Black History Month 2023

This year we celebrate Black History Month with a theme of Black Advancement. On February 12, 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was created to secure the rights of all people as outlined in the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution. The NAACP still exists and is the nation’s largest and most widely recognized civil rights organization. How do we incorporate the idea of guaranteed rights and the promotion of equality through the lens of our UCSF community? How do we achieve advancement for a population that has been historically excluded from so many of the rights and liberties that define being a United States citizen?

This is a call to action for all of us to promote education, provide access and boldly demand inclusion for members of our Black community in all areas of the American experience. Everyone needs to be educated on the systemic oppression that remains as an obstacle to generational wealth, educational opportunities, and equitable healthcare. We must find ways to help navigate the labyrinth of hurdles that were designed to prevent Black people from gaining access to resources. It will also be necessary to refuse the legitimacy of any initiative that does not include the perspective and input of all members of our society. This includes the use of healthcare tools that do not consider the melanin in our skin such as oximeters that fail to accurately measure the oxygen levels of dark-skinned people, and anatomy diagrams that do not reflect the diversity of our skin tones. Together we can find ways to bring about the advancement of Black people in every aspect of life by incorporating intention and purpose.

We encourage you to show your UCSF PRIDE by sharing your African American/Black heritage with your colleagues and friends. Here are a few ways you can share.

  • Change your social media and Zoom profile picture to reflect your African American/ Black Heritage
  • On Zoom use a virtual background showing your African American/Black Heritage (Bonus if the photo is one you took yourself)
  • Add "Black History Month" and/or an image showing your African American/Black Heritage to your Email Signature
  • Virtual Backgrounds for Black History Month can be downloaded here

                                     BCH                   UCSF     

UCSF EVENTS

Monthly Yoga Series with Shirley Johnson

Wednesdays, 1 pm - 2 pm 

We are excited to welcome Shirley Johnson, LMFT back to facilitate these inperson yoga sessions.  

Dates of the yoga sessions:

  • Wednesday, February 1st @ Office of Diversity & Outreach Resource Centers - 500 Parnassus Avenue, Millberry Union 102W. This session centers our Black and African-American learners and employees at UCSF in honor of Black History Month.  
  • Wednesday, March 1st @ Mission Bay - 550 East Gene Friend Way,  San Francisco, CA 94158 
  • Wednesday, April 5th @  Office of Diversity & Outreach Resource Centers - 500 Parnassus Avenue, Millberry Union 102W
  • Wednesday, May 3rd @ Mission Bay - 550 East Gene Friend Way,  San Francisco, CA 94158 

RSVP


Heart Heatlhy Friday - Zumba Fitness

Friday, February 3 | 12 pm - 1 pm 

Ida's Cafe, 2356 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94115

Join us to get your body moving and share the joy of dancing in community. For Black women and gender expansive individuals.Led by Zumba Instructor Judy Young.

Sponsored by the UCSF Black Women's Health and Livelihood Initiative

Register


BCH Town Hall - Black History Month

Tuesday, February 7 | 12 pm - 1 pm (postponed, to be rescheduled)

The UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals will focus on Black History Month during the February town hall meeting. 

Presenters: 

  • DEI/AR Council
  • BCH Black Caucus
  • Miller Davis Jenkins Society
  • Center for Child & Community Health/Brilliant Black Babies

Zoom


"5x No More: Centering Black Women and Birthing People to Achieve Perinatal Health Equity" - Presented by Kortney James

Tuesday, February 7 | 1 pm - 2 pm 

Please join the Nancy Steiger Research Seminar Series with featured speaker Kortney James on Feb. 7, 1-2 p.m., in the School of Nursing Building. A reception will follow.

This event is open to the UCSF community. Please register in advance by 5 p.m., Jan. 30, 2023. Registrants will receive an email confirmation with more details about the event location and instructions on completing the required UCSF Daily Screener. 


Black Voices Series Presentation

Wednesday, February 8 | 11 am - 12 pm 

UCSF's Talent Acquisition Black Workgroup is presenting a series of discussions called Black Voices. In this first session, the panelists will discuss: working at UCSF, career opportunities, community partnership/ workforce development.

Panelists:

  • Portia Jackson - Facilitator/Talent Partner
  • Autumn Huffman - Facilitator/Talent Partner
  • Marisa Howlette - Talent Partner
  • Jessica Levy - Talent Partner
  • Edrick McKnight - Talent Partner
  • Michelle Graves - Talent Partner
  • Regina Steed - Talent Sourcer
  • Erin Smith - Talent Partner
  • Milton Wynn - Talent Partner
  • Lesley Ellis - Talent Manager

Register


Black Feminist Healing Arts Communiversity Course

#BlackFeministHealingArts: Radical Black Feminist Approaches to Integrative Health & Healing is a UCSF course hosted in partnership with UCSF REPAIR and Black Womxn Healing 

A UCSF GRADUATE COURSE / FREE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM open to all students and community members, but Black women not affiliated with any university are especially encouraged to apply!!!

To view the syllabus and learn more about the course, visit  blackwomxnhealing.com/ucsfblackfeministhealingarts.

Please submit your application no later than Feb. 15th, 2023 (11:59pm, PST). 

Application


 

Webinar: Black Adolescent Health

Wednedsay, February 15 | 6:30 pm

Chappell-Hayes Health Center and YU/Castlemont School Based Health Center Health Education team members are partnering with our Youth Wellness Advisory Board to provide a webinar on Black Adolescent Health on February 15 at 6:30pm. The webinar is for parents/caregivers, teachers and students who attend McClymonds and/or Castlemont High School. We are looking forward to a conversation between health providers and youth wellness advisory board members on ways to promote the health and well-being of Black adolescents during these times. - SaunToy 


"Thriving While Surviving" Lecture with Dante King, MEd

Thursday, February 16 | 12 pm - 1:30 pm

Register              

Join the stream for the Q&A here.


Museum of the African Diaspora

Saturday, February 18 | 12 pm 

FREE - limited tickets available 

The UCSF Multicultural Resource Center is sponsoring a limited amount of tickets for members of UCSF to engage in community & cultural institutions to build awareness and understanding.

The Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD), a contemporary art museum, celebrates Black cultures, ignites challenging conversations, and inspires learning through the global lens of the African Diaspora.

RSVP


A Conversation on Black Advancement at BCH 

Join for an open conversation on Black advancement at Benioff Children's Hospitals. There are two separate conversations scheduled, both will be on Zoom.

Tuesday, February 21 | 12:10 pm - 1 pm

Moderator: Julius Oates, MD, Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology

Panelists: 
  • Vanessa Roshell-Stacks, MHA, Vice President of Ancillary and Support Services 
  • Lee Atkinson-McEvoy, MD, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Chief Division of General Pediatrics

    Regional Executive Medical Director San Mateo, UCSF Health

recording

Friday, February 24 | 12:10 pm - 1 pm

Moderator: Marsha Treadwell, PhD, DEI/AR Co-Chair BCH Oakland, Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, UCSF School of Medicine, Jordan Fund Endowed Chair, Department of Hematology/Oncology

Panelists: 

  • Tonia Suber Allen, sHRBP, Phd(c), Chief People Officer/VP, People & Culture
  • Brandie Hollinger, MSN, RN, Unit Director PICU, Co-Chair BCH Diversity Equity Inclusion and Anti-Racism Council

RECORDING

 


Fireside Chat: Jasmine Lamitte, author of the Black Mental Health Workbook

Thursday, February 23 | 1 pm 

The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC), Office of Diversity and Outreach presents a Fireside Chat with the author of the Black Mental Health Workbook with Jasmine Lamitte. This event is part of Black History Month 2023 at UCSF.

The conversation will be moderated by Klint Jaramillo, MEd,MSW- LGBT and Multicultural Resource Center Director.

Register


CLCA Celebrates Black History Month

Thursday, February 23 | 1:10 pm - 2 pm

Join us for a special installment of our Cafecito series in honor of Black History Month. We’ll be joined by Roberto Ariel Vargas, MPH, who will lead an introductory conversation on how La Raza is descended from Africans and the impact of the African Diaspora on Latin America. They will share with our community other stories of Black-Brown unity. Our goal is to highlight the connective tissue between these communities and help foster a stronger sense of understanding and responsibility when it comes to anti-Black racism at UCSF, and beyond.

Register


31st Annual Black Heritage Gala

Saturday, February 25 | 6 pm - 10 pm
Hyatt Regency Embarcadero 
5 Embarcadero Center

San Francisco, CA 94102

No Host Cocktail Hour | Seated Dinner with Wine | Community Building | Dancing

See video on Instagram

 

BLACK ADVANCEMENT AT UCSF AND UCSF BCH

BCH Black Caucus

The group serves as a resource for advancing the social and cultural growth among African American care providers and staff through outreach, mentoring, networking, community service, and enrichment activities. Stephanie Brown and Abdur Shemsu are the co-chairs. BCH Black Caucus meets on the 4th Thursdays of the month at 4 pm - 5 pm.

Why is there a need for BCH Black Caucus?

Founded in 1968, The Black Caucus serves as an instrument of change, community building, and professional support. As the oldest culturally-based affinity group in the UC System, the Black Caucus is built on a foundation of social justice advocacy. During the Civil Rights Movement Black workers at UCSF, known as the "basement people" because of their disparate working conditions, went on strike to advocate for change. The Janitors Strike at UCSF was the catalyst for institutional change that resulted in recruitment and retention efforts for historically underrepresented students, faculty, and staff. Current leaders of the Black Caucus strive to uphold the legacy of our founding members. 

The BCH (Benioff Children’s Hospital) Black Caucus is a combined Oakland/San Francisco chapter of the larger UCSF Black Caucus established in 1968 from the direct action of UCSF staff who advocated for change. Our BCH Black Caucus was formed in 2020 by Stephanie Brown and Abdur Shemsu, for the same reason. 

What do you want to accomplish with BCH Black Caucus?

The mission of the BCH Black Caucus- Oakland/San Francisco is to help foster a hospital climate and culture of unity, equity, and inclusion. The group serves as a resource for advancing the social and cultural growth among African American care providers and staff through outreach, mentoring, networking, community service, and enrichment activities. We work in collaboration with our counterparts in San Francisco, hospital leadership, the BCH DEI/AR Council and other affinity groups.


Miller-Davis-Jenkins Society

Founded in 2020, MDJS seeks to foster community, support mentorship and boost academic success for Black and African American Students, Residents, Fellows and Faculty with a focus on the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. Taron Davis, MD and Julius Oatts, MD, are the co-chairs.

Why is there a need for MDJS?  

The Miller-Davis-Jenkins Society (MDJS) was formed to create a community for Black/African American faculty within the Benioff Children’s Hospital system. The number of Black/African American faculty members at UCSF is significantly lower than the number in the communities we serve. This organization was created to foster professional connections, partner with and support each other in our academic work, provide mentorship, and to enhance the recruitment and retention of Black/African American faculty.

What do you want to accomplish with MDJS?  

MDJS hopes to engage with the broader UCSF and BCH communities to facilitate and support the recruitment and retention of Black/African American faculty and synergistically engage with broader diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and anti-racism initiatives.

 


 

BLACK ADVANCEMENT IN THE BAY AREA

HOUSING

  • Community Housing Development Corporation - CHDC provides a broad range of affordable housing opportunities and services to enable low/moderate income residents to gain better housing and financial stability. Our unique approach to community development engages residents at the grassroots level and ensures that the whole neighborhood benefits from the affordable housing and neighborhood services provided.
  • Our America: Lowballed - A special ABC News documentary on the discrimination in the home appraisal process,following Black and Latino families as they fight for fair home values after lower than expected appraisals.

CAREER PIPELINE

  • The Hidden Genius Project, a national nonprofit organization, was founded in Oakland in 2012 by five Black male entrepreneurs/technologists who were unnerved by the dramatic juxtaposition between the high unemployment of Black male youth and the plethora of career opportunities within the local technology sector. To address this challenge, the founders established a program to connect young Black males with the skills, mentors, and experiences that they need to become high-performing entrepreneurs and technologists in a 21st century, global economy.
  • Solar Richmond’s mission is to empower people to effectively participate in the green economy and advocate for policy that will stall climate change through vocational training and leadership development. We envision that communities across Richmond and the greater Bay Area are thriving, healthy, and are an integral part of the green economy without barriers of race or class.
  • The Cypress Mandela Training Center is a community based organization dedicated to improving the lives of the people it serves by providing pre-apprentice construction and life skills training along with employment assistance.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

  • Roots Community Health Center - Founded in Oakland, California, the mission of Roots Community Health Center is to uplift those impacted by systemic inequities and poverty. We accomplish this through medical and behavioral health care, health navigation, workforce enterprises, housing, outreach, and advocacy. 
  • The People’s Community Mobile Health Clinic is tasked with bringing free healthcare directly to the people of Oakland. They are currently seeking the support of Black health practitioners. 
  • In 2020, Umoja Health was conceived by and out of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center’s (HDFCCC) Community Advisory Board (CAB). Umoja Health Partners are Community Coalitions initially formed to address the COVID-19 and health-related needs of underserved communities of color in the Bay Area. After taking on COVID-19 testing and vaccination under a new model of community led care delivery, we are expanding our scope to address the burden of cancer, other chronic diseases and unmet social needs that have left communities of color especially vulnerable during the pandemic.
  • Black Doc Village - We are a community committed to actively supporting and advocating for Black trainees and physicians facing workplace discrimination. Our mission is to expand the Black physician workforce to improve health outcomes in the Black community.
  •  The African American Wellness Project was organized to respond to inequities in the health care delivery system. African Americans suffer from health conditions  ealth conditions at a disproportionately higher rate and need to know how to organize their health care delivery options in a way that allows them to best utilize health care services.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

  • Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation aims to preserve and promulgate the history, ideals and legacy of the Black Panther Party and its founder Dr. Huey P. Newton. Over 25 years since the founding of the Foundation, we have a new public history vision that includes a monument, pop-up exhibit, and museum all dedicated to the Black Panther Party. We are bringing the Panther legacy to the people while carving out a permanent space for our history in Oakland.
  • HipHopForChange, Inc. uses grassroots activism to educate people about socio-economic injustices and advocate solutions through Hip Hop culture. We raise funds for local causes that enrich marginalized and historically oppressed communities.
  • Brotherhood of Elders Network is an intergenerational network of men of African ancestry who foster environments where Black boys and young men are emplowered to flourish
  • The Black Organizing Project creates safe Black spaces for our community to come together and identify the assets and issues that impact our communities the most. The practice of healing starts with being able to struggle together. In 2020, we successfully eliminated the Oakland Unified School District’s internal police department.
  • The California Black Freedom Fund is a five-year, $100 million initiative to ensure that Black power-building and movement-based organizations have the sustained investments and resources they need to eradicate systemic and institutional racism. The first state-based fund of its kind, the California Black Freedom Fund prioritizes investments in the courageous and visionary grassroots advocates and community leaders who are transforming our cities, our state -- and our world.