Transforming the Black Experience at Berkeley
An Interview with Takiyah Jackson about The Village and Thriving African American Initiatives
Guided Black History Tour of UC Berkeley
You’re invited to participate in a Black History Walking Tour about the Black community at UC Berkeley!
Black Activist Elders Oral History Project Reception
Learn more about African American Studies’ Black Activists Elders Oral History Project by watching this video.
How Black Americans worked to reform America’s legal system before the Civil Rights Movement
UC Berkeley professor Dylan Penningroth's book "Before the Movement" reveals the many ways Black Americans navigated the law by asserting their civil rights of property.
Black Culture Appreciation Night at Haas Pavilion
February 27, 2025 at 7pm
February is Black History Month, a time for us to honor and celebrate the rich cultural heritage and achievements of Black people and communities that are an indelible part of our country’s history.
Academic Department
Student, Staff, and Faculty Resources
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Black Staff & Faculty Organization - Celebrating 45+ years!
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Learn more about UC Berkeley's 15+ Black student organizations, such as the Black Student Union and Black Recruitment and Retention Center, Black Grad Student Association
Faculty
Black Wednesdays at UC Berkeley
The “Black Wednesday Wall” has provided a community gathering space for generations of Black Students at Cal. Over three decades ago, Black students, now important alumni, started gathering daily at the wall outside of the Golden Bear Cafe to meet, greet, and support one another. This legacy continued for over 30 years and grew into a weekly community event that is now called Black Wednesday. Black Wednesday was created to provide an opportunity for Black undergraduate, graduates, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members to be in community together and to share resources.
This sign post highlights the Black Public Arts space at the "Black Wednesday Wall" on Lower Sproul.
Individuals who were integral to the Black Wednesday Wall public art project share insights about the process of reimagining the space and what they ultimately envision it to be. Presented by Arts & Design and UC Berkeley’s African American Student Development Office.
[Watch on YouTube] https://youtu.be/2T4nsTFfsGQ?si=go_HP2DBPxcSIlTi
Articles/Videos
African Americans and Labor
This year's 2025 Black History Month theme is "African Americans and Labor(link is external)."
Events
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February 5, 2025 from 12:30-2:30pm in the Wood Room at Crossroads: Join Black Staff & Faculty Organization members for a soul food lunch. Menu items include blackened catfish, dirty rice, sautéed green beans, jerked tofu, housemade macaroni salad. Reserved seating for BSFO members in the Wood Room. Cost: $15 per person.
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February 5, 2025 at 7:30pm at Zellerbach Hall: Jazz vocalist Samara Joy
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February 6, 2025: Eternal Echoes event and Amy Sherald: American Sublime exhibition at SF Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) accessible via BART. Free access 12-8pm on First Thursdays. Reserve free First Thursday tickets
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February 8, 2025 at International House from 7-9 pm: John Burris: Godfather of Police Litigation Documentary Premiere
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February 11, 2025 at 12:00 - 2:00 pm in 820 Social Science Matrix: The Banned Scholars Project Presents Combatting Repression, Building Power
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February 8, 2025 at Museum of the African Diaspora (accessible via BART): Free community day. Black Staff & Faculty Organization recommends, no host event.
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February 13, 2025 at 6:30 - 8:00 pm in EastSide Arts Alliance, 2277 International Blvd, Oakland: The Banned Scholars Project Presents Beyond the Election Cycle
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February 21, 2025 from 2-7pm: Culture on the Block Market (2-4pm Lower Sproul) and Concert (5-7pm Mario Savio Steps). Follow AASD Instagram for details towards the end of the month.
- February 25, 2025 from 4-6pm: Join Diaspora Magazine and the Office of ASUC Senator Knapper for an evening art exhibition featuring black artists and creatives. The event will be held in the Student Union’s MLK Game Zone.
• February 23, 2025 from 12:30 - 2:00 pm: Black Joy Parade(link is external). Parade begins on 14th and Franklin in Downtown Oakland (accessible via BART). Celebration lasts until 7:00 pm. Black Staff & Faculty Organization meet up.
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February 26, 2025 at 1:00 - 3:00 pm: Kindred Creation: Parables and Paradigms for Freedom with Aida Mariam Davis. Visit AAS Events for more details later this month.
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February 27, 2025 at 4:30pm at Bear's Lair: Black Staff & Faculty Organization x Cal Women's Network Game Day Mixer for the Cal Women's Basketball Black Culture Appreciation game!
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February 27, 2025 at 7pm at Haas Pavilion: Black Culture Appreciation Night Georgia Tech vs UC Berkeley Women's Basketball game with African American Studies Professor Nikki Jones as Honorary Coach. Black Staff & Faculty Organization tickets and raffle.
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February 28, 2025 from 5-7pm on Upper Sproul: African American Student Development Black History Month Fashion Show. Follow AASD Instagram for details towards the end of the month.
- February 28, 2025 from 5:30-7pm: Black Underground Scholars at Berkeley. Join us in conversation about the experience of being a systems-impacted student at UC Berkeley.
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April 8-13, 2025 at Zellerbach Hall: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
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February 1, 5, 7, 13,18, 20, 25, 27, at multiple Berkeley Dining locations: Black History Month special events.
- February 5, 12, 19, 26 at International House Dining Commons: Regional African cuisine 2/5: Southern Africa: Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia & Kingdom of Eswatini; 2/12: West Africa: Cameroon & Cote D'Ivore, and Ghana; 2/19: Northern Africa; 2/29: Kenya & Tanzania.
Call to Action: NPHC ‘Divine Nine’ Plaza at UC Berkeley
The National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC) on campus is excited to announce that we are in the beginning stages of creating an NPHC plaza on campus. This plaza will testify to the resilience of our organizations and the Black population as a whole and represent all that we strive to accomplish. If you are interested in learning more about this project, receiving updates, and/or supporting this project, please fill out this Google form to join our list serve.
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