Dean of the UC Berkeley School of Journalism Michael D. Bolden, M.A., for a lunchtime event focused on the legacy of Black press and media in the U.S. on Feb. 10.

February is Black History Month, and the UCOP Black Staff and Faculty Organization (BSFO) is marking the occasion with events based around the theme, “A Century of Celebration – Honoring Our History.”

BSFO members have planned several events to recognize Black History Month throughout February, and all colleagues are invited and encouraged to attend — pre-registration is not required. Bring a friend and join us!

Also, be sure to stop by the BSFO Black History Month display table in the main lobby of the Franklin building anytime this month to check out the poster and take a moment to reflect, learn and celebrate.

BSFO 2026 Black History Month events

“Hoops, Hopes & Dreams” Brown Bag Watch Party and Discussion
Tuesday, Feb. 3, 12 – 1 p.m.
Oakland: Franklin Lobby 2 or join the watch party Zoom
BSFO is kicking things off this Tuesday with a powerful and inspiring video presentation, “Hoops, Hopes & Dreams”— a short film about how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a team of civil rights activists took to basketball courts to connect with young voters, and how their strategy echoed in politics through President Obama’s historic campaign. You can watch the official trailer here. This is a conversation you don’t want to miss — celebrating leadership, resilience and the ongoing impact of the Civil Rights Movement. Please bring your own lunch. Download the watch party flier (PDF).

The Legacy of Black Press and Media
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 12 – 1 p.m.
Join the Black press event Zoom
Special guest speaker Michael D. Bolden, M.A., dean of the UC Berkeley School of Journalism, will lead this lunchtime event focused on the legacy of Black press and media in the United States. Download the Black press flyer (PDF).

BSFO Virtual Meditation Sessions
Tuesday, Feb. 17 + Tuesday, Feb. 24, 9 – 9:30 a.m.
Join the meditation sessions Zoom
Tune into two special Black History Month meditation sessions led by LeNaya Smith Crawford, The Holistic MFT. LeNaya is a licensed marriage and family therapist, holistic healer, wellness expert and entrepreneur who earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Spelman College and her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy with a certification in trauma therapy.

African-American Studies Photo Experience
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 12 – 1 p.m.
Join the photo experience Zoom
Explore the connections between photography and the African-American experience during a special event featuring Leigh Raiford, Ph.D., professor of African American Studies at UC Berkeley and the inaugural director of the Black Studies Collaboratory, a three-year project funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Raiford will discuss her research on race, gender, justice and visuality.

Black History at Cal – Notable Moments & People
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 12 – 1 p.m.
Join the Cal event Zoom
Learn about UC Berkeley’s significant Black history, including notable moments and people. Special guest speakers Michele McKenzie, social and cultural studies librarian for UC Berkeley Library and liaison for Anthropology, Linguistics, African and African American and African Diaspora Studies, and Gia White, administrative director of the Institute of European Studies and the Institute of Global, International and Area Studies at UC Berkeley, will lead the discussion.

For event questions, please contact Joyce Price and Roni Wilson.

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