Stories that celebrate Black History Month at UCLA

Watch: UCLA women lead change in science, advocacy and storytelling

Dean Tracy Johnson in a floral blazer, Professor Gina Poe in a green sleeveless dress with long gray hair, and Bruin alumna Bridgid Coulter Cheadle in a plaid blazer, posing together outdoors against a lush green backdrop at a panel discussion on diversity.

Dean Tracy Johnson and Professor Gina Poe joined Bruin alumna Bridgid Coulter Cheadle for a panel discussion exploring the importance of diversity and community-building in science and storytelling. Their conversation was the inaugural installment of the event series “Breaking Barriers: Conversations on Leading Change in Science, Advocacy and Storytelling,” hosted at Coulter Cheadle’s Blackbird Collective flagship location in Culver City.

Watch a clip from the event and learn more about their leadership from UCLA Newsroom

Listen: Kimberlé Crenshaw on preserving African American history

Kimberle Crenshaw speaking on stage at BruinTalks, wearing a beige blazer against a blue background.

In this two-part episode of her podcast, UCLA professor and renowned advocate and scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw, who spoke at last year’s BruinTalks, discusses the role of museums in shaping national identity and the importance of protecting Black American history.

Listen to this episode and more from Intersectionality Matters!

Watch: Cosmo Whyte explores his Caribbean roots through art

A portrait of Cosmo Whyte, UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture assistant professor, wearing a denim shirt with his hair in locs, standing before two artworks: a colorful pixelated painting on the left and a black-and-white figurative photograph on the right.

Cosmo Whyte, an assistant professor at the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture, draws on his Caribbean background using both materials and imagery shaped by his personal history. In a recent lecture series, Whyte discusses how his work examines the experiences of Black diasporic and migrant communities, exploring questions of belonging, movement and identity.

Listen to Whyte discuss these themes and more from the Hammer Museum at UCLA

Explore: Ralph J. Bunche Papers collection

Two historical photos from the Ralph J. Bunche Papers collection: a graduation portrait on the left and an action photo of Bunche playing basketball on the right.

Among the thousands of records in UCLA Library’s Special Collections are the papers of UCLA alumnus Ralph J. Bunche, the only Bruin to ever be honored with the Nobel Peace Prize. The Bunche papers span World War II, the creation of the United Nations and the Civil Rights Movement. The collection includes much of his correspondence with Martin Luther King Jr., as well as writings expressing Bunche’s thoughts following King’s death.

Visit the online digital archive of Bunche from the UCLA Library

Watch: The triumph of Arthur Ashe

An animated illustration of Arthur Ashe raising a trophy overhead, depicting his 1975 Wimbledon victory.

Relive the story of Arthur Ashe, whose victory in a 1975 all-Bruin final led him to become the first and only Black man to win the Wimbledon men’s singles trophy.

Watch Ashe’s victory on the court through an animated documentary from UCLA Magazine

Listen: UCLA partners with the Black Art Conservators group to uplift the preservation of real Black voices, stories

A collage featuring a portrait of a smiling woman alongside smaller images of people engaged in archival and museum work.

Made possible through a UCLA Racial and Social Justice Seed Grant, the “Preservation of the People” podcast was launched by Anya Dani, director of community engagement and inclusive practice at the UCLA/Getty program, and UCLA professor and archaeologist Justin Dunnavant. The series provides a platform for urgent conversations that too often remain unheard in a predominantly white profession. The podcast is also supported by the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA.

Listen to a discussion from the podcast about the role of everyday objects, experiences and practices in Black culture

Read: Meet the Bruin solar physicist making sure space is for everyone

Brandon Lazard, UCLA geophysics and space physics master's graduate, posed with hands on cheeks against a space-themed background with an astronaut silhouette.

Brandon Lazard, who recently completed a master’s program in geophysics and space physics within the UCLA College, hopes to become an astronaut, as well as a trailblazer in advocacy and social justice.

Read: From UCLA Law to Forbes ‘30 Under 30’

Omarr Rambert, UCLA Law graduate and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, seated at a desk in an emotional moment, covering his mouth with his hand while a woman beside him places a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Omarr Rambert, a graduate of UCLA Law, joins the Forbes ‘30 Under 30’ list in the Hollywood and Entertainment category. During his time at UCLA, Rambert specialized in entertainment law, served as an editor of the UCLA Law Review and the National Black Law Journal, and was social chair of the Black Law Students Association. Following his J.D. program at UCLA, Rambert became a major source of online inspiration after a video of him celebrating with his family after passing the California Bar Exam went viral.

Read: Jordan Chiles reflects on competing in ABC’s ‘Dancing With the Stars’

A portrait of Jordan Chiles in a teal sequined gown for ABC's Dancing With the Stars.

ABC

Between the academic demands of senior year, gymnastics and dance practice — plus being on set — fall 2025 was a busier time than usual for Jordan Chiles. Hear from the Bruin about how she juggled it all while participating in the 34th season of the prime-time show.

Read: New book by UCLA professor explores Michael Jordan’s legacy

Adam Bradley, UCLA professor of English and African American studies, holding a photograph of a basketball player in a gym setting.

Adam Bradley, a professor of English and African American studies, is the author behind the recently released coffee table reader “Air Jordan,” a volume exploring Jordan’s life, legacy and cultural influence. The text reflects Bradley’s expertise not only as a chronicler of American popular culture but also as a leading scholar of hip hop.

Read: How one student is using his U.S. Air Force experience and UCLA education to drive change in his home country

Prince Larmie Jarbo, wearing a UCLA jacket, smiling while seated with two fellow students at a campus table with a laptop.

Liberia-born Prince Larmie Jarbo has brought a unique global perspective to the classroom during his studies within the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. He has also demonstrated a passion for helping develop the next generation of leaders and changemakers in his home country.