In 2025 we celebrate Black History Month with a theme of African Americans and Labor.
The 2025 Black History Month theme, African Americans and Labor, focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people. Indeed, work is at the very center of much of Black history and culture. Be it the traditional agricultural labor of enslaved Africans that fed Low Country colonies, debates among Black educators on the importance of vocational training, self-help strategies and entrepreneurship in Black communities, or organized labor’s role in fighting both economic and social injustice, Black people’s work has been transformational throughout the U.S., Africa, and the Diaspora. The 2025 Black History Month theme, “African Americans and Labor,” sets out to highlight and celebrate the potent impact of this work.
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:
Additional Black History Month events are listed at the Multicultural Resource Center.
UCSF EVENTS
BCH Grand Rounds - BLOOM: Black Love, Opportunity and Outcome Improvement in Medicine
February 4, 2025 | 8 am - 9 am
Zoom Only. Contact [email protected] for log-in information
Presented by: Dayna Long, MD and Javay Ross, MD – Co-Directors of BLOOM
Planners expect learners to:
1. Recognize health disparities for Black babies by analyzing data and exploring contributing factors & systemic inequities these disparities.
2. Examine ongoing research initiatives and evidence-based findings within the BLOOM program.
3. Describe the benefits of multidisciplinary teams in improving family-centered care.
BCH Grand Rounds: Black Womxn's Lives Matter
February 11, 2025 | 8 am - 9 am
Zoom Only. Contact [email protected] for log-in information
Presented by:
Katherine Brown, MD, MAS
Assistant Professor
Co-director, Black Womxn's Health & Livelihood Initiative
Fishbon Endowed Chair in Family Planning and Abortion at UCSF Mount Zion
University of California San Franciso
Judy Young, MPH
Executive Director, UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health
Co-Director, UCSF Black Womxn’s Health & Livelihood Initiative
University of California San Franciso
Planners expect learners to:
1. Review the state of Black womxn’s health and the context of Black women in the history of obstetrics and gynecology.
2. Explain the value of a patient advocate for Black patients.
3. Explain the importance of patient voices and patient leadership.
Black History Month Community Gathering: The Cookout
Thursday, February 13, 2025 | 5 pm - 7 pm
Clinical Sciences 0101, Parnassus
Please join the Multicultural Resource Center for a community gathering centering joy and connection. Food will be provided by Blackberry Soul Fine Catering. Come by and gather with music, games, fun, and connection. All UCSF learners, faculty, and staff are welcome to participate.
BCH Grand Rounds - Leaning into Health Equity: Alameda County’s Maternal, Paternal, Child and Adolescent Health Unit’s Programs and Initiatives
February 18, 2025 | 8 am - 9 am
Zoom Only. Contact [email protected] for log-in information
Presented by: Jill Miller, Psy.D Family Health Services, Interim Deputy Division Director,Public Health Department, Alameda County Health; Dana Cruz Santana, MSW, MPH, Administrator & Healthy Start Director, Public Health Department, Alameda County Health; and Daphina Melbourne, MPP, Perinatal and Reproductive Equity Coordinator
Public Health Department, Alameda County Health
Planners expect learners to:
1. Describe at least one key initiative, offered or promoted by Alameda County Public Health Department’s Maternal, Paternal, Child and Adolescent Health Unit, which addresses health disparities within Black/African American birthing individuals and families through culturally responsive care.
2. Promote father involvement to foster positive father-child relationships and enhance overall family well-being.
3. Incorporate community-based resources into care that supports holistic family well-being.
4. Identify the role of healthcare providers in mitigating health disparities through self-awareness and culturally responsive care.
Intersectionality and Health Equity in the Black Community
Wednesday, February 19th, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Hybrid, Rutter Center, Fisher Banquet Room, Mission Bay Campus and Zoom
RSVP kindly requested: tiny.ucsf.edu/BHMHealthEquityPanel
Please join the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, in collaboration with the UCSF Black Caucus and the Multicultural Resource Center, at our Black History Month panel discussion titled Intersectionality and Health Equity in the Black Community. This discussion aims to deepen our understanding of the complex issues affecting the Black community and to explore initiatives that promote health equity.
Panelists will include:
- Dr. Renee Navarro, PharmD, MD, Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Outreach
- Judy Young, MPH, Executive Director at the UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health
- Dr. Jonathan Butler, Ph.D, Associate Director of BHI, Family Community Medicine
Moderated by: Carroll Schreibman, Associate Chair of Finance & Administration for the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care.
33rd Annual Black Heritage Month Gala
Saturday, February 22, 2025 | 6 pm - 10 pm
Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square
Sponsored by the Black Caucus at UCSF, the gala promises to be an evening filled with cultural richness, community bonding, and joyous celebration. This event serves not only as a commemoration of our heritage and accomplishment each year but also as a testament to the strides we have made together in advancing equity across UCSF and the broader UC System.
In support of this event, we are offering sponsorship opportunities through the purchase of tables at $3,500 each. This contribution will directly support our ongoing initiatives and help in realizing our shared values.
Additionally, we are accepting donations for the Black Caucus Vivian T. Thomas Scholarship, which plays a crucial role in supporting high school seniors in disadvantaged / disinvested communities in San Francisco and Alameda counties with their continued education goals.
Black Joy Parade
Sunday, February 23, 2025 | 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
14th St & Franklin St, Oakland, CA 94612
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals is excited to announce its participation in the 8th annual Oakland Black Joy Parade. We invite everyone to join us and proudly represent BCH during the parade portion of the event. The Black Joy Parade exists to provide the Black community and allies a live experience that celebrates the community’s influence on cultures past, present and future. Join us on Sunday, February 23 (Parade begins at 12:30 p.m.) in Downtown Oakland.
BCH Grand Rounds: UCSF Health Equity Journey & Health Equity Division Overview
February 25, 2025 | 8 am - 9 am
Zoom Only. Contact [email protected] for log-in information
Presented by: Malcolm John, MD, MPH, Medical Director for Health Equity, UCSF Health, Co-Chair, Health Equity Council at UCSF Health, Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, UCSF Department of Medicine
Planners expect learners to:
1. Identify the impact of health care equity, that is more immediately under our purview, on achieving optimal health outcomes for our patients.
2. Apply an equity lens to developing questions related to their patient’s health and related countermeasures.
3. Identify different ways of assessing the impact of health disparities reduction efforts.
BHM Lecture with Honey Mahogany: The Black Trans Experience in San Francisco
Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 | 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Hybrid, Byers Auditorium, Genentech Hall, Mission Bay Campus and Zoom
RSVP kindly requested: tiny.ucsf.edu/BHMLecture
Please join the LGBTQ+ and Multicultural Resource Centers in welcoming Honey Mahogany, Director of the Office for Trans Initiatives for the City and County of San Francisco and Co-Founder of San Francisco’s Transgender District to campus to talk about her life, career trajectory, and starting San Francisco’s Transgender District, the first legally recognized transgender district in the world.
UCSF endeavors to create greater understanding and supports the exchange of diverse ideas. Views and opinions of guest speakers on campus are their own and may not reflect the perspective of the University.
BHM We Belong Initiative Panel
Date: Friday, February 28, 2025 | 12:10 pm - 1 pm
Location: Zoom Meeting
Please join the BCH DEI/AR Council in celebrating Black History Month with a special panel discussion on the We Belong Initiative, which focuses on recruiting and retaining BIPOC nurses at UCSF to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Panelists:
- Areon Williams, MSN, RN, PHN, NEA-BC, Float Pool Nurse Manager
- Brandie Hollinger-Quao, MSN, RN, We Belong Co-Chair
- Karen Jennings, DNP, RN, FNP, NE-BC, Director of Acute Care Nursing
- Inder Narula, Emergency Outreach Educator
- Aine Sands, Lead Talent Acquisition Partner
BLACK INITIATIVES AT BENIOFF CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS
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. Abdur Shemsu is the chair. BCH Black Caucus meets on the 4th Thursdays of the month at 4 pm - 5 pm.
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.
BLOOM: Black Love Opportunity and Outcome Improvement in Medicine
BLOOM is a space where Black babies and families are seen by racially concordant providers who understand and share their lived experiences. These families have access to world-class health care; receive screening for traumatic experiences and mental health wellness; connect with services that address unmet needs; receive financial assistance to establish college savings accounts; and benefit from lactation support and post-natal nutrition, among other services.
This is a groundbreaking effort. There is nothing comparable to this initiative in the United States. With the launch of BLOOM, we are building a model for Black pediatric primary care that can be replicated across the country.
Read more infomation on Bloom: Black Love Opportunity and Outcome Improvement in Medicine
BLACK PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES AT UCSF
- UCSF Black Caucus
- Black Health Initiative
- Black Leadership Advisory Council
- Black Women's Health
- Black Women's Health and Livelihood Initiative
- EMBRACE: Perinatal Care for Black Families
- Black Excellence in STEM
- Resilient Teens & Black Baby Equity Project, UCSF
- Black Economic Equity Movement
- Men of Color Program and Black Health Center of Excellence
- Student National Medical Association
AFRICAN AMERICANS AND LABOR VIDEOS