop will encourage open discussion about the way we tend to deal with conflict and will provide practical tools that can be used to manage those times when we are "not feelin’ " "havin’ problems with" or "just not getting along with" our peers and colleagues.
Media Representation (126 Barrows Hall)
Facilitator: Ameer Loggins (University of California, Berkeley)
The representations of the African-Americans, both past and present, depict “Black America” as a population of ‘have- nots’ and a community marred by dysfunction. According to the media, there are some distinct realities about the black community; true beauty is the ‘exception’, bad attitudes are the norm, crime is a habit, fathers are truant, single mothers are welfare recipients and children are problems waiting to happen. This workshop will explore how these generalizations and representations have developed, and will provide strategies for dispelling the ‘black’ myths.
Sexual Health: The Truth (156 Dwinelle Hall
Facilitator: Christine Chilaka (University of California, Berkeley)
There are many disparities present in the U.S. health care system which, combined with a definitive lack of resources, lead to health epidemics (physically, emotionally, or mentally) throughout the African American community. These epidemics can be resolved through education and healthy communication. This workshop will focus on three key elements of promoting sexual health: educating individuals on the diversity of sexual orientations within the Black community, preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases within the community, and providing the essential components to a healthy intimate relationships.
Utilizing Inner Power to Map Your Personal & Professional Master Plan [Capitalizing on Intuition, Mapping Next Steps and Profiting from Self-Investment] (166 Barrows Hall)
Facilitator: Nzingha Dugas (University of California, Berkeley)
This workshop will assist participants in identifying the critical knowledge that will help to shape their lives - including strategies for building social capital, developing beneficial mentorship relationships, saying “yes” or “no” at strategic times and most importantly, using inner power as a life compass. Designed to help participants create their own success stories using available resources and connections, this workshop will focus on constructing a viable plan of advancement, which is essential to our personal development and life contentment. Participants can expect to leave with an understanding of how to capitalize on their intuition, a methodology for mapping their next educational and professional steps, and techniques for profiting from their self-investment.
Why You Should Wait (On Grad School...) (185 Barrows Hall)
Facilitator: Evelyn Alvarez (Alumna of the University of California, Berkeley)
Graduate School is not an option for everyone; it is not an endeavor that everyone should/can pursue. The benefits and struggles associated with graduate education revolve around a range of circumstances, which are specific to each student. This workshop will present a balanced picture about the very personal decision to attend graduate and/or to do so immediately after completing the undergraduate experience. Additionally, participants will be guided into developing their own personal list of actionable items, should the right decision for them involve ‘waiting’.
Your Body is a Temple (151 Barrows Hall)
Facilitator: Joleen Ruffin (University of California, Berkeley)
Facilitator: Quincy Ruffin (University of California, Berkeley)
For the black student, who often experiences converging forms of stress, a healthy body is a pre-cursor to a healthy mind...and, unsurprisingly, a healthy mind is critical to a healthy grade point average! Mindfulness, regular exercise, proper nutrition and self care are all instrumental in keeping the body and brain in harmony - a state which can help to maintain overall health. This workshop will discuss the connections between body and mind, and will provide strategies for treating your body as your own personal ‘place of worship’.
Africa is NOT a Country: Eliminating the Stereotype, Illuminating the Potential (100 Wheeler Hall)Facilitator: Iman Barre (University of California, Santa Cruz)
This workshop will be facilitated by members of UCSC's African Student Union, and is specifically designed to illuminate the many misconceptions that people have about the continent of Africa. Through discussion and video clips, participants will come to understand how these stereotypes developed, will be challenged to explore their own personal biases, and will be inspired to help eliminate the prejudices that Africans face.
Branding Yourself for Success (174 Barrows Hall)
Facilitator: Alexis Allen (University of California, Irvine)
Aspects of the ‘personal’ self, such as happiness and health, provide the foundation upon which we can build success in the academic and professional realms of our lives. Mastery of the academic dimension, which is centered around being an active student and includes skill-building of time management, organization, and communication, will lead to an affirming professional life. Actualization of the professional’ self will require intentional resume-building, practical leadership development, and purposeful career exploration...all of which require an acute understanding of the ‘personal’ self. This workshop will present three dimensions of the ‘student’ self - personal, academic, and professional - and will discuss how all of the dimensions are closely intertwined. In addition, it will provide strategies for the development of all dimensions, so that a specific and particular ‘you’ will emerge...ready for long-term achievement and contentment.
Effective Student Leadership (160 Dwinelle Hall)
Facilitator: Darion Wallace (University of California, Berkeley)
Facilitator: Kevin Williams (University of California, Berkeley)
For Black students, the symbiotic relationship between being an academic scholar AND being a conscious leader is both rewarding and agonizing. It seems that students can no longer allow academic pursuits and contributions to community to be a ‘this OR that’ conversation; instead, the new dialogue is about how to transform the two experiences in to a ‘this AND that’. An understanding of institutional context, campus resources, time management, communication, work-ethics and networking (amongst other valuable skills and knowledge), are integral to the proper development of ourselves and our community. Only through efficient and effective programming can community bonding and political activism both prosper. This workshop will explore how students can work - out of love and for the sake of holding the fabric of our community together - toward positive interactions and effective collaborations.
Faith Traditions (Round-table Discussion) (209 Dwinelle)
Facilitator: Victor Sandifer (University of California, Berkeley)
Faith has always been an important component in the history of the black community; it has always played an integral part in keeping our community strong, viable, and thriving. Those who came before us, despite unspeakable atrocities, were able to survive because of their faith and now, in the face of current struggles, many African Americans continue to rely heavily upon their spiritual traditions. Whatever form of spirituality we may choose to practice, faith is what has brought us through and what gives us the strength to maintain optimism about the future. Participants in this round-table will be encouraged to share their opinions about the relevance of and issues surrounding faith in the black community...
Graduate School: From the Other Side of the Ivory Tower (122 Wheeler Hall)
Facilitator: Elizabeth Ohito (University of California, Berkeley)
UC Berkeley's Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA) will present a panel of students from various graduate programs (at master's, professional, and doctoral levels) throughout the university. They will describe their personal journeys to graduate school, current research and professional interests as well as the successes and challenges they have encountered as Black students on Berkeley's campus. They will be available to answer questions about the everything from pre-application preparation to the selection of academic advisors. This is an opportunity for anyone interested in graduate school to gain a Black insider's perspective on graduate level education.
Historical Context Can Change Your Perspective... (182 Dwinelle Hall)
Facilitator: Monica Hastings-Smith (University of California, Berkeley)
Go beyond memorizing names and facts and look deeper into the experiences and consciousness of several great freedom fighters that you rarely hear about in mainstream education. Connect yourself to their mission and their strength. In their shoes/your shoes, at their planning table/your table you can speak, resist, turn over, and create.
“Is there a problem?!?” (130 Wheeler Hall)
Facilitator: Keyanna Hatcher (Alumna of the University of California, Berkeley)
"Excuse me?!?"
"Wait...who you think you talking to?!?"
“Oh no...you didn't!!!"
These are just a few of the phrases that can be heard when there is a conflict between two individuals or a group of people in the black campus community. This workshop will encourage open discussion about the way we tend to deal with conflict and will provide practical tools that can be used to manage those times when we are "not feelin’ " "havin’ problems with" or "just not getting along with" our peers and colleagues.
Media Representation (126 Barrows Hall)
Facilitator: Ameer Loggins (University of California, Berkeley)
The representations of the African-Americans, both past and present, depict “Black America” as a population of ‘have- nots’ and a community marred by dysfunction. According to the media, there are some distinct realities about the black community; true beauty is the ‘exception’, bad attitudes are the norm, crime is a habit, fathers are truant, single mothers are welfare recipients and children are problems waiting to happen. This workshop will explore how these generalizations and representations have developed, and will provide strategies for dispelling the ‘black’ myths.
Sexual Health: The Truth (156 Dwinelle Hall
Facilitator: Christine Chilaka (University of California, Berkeley)
There are many disparities present in the U.S. health care system which, combined with a definitive lack of resources, lead to health epidemics (physically, emotionally, or mentally) throughout the African American community. These epidemics can be resolved through education and healthy communication. This workshop will focus on three key elements of promoting sexual health: educating individuals on the diversity of sexual orientations within the Black community, preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases within the community, and providing the essential components to a healthy intimate relationships.
Utilizing Inner Power to Map Your Personal & Professional Master Plan [Capitalizing on Intuition, Mapping Next Steps and Profiting from Self-Investment] (166 Barrows Hall)
Facilitator: Nzingha Dugas (University of California, Berkeley)
This workshop will assist participants in identifying the critical knowledge that will help to shape their lives - including strategies for building social capital, developing beneficial mentorship relationships, saying “yes” or “no” at strategic times and most importantly, using inner power as a life compass. Designed to help participants create their own success stories using available resources and connections, this workshop will focus on constructing a viable plan of advancement, which is essential to our personal development and life contentment. Participants can expect to leave with an understanding of how to capitalize on their intuition, a methodology for mapping their next educational and professional steps, and techniques for profiting from their self-investment.
Why You Should Wait (On Grad School...) (185 Barrows Hall)
Facilitator: Evelyn Alvarez (Alumna of the University of California, Berkeley)
Graduate School is not an option for everyone; it is not an endeavor that everyone should/can pursue. The benefits and struggles associated with graduate education revolve around a range of circumstances, which are specific to each student. This workshop will present a balanced picture about the very personal decision to attend graduate and/or to do so immediately after completing the undergraduate experience. Additionally, participants will be guided into developing their own personal list of actionable items, should the right decision for them involve ‘waiting’.
Your Body is a Temple (151 Barrows Hall)
Facilitator: Joleen Ruffin (University of California, Berkeley)
Facilitator: Quincy Ruffin (University of California, Berkeley)
For the black student, who often experiences converging forms of stress, a healthy body is a pre-cursor to a healthy mind...and, unsurprisingly, a healthy mind is critical to a healthy grade point average! Mindfulness, regular exercise, proper nutrition and self care are all instrumental in keeping the body and brain in harmony - a state which can help to maintain overall health. This workshop will discuss the connections between body and mind, and will provide strategies for treating your body as your own personal ‘place of worship’.
Interpersonal Relationships (2:50PM - 3:40PM)
“No (wo)man is an Island” and so, we all spend an inordinate amount of time developing and maintaining relationships. Whether professional, personal or intimate - healthy relationships can exponentially augment the black student experience. The manifestation of such inter-connectedness, however, is not arbitrary and often relies on an ability to understand and cultivate the manner in which we relate to others. These sessions will explore how, as peers and colleagues, we can more effectively understand, support and care for one another.
A3 4 Life: The Act Against Aids Campaign (122 Wheeler Hall)
Facilitator: Anastasia Gorden (University of California at Berkeley)
This workshop, by raising awareness among members of a particularly at-risk community, hopes to re-engage African American students in the fight against HIV by combating complacency and increasing the amount of youth getting tested. It will feature an HIV coordinator who, working in conjunction with the Act Against AIDS campaign, will provide information about HIV prevention services and will give free HIV tests.
A3 4 Life: HIV Testing (130 Wheeler Hall)
HIV/AIDS is a pandemic within the Black Community to say the least. Part of its spread is attributed to the fact that, as a people, we don’t get tested with adequate frequency . Here’s your opportunity to do so. Help us put an end to the spread of HIV/AID’s and get tested today! All it takes is a simple swab of the cheek! (For more information on the purpose of this testing, please see the workshop description for “A3 4 Life”.
College Days Poetry Slam (209 Dwinelle Hall)
Facilitator: African Arts Society (University of California, Berkeley)
Langston Hughes. June Jordan. Maya Angelou. In the decades preceding ours, these great poets participated in shaping how we view the Black experience. Could you be next? This workshop, hosted by UC Berkeley’s African Arts Society, will guide participants as they examine their writing potential and “put pen to paper” in order to document their lived experience. Today’s spoken word poets are tomorrow’s Audre Lorde’s and Robert Hayden’s.
The Black Family (166 Barrows Hall)
Panelist: Joshua Fredenburg, California State University, Long Beach
Panelist: Pastor Michael McBride (The Way Christian Center)
Panelist: Maxine McKinney, Graduate Student in Education, University of California, Berkeley,
Panelist: Na’ilah Suad Nasir, Professor, Education Department, University of California, Berkeley,
The Black Family is the crux of the Black community; it is the center for our growth and our development. So...how will you develop your family? How will you interact with your spouse, children, and relatives to produce a strong, vibrant, and healthy household? It is never too early to begin contemplating these questions. This workshop will present a ‘real talk’ about family life from couples who live the ‘struggle’ daily and provide first-hand testimonies about the effort required to maintain a successful family structure. This conversation is now more critical than ever because happy families not only build personal fulfilment...they also build stronger communities!
Black Politics 2012 (126 Barrows Hall)
Panelist: Councilman Max Anderson (City of Berkeley)
Panelist: Councilman Olden James (City of Hayward)
Panelist: Stefan Montouth (University of California, Berkeley)
Panelist: Lynette Sweet (BART Board of Directors)
This interactive panel will examine the state of Black political affairs, given the upcoming election year. After the election of President Barack Obama, the Black community saw a sharp decrease in the number of Black elected officials. So now, what is the role of Black elected officials...and how should they represent our community in the context of larger American society? This workshop will allow participants to hear, directly from experienced officials, the varying ‘public service’ perspectives about how we should address our community’s most salient issues.
Community Dynamics (123 Wheeler Hall)
Facilitator: Quincy Jones (Alumnus, University of California, Berkeley)
Facilitator: Annamaria Hazard (Alumnus, University of California, Berkeley)
Facilitator: Jante’ Pruitt (Alumnus, University of California, Berkeley)
College presents, for many, an entirely new frontier of relationships...friends, best friends, student groups...and the college experience begs the question “how can a bridge of love be built between our many different places of understanding?”. The campus community is a feeder that, for many us, nourishes the majority of our life-long relationships. This workshop will provide personal accounts from recent alumni on how to foster positive healthy relationships in your college tenure.
Cycle of Violence (106 Moffitt Library)
Facilitator: Allyssa Villanueva (University of California, San Diego)
Police brutality, aimed at Black youth, is a disease which has plagued our community for far too long. The structure of the United States places Black people as the most vulnerable to premature death. Each year, hundreds of our youth are harassed, brutalized, criminalized, and murdered by the very people who are supposedly charged with protecting our safety. This workshop will bring to light the origins of these constructions and analyze the larger economy of violence in the U.S. , from the prison-industrial complex to police murder executions.
Communities Left...Communities Left Behind (160 Dwinelle Hall)
Panelist: Josephine Ayankoya (University of California, Berkeley)
Panelist: Jalessa Bryant (University of California, Berkeley)
Panelist: Keyanna Hatcher (Alumnus University of California, Berkeley)
Congratulations, you’ve made it! Now what? As college students, we are privileged with access to a spectrum of knowledge and with the capacity to increase our social mobility. At the same time, the Black community at-large continues to suffer from numerous ailments ranging from poor health to economic insecurity and disproportionately high incarceration rates. Do we, as Black college students have any moral responsibility to the larger Black community? Or is the premise of ‘needing to give back’ an unreasonable ethical imperative that must be re-examined? Come, listen and take part in a vibrant discussion as students and alumni dissect the role of Black college students in the larger community.
Is the BSU Still Relevant? (70 Evans Hall)
Panelist: Fnann Keflezighi (Alumnus, University of California, San Diego),
Panelist: Naomi Wilson (University of California, Berkeley),
Panelist: Tierra Moore (University of California, Los Angeles)
Panelist: Davis Ritcherson (Alumnus, University of California, San Diego)
40 years ago, when racism was visually vibrant, open, and unconfined, the Black Student Union was formed on the campus of San Francisco State University intending to engage students in the struggle for education empowerment, access, and equality. Since then, it has spread across the country and touched most campuses in America. But are these problems even a reality for us today? This panel discussion will bring together Black student leaders from throughout the state for a lively discussion on the relevance of BSU in the post-Obama era.
Lumina Project (156 Dwinelle Hall)
Facilitator: Devon Miner Black Male Institute (University of California, Los Angeles)
The presentation seeks to inform participants of the disheartening retention rates of African American men on predominately white collegiate institutions. As a part of a nationally launched initiative from the University of Pennsylvania, the Lumina Project at UCLA seeks to elicit, research, and analyze information gathered from our “Blacklimated” course, which was designed for first year (freshmen and transfers) African American males at UCLA. This session is designed to foster a better understanding of the African American male experience within the University of California and California State University school systems, in an attempt to better address the staggering retention and graduation rates of males within the African Diaspora.
N.P.H.C. and the Community (151 Barrows Hall)
Facilitator: Darion Wallace (University of California, Berkeley)
Facilitator: Omonivie Agboghidi (University of California, Berkeley)
The organizations that comprise the National Pan-Hellenic Council (N.P.H.C.) boast a rich history of serving the African-American community, upholding principles of brotherhood/sisterhood and achieving academic success. However, over time this legacy has been marred by misinformation and misconceptions. Gradually, in the black campus community, an unspoken rift has emerged between the N.P.H.C. and non-affiliated students; both groups have directly and indirectly contributed to this divide and both groups need to be a part of the conversation to formulate solutions. This workshop will facilitate pertinent dialogue regarding the relevancy of N.P.H.C. and the relationship each organization’s has with its respective black campus community...for the benefit of both N.P.H.C. members and non-affiliated on-campus members.
Sankofa: The Highest Form of Love (182 Dwinelle Hall)
Panelists: Joleen & Quincy Ruffin (University of California, Berkeley),
Panelists: Monique Coleman & LaTasha Pollard (University of California, Berkeley)
Panelists: De-Angela McVay & Darrin Norwood (University of California, Berkeley)
Currently, 50% of ALL marriages end in divorce; almost half of the black women in today’s society have never been married. Why does it seem like an impossibility for Black couples to develop long-standing relationships? In this workshop, three couples who have managed to stand the test of time and adversity, will impart their acquired wisdom. Through years of high school, years of college and/or beyond, these couples have beaten the status quo and kept it ‘together’. They will be participating in this panel to share the secrets of their successful Black relationship, and to reinforce what we already know despite what we’ve been told: Black Love is an achievable reality!!.
This Movement and Ours (100 Wheeler Hall)
Facilitator: Wanjiku Muhire (University of California, Santa Cruz),
Tatiana Bush (University of California, Davis)
Many of our campuses have recently seen a spike in action, with regard to organizing and protesting. However, very few of these groups are able to produce a 'successful' experience because of underlying internal issues. Many of the 'occupy', 'anti-capitalist', 'decolonization', and 'no-more-fee-hike' movements are plagued by internal strife and lack of support from the broader (campus) community. In this workshop, we will acknowledge the most common organizing flaws, analyze the causes of these flaws, then identify overarching and individualized steps towards progress for our campus organizers. Times have changed since the mass protests of the 70's and our approaches need to change as well. State officials, administrators, and UCPD's are changing their tactics. We cannot afford to remain stagnant.
Understanding the Black Student Athlete Experience (103 Moffitt Library)
Panelists: Black Student Athlete Coalition (University of California, Berkeley)
Black students comprise less than 4% of the UC students on campus today; a varying number of these black students are admitted as student athletes. Often, this segment of the black campus community is unfairly categorized and incorrectly perceived. They are frequently thought of as experiencing the ‘academy’ in a manner that does not mirror the experiences of non-athletes. This workshop, facilitated by the Black Student Athlete Coalition at UC Berkeley, seeks to dispel some of the myths associated with the life of a “student athlete”.
When and Where I Enter (185 Barrows Hall)
Facilitator: Jasmine Phillips (University of California, San Diego)
The workshop centers on locating and positioning the experiences of Black women in Black space; it will offer an opportunity to explore differences within our community without seeing them as causes of disunity. Additionally, there will be a focus on the concept of "intersectionality", recognizing that the goal of ending oppression for Black people is inseparable from and requires active elimination of sexism, homophobia, ableism, etc. Participants will be encouraged to participate in a brainstorm and to share ideas for getting ‘organized’ that center on both shared and diverse realities.
A3 4 Life: The Act Against Aids Campaign (122 Wheeler Hall)
Facilitator: Anastasia Gorden (University of California at Berkeley)
This workshop, by raising awareness among members of a particularly at-risk community, hopes to re-engage African American students in the fight against HIV by combating complacency and increasing the amount of youth getting tested. It will feature an HIV coordinator who, working in conjunction with the Act Against AIDS campaign, will provide information about HIV prevention services and will give free HIV tests.
A3 4 Life: HIV Testing (130 Wheeler Hall)
HIV/AIDS is a pandemic within the Black Community to say the least. Part of its spread is attributed to the fact that, as a people, we don’t get tested with adequate frequency . Here’s your opportunity to do so. Help us put an end to the spread of HIV/AID’s and get tested today! All it takes is a simple swab of the cheek! (For more information on the purpose of this testing, please see the workshop description for “A3 4 Life”.
College Days Poetry Slam (209 Dwinelle Hall)
Facilitator: African Arts Society (University of California, Berkeley)
Langston Hughes. June Jordan. Maya Angelou. In the decades preceding ours, these great poets participated in shaping how we view the Black experience. Could you be next? This workshop, hosted by UC Berkeley’s African Arts Society, will guide participants as they examine their writing potential and “put pen to paper” in order to document their lived experience. Today’s spoken word poets are tomorrow’s Audre Lorde’s and Robert Hayden’s.
The Black Family (166 Barrows Hall)
Panelist: Joshua Fredenburg, California State University, Long Beach
Panelist: Pastor Michael McBride (The Way Christian Center)
Panelist: Maxine McKinney, Graduate Student in Education, University of California, Berkeley,
Panelist: Na’ilah Suad Nasir, Professor, Education Department, University of California, Berkeley,
The Black Family is the crux of the Black community; it is the center for our growth and our development. So...how will you develop your family? How will you interact with your spouse, children, and relatives to produce a strong, vibrant, and healthy household? It is never too early to begin contemplating these questions. This workshop will present a ‘real talk’ about family life from couples who live the ‘struggle’ daily and provide first-hand testimonies about the effort required to maintain a successful family structure. This conversation is now more critical than ever because happy families not only build personal fulfilment...they also build stronger communities!
Black Politics 2012 (126 Barrows Hall)
Panelist: Councilman Max Anderson (City of Berkeley)
Panelist: Councilman Olden James (City of Hayward)
Panelist: Stefan Montouth (University of California, Berkeley)
Panelist: Lynette Sweet (BART Board of Directors)
This interactive panel will examine the state of Black political affairs, given the upcoming election year. After the election of President Barack Obama, the Black community saw a sharp decrease in the number of Black elected officials. So now, what is the role of Black elected officials...and how should they represent our community in the context of larger American society? This workshop will allow participants to hear, directly from experienced officials, the varying ‘public service’ perspectives about how we should address our community’s most salient issues.
Community Dynamics (123 Wheeler Hall)
Facilitator: Quincy Jones (Alumnus, University of California, Berkeley)
Facilitator: Annamaria Hazard (Alumnus, University of California, Berkeley)
Facilitator: Jante’ Pruitt (Alumnus, University of California, Berkeley)
College presents, for many, an entirely new frontier of relationships...friends, best friends, student groups...and the college experience begs the question “how can a bridge of love be built between our many different places of understanding?”. The campus community is a feeder that, for many us, nourishes the majority of our life-long relationships. This workshop will provide personal accounts from recent alumni on how to foster positive healthy relationships in your college tenure.
Cycle of Violence (106 Moffitt Library)
Facilitator: Allyssa Villanueva (University of California, San Diego)
Police brutality, aimed at Black youth, is a disease which has plagued our community for far too long. The structure of the United States places Black people as the most vulnerable to premature death. Each year, hundreds of our youth are harassed, brutalized, criminalized, and murdered by the very people who are supposedly charged with protecting our safety. This workshop will bring to light the origins of these constructions and analyze the larger economy of violence in the U.S. , from the prison-industrial complex to police murder executions.
Communities Left...Communities Left Behind (160 Dwinelle Hall)
Panelist: Josephine Ayankoya (University of California, Berkeley)
Panelist: Jalessa Bryant (University of California, Berkeley)
Panelist: Keyanna Hatcher (Alumnus University of California, Berkeley)
Congratulations, you’ve made it! Now what? As college students, we are privileged with access to a spectrum of knowledge and with the capacity to increase our social mobility. At the same time, the Black community at-large continues to suffer from numerous ailments ranging from poor health to economic insecurity and disproportionately high incarceration rates. Do we, as Black college students have any moral responsibility to the larger Black community? Or is the premise of ‘needing to give back’ an unreasonable ethical imperative that must be re-examined? Come, listen and take part in a vibrant discussion as students and alumni dissect the role of Black college students in the larger community.
Is the BSU Still Relevant? (70 Evans Hall)
Panelist: Fnann Keflezighi (Alumnus, University of California, San Diego),
Panelist: Naomi Wilson (University of California, Berkeley),
Panelist: Tierra Moore (University of California, Los Angeles)
Panelist: Davis Ritcherson (Alumnus, University of California, San Diego)
40 years ago, when racism was visually vibrant, open, and unconfined, the Black Student Union was formed on the campus of San Francisco State University intending to engage students in the struggle for education empowerment, access, and equality. Since then, it has spread across the country and touched most campuses in America. But are these problems even a reality for us today? This panel discussion will bring together Black student leaders from throughout the state for a lively discussion on the relevance of BSU in the post-Obama era.
Lumina Project (156 Dwinelle Hall)
Facilitator: Devon Miner Black Male Institute (University of California, Los Angeles)
The presentation seeks to inform participants of the disheartening retention rates of African American men on predominately white collegiate institutions. As a part of a nationally launched initiative from the University of Pennsylvania, the Lumina Project at UCLA seeks to elicit, research, and analyze information gathered from our “Blacklimated” course, which was designed for first year (freshmen and transfers) African American males at UCLA. This session is designed to foster a better understanding of the African American male experience within the University of California and California State University school systems, in an attempt to better address the staggering retention and graduation rates of males within the African Diaspora.
N.P.H.C. and the Community (151 Barrows Hall)
Facilitator: Darion Wallace (University of California, Berkeley)
Facilitator: Omonivie Agboghidi (University of California, Berkeley)
The organizations that comprise the National Pan-Hellenic Council (N.P.H.C.) boast a rich history of serving the African-American community, upholding principles of brotherhood/sisterhood and achieving academic success. However, over time this legacy has been marred by misinformation and misconceptions. Gradually, in the black campus community, an unspoken rift has emerged between the N.P.H.C. and non-affiliated students; both groups have directly and indirectly contributed to this divide and both groups need to be a part of the conversation to formulate solutions. This workshop will facilitate pertinent dialogue regarding the relevancy of N.P.H.C. and the relationship each organization’s has with its respective black campus community...for the benefit of both N.P.H.C. members and non-affiliated on-campus members.
Sankofa: The Highest Form of Love (182 Dwinelle Hall)
Panelists: Joleen & Quincy Ruffin (University of California, Berkeley),
Panelists: Monique Coleman & LaTasha Pollard (University of California, Berkeley)
Panelists: De-Angela McVay & Darrin Norwood (University of California, Berkeley)
Currently, 50% of ALL marriages end in divorce; almost half of the black women in today’s society have never been married. Why does it seem like an impossibility for Black couples to develop long-standing relationships? In this workshop, three couples who have managed to stand the test of time and adversity, will impart their acquired wisdom. Through years of high school, years of college and/or beyond, these couples have beaten the status quo and kept it ‘together’. They will be participating in this panel to share the secrets of their successful Black relationship, and to reinforce what we already know despite what we’ve been told: Black Love is an achievable reality!!.
This Movement and Ours (100 Wheeler Hall)
Facilitator: Wanjiku Muhire (University of California, Santa Cruz),
Tatiana Bush (University of California, Davis)
Many of our campuses have recently seen a spike in action, with regard to organizing and protesting. However, very few of these groups are able to produce a 'successful' experience because of underlying internal issues. Many of the 'occupy', 'anti-capitalist', 'decolonization', and 'no-more-fee-hike' movements are plagued by internal strife and lack of support from the broader (campus) community. In this workshop, we will acknowledge the most common organizing flaws, analyze the causes of these flaws, then identify overarching and individualized steps towards progress for our campus organizers. Times have changed since the mass protests of the 70's and our approaches need to change as well. State officials, administrators, and UCPD's are changing their tactics. We cannot afford to remain stagnant.
Understanding the Black Student Athlete Experience (103 Moffitt Library)
Panelists: Black Student Athlete Coalition (University of California, Berkeley)
Black students comprise less than 4% of the UC students on campus today; a varying number of these black students are admitted as student athletes. Often, this segment of the black campus community is unfairly categorized and incorrectly perceived. They are frequently thought of as experiencing the ‘academy’ in a manner that does not mirror the experiences of non-athletes. This workshop, facilitated by the Black Student Athlete Coalition at UC Berkeley, seeks to dispel some of the myths associated with the life of a “student athlete”.
When and Where I Enter (185 Barrows Hall)
Facilitator: Jasmine Phillips (University of California, San Diego)
The workshop centers on locating and positioning the experiences of Black women in Black space; it will offer an opportunity to explore differences within our community without seeing them as causes of disunity. Additionally, there will be a focus on the concept of "intersectionality", recognizing that the goal of ending oppression for Black people is inseparable from and requires active elimination of sexism, homophobia, ableism, etc. Participants will be encouraged to participate in a brainstorm and to share ideas for getting ‘organized’ that center on both shared and diverse realities.
Community Action (5:00PM - 6:15PM)
After exploring who we are as individuals and who we are in relation to one another, a natural progression is to consider who we should be, in relation to the campus collective and the larger African-American community. It has been said that “if you change nothing, nothing changes”...and because change is currently the only option, a burden of transformation now falls upon our generation. These workshops have been specifically designed to provide black students with a forum to discuss the needs of the black community, to formulate viable ‘action’ strategies, and to take the initial steps toward societal revolution.
A Critical Look at California Correctional Facilities and Prison Policy: Where Do We Begin and What Do We Do? (155 Barrows Hall)
Facilitator: Marlysa Thomas (University of California, Berkeley)
Have you ever wondered why the prison system is the way it is today? You are not alone, and so the prison system is the topic that will be analyzed and discussed in this workshop, This presentation will specifically examine the current correctional facilities of California, scrutinize the state’s current prison policy, identify those who are most affected by it, and determine tangible ways to fight the injustices of over-representation in these facilities.
Campaigns of 2012: Obama, Romney, and Kony (160 Dwinelle Hall)
Facilitator: Eliazar Chacha (Alumnus, University of California, Berkeley),
Facilitator: Darrin Norwood (University of California, Berkeley),
Facilitator: Victor Sandifer (University of California, Berkeley),
Facilitator: Justin Marschke (University of California, Berkeley)
Obama? Mitt Romney? Joseph Kony?!?
You may be asking yourself why these gentlemen would even be in the same sentence together, let alone comprising the content matter in a single workshop. This workshop will explain the connection between these men, and will offer numerous insights about the impact of political campaigns - including why we respond to them in the way we do. The Invisible Children 2012 video, which has recently become a viral sensation (over 26 million views only four days after its initial release), will be aired and subsequently discussed, with a specific focus on the influence technology has had on how we identify with political and international conflicts. Are You In??
Caucus for Change (160 Dwinelle Hall)
Facilitators: Various
The Black Community is facing its share of struggles across every major institution in the United States: education, employment, government, law and media are just a few of the societal systems that indirectly and directly oppress African-Americans. It will take a concerted effort to facilitate the type of multi-dimensional change that can effectively eradicate these systems of oppression. This series of caucuses will ask participants to explore, within their fields of interest, the current problems that are most impacting Black America and to develop practical solutions which can be implemented to enact change.
Architecture Caucus - 156 Dwinelle Hall
Business Caucus - 123 Wheeler Hall
Education Caucus - 166 Barrows Hall
Engineering Caucus - 174 Barrows Hall
Entrepreneur Caucus - 122 Wheeler Hall
Fashion Caucus - 209 Dwinelle Hall
Grass Roots Organizing Caucus - 122 Wheeler Hall
Health Caucus - 160 Dwinelle Hall
Journalism Caucus - 126 Barrows Hall
Law Caucus - 130 Wheeler Hall
Community Betterment: From Dream to Action 160 Dwinelle Hall
Facilitator: Monica Hastings-Smith (University of California, Berkeley)
Facilitator: Yafeu Tyhimba (University of California, Berkeley)
In this workshop, "Black Like Me" Director and Oakland native Yafeu Tyhimba will describe how, after seeing and feeling a strong need for self-awareness and self-love in his community, he literally dreamed a solution and brought the dream to fruition. This process of converting dream to action is, by no means, a step by step process; it is more of a check-in regarding your own dreams and level of commitment. How committed are you? Participants will also have the opportunity to play the African Diaspora history game that Yafeu Tyhimba created as high intentioned edu-tainment.
Death Penalty Reform 185 Barrows Hall
Facilitator: Ericka Beckles (University of California, Merced)
The Death Penalty is one of the most controversial topics on the national stage right now. Participants in this workshop will discuss the current status of the Criminal in-Justice System, examine state budget allocations toward prisons, and collectively formulate a feasible action plan to help reform the disparities which - perpetuated by the prison-industrial complex - exist in our society,. The workshop will be co-facilitated by a member of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California, a group which is currently spearheading a campaign to cut the corrections budget and death penalty.
Interconnecting Generations of Black Men 24 Wheeler Hall
Facilitator: Baba Achebe
There has been a distinctive lack of dialogue and connection between the current generations of Black men. Relevant to our conference theme, this workshop will center around the role that black males can and should assume in creating a ‘torch’ to pass on to future generations. Multiple generations of Black men will talk about the struggles and triumphs they have encountered on their journey to discovering what it means to be both a Black man in America and an activist in the Black community. This beautiful conversation will inspire the creation of tangible goals to uplift our community.
Occupy: The Movement 151 Barrows Hall
Facilitator: Marco Amaral!(University of California, Berkeley)
Facilitator: Destiny Iwuoma (University of California, Berkeley)
In this workshop, you will be able to hear about the movement from the perspective of an Occupier! Get the real scoop on the Movement from two active protesters who were part of Occupy San Francisco, Occupy Berkeley, Occupy Oakland and, of course, Occupy Cal. Is the Occupy Movement still relevant? Is it losing momentum? Join the conversation.
Prison Industrial System 182 Dwinelle Hall
Facilitator: Barbabra Bonaparte
The prison industrial system has had and continues to have an enormous effect on the Black community. It affects the Black family, Black economics, and simply Black life. There are ways in which the prison industrial system has been purposefully designed to increase the incarceration rates of Black and Brown people; this workshop intends to to delve into the motivation for the perpetuation this system. Discussion will revolve around the historical context, current state, and alarming statistics of the prison system, and will culminate in a ‘brainstorming’ about how we can cut the ties that bind our Black community to the prison industrial system.
Recycling Black Dollars 100 Wheeler Hall
Facilitator: Marcel Jones (University of California, Berkeley)
This workshop will provide an overview of the status of black economics and share programs which have been created to promote economic group-empowerment. Participants will be challenged to develop tangible economic plans that can be implemented in different areas around the state, similar to the newest initiative of Berkeley’s Black Student Union: The Black Finance Guild.
A Critical Look at California Correctional Facilities and Prison Policy: Where Do We Begin and What Do We Do? (155 Barrows Hall)
Facilitator: Marlysa Thomas (University of California, Berkeley)
Have you ever wondered why the prison system is the way it is today? You are not alone, and so the prison system is the topic that will be analyzed and discussed in this workshop, This presentation will specifically examine the current correctional facilities of California, scrutinize the state’s current prison policy, identify those who are most affected by it, and determine tangible ways to fight the injustices of over-representation in these facilities.
Campaigns of 2012: Obama, Romney, and Kony (160 Dwinelle Hall)
Facilitator: Eliazar Chacha (Alumnus, University of California, Berkeley),
Facilitator: Darrin Norwood (University of California, Berkeley),
Facilitator: Victor Sandifer (University of California, Berkeley),
Facilitator: Justin Marschke (University of California, Berkeley)
Obama? Mitt Romney? Joseph Kony?!?
You may be asking yourself why these gentlemen would even be in the same sentence together, let alone comprising the content matter in a single workshop. This workshop will explain the connection between these men, and will offer numerous insights about the impact of political campaigns - including why we respond to them in the way we do. The Invisible Children 2012 video, which has recently become a viral sensation (over 26 million views only four days after its initial release), will be aired and subsequently discussed, with a specific focus on the influence technology has had on how we identify with political and international conflicts. Are You In??
Caucus for Change (160 Dwinelle Hall)
Facilitators: Various
The Black Community is facing its share of struggles across every major institution in the United States: education, employment, government, law and media are just a few of the societal systems that indirectly and directly oppress African-Americans. It will take a concerted effort to facilitate the type of multi-dimensional change that can effectively eradicate these systems of oppression. This series of caucuses will ask participants to explore, within their fields of interest, the current problems that are most impacting Black America and to develop practical solutions which can be implemented to enact change.
Architecture Caucus - 156 Dwinelle Hall
Business Caucus - 123 Wheeler Hall
Education Caucus - 166 Barrows Hall
Engineering Caucus - 174 Barrows Hall
Entrepreneur Caucus - 122 Wheeler Hall
Fashion Caucus - 209 Dwinelle Hall
Grass Roots Organizing Caucus - 122 Wheeler Hall
Health Caucus - 160 Dwinelle Hall
Journalism Caucus - 126 Barrows Hall
Law Caucus - 130 Wheeler Hall
Community Betterment: From Dream to Action 160 Dwinelle Hall
Facilitator: Monica Hastings-Smith (University of California, Berkeley)
Facilitator: Yafeu Tyhimba (University of California, Berkeley)
In this workshop, "Black Like Me" Director and Oakland native Yafeu Tyhimba will describe how, after seeing and feeling a strong need for self-awareness and self-love in his community, he literally dreamed a solution and brought the dream to fruition. This process of converting dream to action is, by no means, a step by step process; it is more of a check-in regarding your own dreams and level of commitment. How committed are you? Participants will also have the opportunity to play the African Diaspora history game that Yafeu Tyhimba created as high intentioned edu-tainment.
Death Penalty Reform 185 Barrows Hall
Facilitator: Ericka Beckles (University of California, Merced)
The Death Penalty is one of the most controversial topics on the national stage right now. Participants in this workshop will discuss the current status of the Criminal in-Justice System, examine state budget allocations toward prisons, and collectively formulate a feasible action plan to help reform the disparities which - perpetuated by the prison-industrial complex - exist in our society,. The workshop will be co-facilitated by a member of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California, a group which is currently spearheading a campaign to cut the corrections budget and death penalty.
Interconnecting Generations of Black Men 24 Wheeler Hall
Facilitator: Baba Achebe
There has been a distinctive lack of dialogue and connection between the current generations of Black men. Relevant to our conference theme, this workshop will center around the role that black males can and should assume in creating a ‘torch’ to pass on to future generations. Multiple generations of Black men will talk about the struggles and triumphs they have encountered on their journey to discovering what it means to be both a Black man in America and an activist in the Black community. This beautiful conversation will inspire the creation of tangible goals to uplift our community.
Occupy: The Movement 151 Barrows Hall
Facilitator: Marco Amaral!(University of California, Berkeley)
Facilitator: Destiny Iwuoma (University of California, Berkeley)
In this workshop, you will be able to hear about the movement from the perspective of an Occupier! Get the real scoop on the Movement from two active protesters who were part of Occupy San Francisco, Occupy Berkeley, Occupy Oakland and, of course, Occupy Cal. Is the Occupy Movement still relevant? Is it losing momentum? Join the conversation.
Prison Industrial System 182 Dwinelle Hall
Facilitator: Barbabra Bonaparte
The prison industrial system has had and continues to have an enormous effect on the Black community. It affects the Black family, Black economics, and simply Black life. There are ways in which the prison industrial system has been purposefully designed to increase the incarceration rates of Black and Brown people; this workshop intends to to delve into the motivation for the perpetuation this system. Discussion will revolve around the historical context, current state, and alarming statistics of the prison system, and will culminate in a ‘brainstorming’ about how we can cut the ties that bind our Black community to the prison industrial system.
Recycling Black Dollars 100 Wheeler Hall
Facilitator: Marcel Jones (University of California, Berkeley)
This workshop will provide an overview of the status of black economics and share programs which have been created to promote economic group-empowerment. Participants will be challenged to develop tangible economic plans that can be implemented in different areas around the state, similar to the newest initiative of Berkeley’s Black Student Union: The Black Finance Guild.
