Dear Campus Community,
Across the United States, throughout the month of February, we come together to celebrate Black History Month and reflect on the history, struggles, triumphs, achievements, and innovations of African Americans. This year is especially important because it marks the 400th anniversary of the arrival of enslaved Africans in the English colonies at Point Comfort, Virginia, in 1619.
With broad, bipartisan support, the “400 Years of African American History Commission Act” became law on January 8, 2018, and asks our nation and its institutions to:
- plan programs to study and acknowledge the impact of slavery on the United States, as well as those laws that enforced racial discrimination;
- encourage civic, patriotic, historical, educational, artistic, religious, and economic organizations to organize and participate in anniversary activities;
- assist states, localities, and nonprofit organizations to further the commemoration; and
- coordinate scholarly research on the arrival of Africans in the United States and their contributions to this country in order to educate and inform the American public.
African Americans have pioneered change and pursued justice for all, through advocacy, activism, scholarly study, and sacrificed lives. African Americans contribute to and enrich every community and field of study, including science, engineering, math, arts, humanities, health, sports and entertainment. As we celebrate Black History Month and countless African American historical figures, we must also honor the extraordinary individuals, groups and organizations on our campus that facilitate and advocate for meaningful change, each representing and embodying African American excellence in their own way.
We celebrate every African American student admitted to UC Berkeley - past and present - who applied and was admitted on the merits of their work.
We celebrate our more than two dozen Black student organizations including the Black Student Union (BSU) and the Black Recruitment and Retention Center, both organizations of strong advocacy and activism for changes in campus policies and practices that are helping to improve the African American experience on our campus. It is in large part through their efforts that the Fannie Lou Hamer Black Resource Center was established and became a vibrant hub of resources designed to support the academic, social, emotional, and well-being of Black students, yet open to all.
We celebrate our Black Staff & Faculty Organization (BSFO) that, since 1979, has held our University accountable and responsible for ensuring that the experiences and contributions of our Black employees and faculty are recognized and honored. We also honor BSFO’s commitment to professional development, well-being, social advocacy, networking/community building, and staff recognition focused on supporting the career mobility of its members.
We celebrate the 30th anniversary of the African American Student Development Office, which advances the university’s mission to support, develop, and grow African American student leaders on the Berkeley campus.
We celebrate the African American Studies & African Diaspora Studies Department, which demonstrates relentless commitment to producing, refining, and advancing research and education of Black people in the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, and Africa.
We celebrate each and every African American faculty member for generating and sharing knowledge in their chosen fields at the highest level of scholarship.
We celebrate each and every African American student, staff, and administrator - past and present - for their contributions to the campus and for their sustained efforts to ensure that the African American Initiative is effectively implemented and supported throughout the campus.
From 400 years ago to today, the African American journey has been one of strength, courage, excellence, and resilience. During this special anniversary year we invite you to take time to pay homage to our African ancestors who shaped the foundations of this country.
We encourage you to take advantage of the planned events and resources across campus throughout the month and year including those hosted by the Fannie Lou Hamer Black Resource Center, African American Student Development Office, Department of African American Studies & African Diaspora Studies, Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society, California Alumni Association and Black Staff & Faculty Organization (BSFO).
In partnership,
Oscar Dubón, Vice Chancellor, Equity & Inclusion
Jo Mackness, Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
