Campus Groups Mark Black History Month
Black History Month in February is a chance for the UCSF community to highlight the contributions of African-American and black-identified individuals, to bring medical services to underserved area, and to foster discussions about justice and inequality.
The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC), the Office of Diversity, the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), and others are sponsoring events commemorating Black History Month, from photo installations to community outreach programs. Here is a roundup of the month’s top events:
Prep School Negro - film screening and director discussion
February 6, 5:15-7 p.m., Cole Hall, Parnassus
The UCSF LGBT Resource Center and the UCSF Multicultural Resource Center will screen the documentary, Prep School Negro. Documentary director Andre Robert Lee reflects on his adolescence in Philadelphia, where a scholarship to an elite private school changed his life in unpredictable ways. The film also highlights the experience of students of color in the present day who face the challenges and contradictions of prep school life. A Q&A session with director will follow the screening. Open to the entire UCSF community.
Black History Month Celebration – reception
February 13, 3 – 5 p.m., Lange Reading Room, Parnassus. RSVP required.
The UCSF Office of Diversity will host a Black History Month Celebration honoring Michael A. LeNoir, MD, president of the National Medical Association, and the Physicians Medical Forum for their continued support of UCSF faculty, students and trainees. RSVP is required by February 11. For more details visit http://diversity.ucsf.edu/node/3296451.
Cracking the Codes – film screening and discussion
February 19, 5:15-7 p.m., Toland Hall, Parnassus
The MRC promotes a campus culture of inclusion and equity, cultural competency and interprofessional collaboration, and supports the recruitment and retention of diverse faculty, staff, students and trainees. The Center will host a screening and discussion of the film, which is a powerful exploration of systemic inequity and racial justice. See http://crackingthecodes.org/ for more.
Hypertension Sunday – volunteer event
February 22, all day, Oakland sites
SNMA members from UCSF, UC-Davis, and Stanford, along with interested classmates will work with physicians and high school volunteers to provide blood pressure screenings at church sites around Oakland. Typically, at least 25 students from UCSF participate in this activity. This event is an opportunity for students to both serve the community directly and to network with each other and physicians of color. For more information, contact Daniela.Brissett@uscsf.edu.
Karen Pierce: The African American Experience in Bayview-Hunters Point – lunch discussion February 27, 12:10-1 p.m., HSW-302, Parnassus
The SNMA UCSF chapter presents a lunch discussion with Karen Pierce, a formidable local community activist, lawyer, and environmental health specialist. The discussion will give current and future clinicians insight into the physical environment, beliefs and lives of members of the African-American community in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. Contact Sidra.Bonner@ucsf.edu for more information.
Dream. Fight. Progress – performing arts
February 27, 6-8 p.m.,Cole Hall, Parnassus
In a new event this year, the Student National Dental Association will be co-sponsoring a night of performances with other campus minority organizations. The evening will include food, drinks, motivational speakers, spoken word, performances and poetry. Contact Eric.Brown@ucsf.edu for more information.
Black Wednesdays – community event
Wednesdays in February, all campuses
UCSF students are spearheading “Black Wednesdays” to encourage the visibility of underrepresented minorities on campus and in medicine. On the second, third, and fourth Wednesdays of February, students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to wear black shirts to show solidarity with underrepresented groups. Please contact Jordan.Handcox@ucsf.edu for more information.
Visibility Installation – photo installation
Throughout February, MRC, MU123W
The MRC will be kicking-off a photographic installation at the beginning of February, titled the Visibility Installation. Made up of photos of African, African-American, and Black-identified students and others at UCSF, it will be on display throughout Black History Month.
