Students sit huddled on couches in a dark room, red light pinging off the brass of a saxophone as a steady baseline echoes from the double bass. Drums couple with warm piano chords, leading the way for the blaring sax. This was the scene as students gathered in the Black Bruin Resource Center for Black Wednesday, a tradition started by the Afrikan Student Union at UCLA in the early nineties.
Started as a way to celebrate culture and foster the Black community on campus, events like this continue to unite students decades later. Joined for a night of live jazz and performances, dozens of people bustled into the BBRC, many there for different reasons. Some students expressed that they try to make an effort to engage with events held on campus by Black organizations as a way to further connect with their peers. Others, many of whom were transfers and freshmen, attended as an opportunity to become more involved with the Black community at UCLA and better acclimate to such a large environment.
Janiyah Williams, a third-year transfer student, said the BBRC was the first place she felt comfortable being herself on campus. Spaces like Black Wednesday are crucial for Black students at UCLA. At an institution where we make up less than 7% of the undergraduate population, it’s easy to feel alone and disconnected from the community.
We asked some students what they believe should be done to continue making spaces for Black students on campus. Many said events like movie nights, tailgates, and speaker sessions hosted by numerous Black organizations at UCLA have provided opportunities for them to connect with peers and find a sense of community. Others expressed that they often don’t know where to look for events or find fellow Black Bruins. Listed below are some orgs that prioritize uniting Black students on campus.
By attending events like Black Wednesday and utilizing spaces like the BBRC, students can better connect with the Black community at UCLA. Gathered for a night of jazz and camaraderie, students found a space to be themselves and meet fellow Black Bruins. We can’t wait to see what the next Black Wednesday has in store.
Resources:
@blackbruins
@uclabbrc
@uclablack365
@houseofbruin
@aacsatucla
@ucla.cod
@uclaeastafricans
@csaucla
@harambeeucla
@nsa.ucla
@culturalaffairs