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Arts & EntertainmentBlack HistoryCulturePoetry

Generational Curses II

by Nicole Crawford 11/21/2023
written by Nicole Crawford

sacred minds can see and think in tune with the frequency that is the universe 

that is our ancestors 

that is you

that is I(eye)

and you, my dear, are of the most divine, that mind so sublime that even when you find yourself at a loss you know you are right on time… exactly where you are 

lean into the magic that is the silver line between betrayal of one’s first perceptions and freedom, that inner knowing that allows you to be in your fullest form not because you want to be but because you are aware that all of what we know is a lie, that we are still in captivity even if you like to “think” otherwise 

it is in this shared consciousness that we heal what’s unspoken  

“there is truth in your vision, it is ok to see all that you see” is what a wise man once told me 

and I believe this to be true about you and i  

however, as we hold these truths we have a great responsibility to not only build upon them and create new realities but to sit in the discomfort that it is to know that you too are responsible for this moment, here and now 

i know that the grief and loss we share are not enough to move you because you require honesty, a mirror to see that what you have lost is not another but a part of yourself, your friend, your neighbor, your elders, and the children who carry this knowledge forth into the future 

and the problem is that we always feel like we have more time to get it right but never enough for presence, and I do not blame you

they convince you that the time you have is limited and that because you are running out you must use it wisely, on things that matter…

feeding your family first and then yourself, and then those shoes and an eighth because we might as well be high if we’re in hell…

and a drink too because you deserve it, but never enjoy it for too long because you do have work in the morning and bills to pay and something will come up 

and you must be on your best behavior if you want to treat yourself again next week(end) 

and so the cycle repeats

until you realize that the time they claim you are losing was already taken from you when they stripped you of your connections to the soils that brought you into existence and made you into the being whose heart aches in this sea of loss and destruction because we have indeed drifted so far from home, that at times it seems we may never return 

but know that this here, this presence, cannot be taken from you 

and in this serenity, we find clarity, peace, strength, and the light that guides us back home again and again

the time you lost is recovered in the history that lives inside of you

so look closely in the mirrors that surround you, into the heartbeat of this community

know you are indeed home and give thanks that these curses are broken with your power alone 

but know that this power comes from the love that surrounds you 

so let it surround you as we build our way back home

11/21/2023 0 comments
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Arts & EntertainmentBlack HistoryCulturePoetry

Generational Curses I

by Nicole Crawford 11/21/2023
written by Nicole Crawford

our elders outlive our youths

and we are left infatuated first, 

then desensitized 

to the menticide that is to see your own death replayed on big screens, on tvs, in these streets…

because when one dies, the way in which we continue cannot be the same, it is not life 

and all of this is survived just for them to tell you to move so they can wash the blood away 

this is just one way in which they pollute your mind, erase your dreams, and tear down your sky 

if you open your eyes, you now see that this game of life and death is only played for the entertainment of those who keep you in line 

because my love, that “prize” could never be yours even if your name was engraved upon it

so now you know how to die before you have learned to live 

and if accepted you are unable to recognize yourself, when you have helped an enemy, when you’ve murdered a friend… 

because there is no silver lining here, not for us; just tragedy 

and the cycle repeats… 

however, this is not an end, because it cannot be 

so the next time you want to lie down or turn your eyes 

remember that acceptance is suicide and we cannot afford to die 

not now at least 

in these times 

when our elders outlive our youths 

understand their attempts to erase you 

because even if in disbelief, you know deep down that you deserve to grow old, to live long enough to dream 

11/21/2023 0 comments
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Arts & EntertainmentCampusNews

The Bruinettes at UCLA: Bringing Danceline to UCLA

by Krystal Tome 09/16/2023
written by Krystal Tome

By: Krystal Tome and Mary Sutton

In fall of 2022, a group of Black Bruins created a danceline team at UCLA. Less than a year later, that same group would perform in front of thousands of football fans at the Rose Bowl. They are known as the Bruinettes.

Co-founders Sydney Shepherd and Daisa Watkins only recently started their sophomore year when they started building the base of the Bruinettes. To paraphrase their words, the team was created to represent the Black Bruins community on a larger platform by celebrating and highlighting danceline.

Danceline is a style of dance that is a staple of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). It originated in 1968 with the Golden Girls, the danceline team of Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi. Since then, it has expanded into Black culture and American culture in general, from film and television to viral Internet trends and iconic artists who incorporate danceline into their performances. Danceline also impacted communities on the west coast, where some predominantly white institutions (PWIs) have teams inspired by the artform. It was only a matter of time, then, that the same thing would happen to UCLA.

So, who are the Bruinettes?

The Bruinettes is composed of 10 dancers. This includes Shepherd and Watkins, as well as Jasmine Aner (the tail), Matthew Morales-Boyd, Reba Thomas, Sierra Shinn, Alexis Cohen, Zahra Umoja, co-captain Sanaa Jefferson, and captain Alex Hamilton. Although the team is very new, you might recognize some of these names from other campus activities. Aner recently became vice-president of the Afro-Latinx Connection (ALC), and Shinn is the director of the widely popular Jazz Reggae Festival. Hamilton was previously a dance captain for NSU Modern, and in addition to taking the same role in the Bruinettes, she is also the production manager for Untitled Theater Company. Other dancers are involved in similar groups, making it apparent that their love for danceline mirrors that of their love for building community.

While dancers make up the face of the Bruinettes, there are many people working behind the scenes to help them succeed. The Bruinettes Board, for example, has several committees, including a funding committee, with Troy Dyer and Trinity McGregor; the relations committee, with Awo Gulaid and Krystal Tomé; and the branding and marketing committee, with Nate Scott, and Mary Sutton. Lorraine Wangari is the president of the organization, and she makes significant contributions across all areas for the team.

There is also Coach Kayla Marie Jackson and Coach Kalé Woods, who took part in the audition process and built the team that you know today. Both are alumni of Spelman College, the widely celebrated all-women’s HBCU that is home to the collegiate danceline Mahogany N’ Motion. The coaches have prolific careers in dance and entertainment, with Jackson featuring in several major productions in film, TV, and music, and Woods uplifting communities across the country through dance education and psychotherapy. Additionally, the coaches have brought in several professionals in their field to help guide the dancers and develop their skills beyond what they already know.

As football season approaches, the Bruinettes are gearing up to make a good first impression. They previously performed at the away game against San Diego State University (SDSU), where they were positively received by fans and worked alongside the opposing team’s very own danceline, the SDSU Diamonds. Now, after a long summer of practicing dozens of routines and raising funds for the organization, their first home game performance will happen on September 16th. If you absolutely cannot make it, you should try to watch the game in any way you can. Whether you find it live streamed online, or catch a recap of the day on the Bruinettes Instagram page (@bruinettesatucla), it will be a historic event that you will not want to miss.

09/16/2023 0 comments
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Arts & EntertainmentCampusNewsSports

Getting to Candyland, Step by Step: Bruins v Sooners Round of 32

by Krystal Tome 04/13/2023
written by Krystal Tome

It’s a Monday night. The crowd is roaring.

This was an anticipated night for the UCLA Bruins, since it was the night that determined if they would make it to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in four years.

Coach Cori Close emphasized a focus on the pacing of the game against the Oklahoma Sooners. “Oklahoma is one of the most fast-paced teams. A really good offensive team…so there’s a completely different gameplan.”

All Photo Credits: Krystal Tome

Camryn Brown (#35) came into the first quarter with a momentous steal, which led to the ball falling out of bounds and being awarded to the Bruins. The first quarter set a precedent for the audience and the team—there were going to be lots of fouls. Because of the Sooners’ offense, it can be presumed that Coach Close was looking for strong defense, which led to fouls by the referees. The Bruins accumulated 18 non-foul turnovers and 29 fouls (12 being in the fourth quarter), while the Sooners’ had 26 fouls (14 in the fourth quarter).

Brown later said that the team should “[slow] down, [have] more composure” for the next game against South Carolina. “We did a really good job of speeding [Oklahoma] up, and our defense was super aggressive,” she expressed, before admitting, “I think we got a little excited after certain stops happened, and our game just sped up.”

All the fouls provided many chances for free throws. Charisma Osborne (#20) made 100% of her free throws (17-17) and Kiki Rice (#1) made 7-8 of her free throws, making this a great night for Bruins at the line. After the game, Osborne shared an anecdote about her record for making (42) free throws in a row during a practice. “One time, I was at L.A. Fitness or something with my dad… and he was like ‘okay, if you make 30 free throws, you get ice cream’ or something like that. 30 in a row. And that was the first time I ever made 30 in a row, probably the first time I ever made 10 in a row. I don’t know what happened; I flipped the switch. Since then, I’ve been pretty good at free throws.”

With this defense, and spectacular offense by Osborne with 36 points that night, the Bruins advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. This win was contested, however, with a close score of 61-59 UCLA in the last five minutes of the game. The final score of 82-73 came with the mentality of “one stop at a time, one score at a time, not thinking too far ahead,” according to Lina Sontag (#21).

This rollercoaster of a game excited a Bruin-filled crowd for what’s to come during the rest of March Madness. Women’s Sports activist and TikTok Creator Audrey DeVaughn (@audreydevaughn) shared some thoughts on the game.

“This was my first UCLA women’s basketball game. It was also [the first game for] the people who I was with… it really showed them that the product of women’s basketball is really good and I’ve been saying that.”  She then emphasizes the importance of showing up to women’s sports events. “Until you’re actually at a game it’s like, people don’t internalize it. Especially on my TikTok, a lot of people are like ‘the product’s not good’ and blah blah blah, but I’m like, have you been to a women’s basketball game? Like, no. Once you go, you can see how awesome it is.”

DeVaughn continues by name dropping the team members that she looked forward to watching most. Some of these names included “Kiki Rice, Charisma Osborne, and Gabriela Jaquez. Conti played really [well]. I felt like they worked really well together.”

“Basketball is one of the few sports that you can have different roles on the team, and still be as valuable, so I thought of that especially with Camryn Brown. I saw how, near the end, they were switching her out for offense, defense, offense, defense,” she stated. “So she was less of a scorer, but they needed her on the court for defense. Basketball is a game that can really elevate those types of players.”

“I was impressed by how much team chemistry they had, and I’m glad that I got the opportunity to see them at home, because it was really exciting.”

Although the Bruins ended their March Madness run in the Sweet Sixteen, women’s basketball will be back in Pauley Pavilion in November. 

On April 5th, Charisma Osborne and Camryn Brown announced on instagram that they will be using their 5th year of eligibility to continue their journeys as UCLA Bruins. 

04/13/2023 0 comments
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Arts & EntertainmentCampusCultureSports

Equity and Tenacity on the March Madness Stage: First Round UCLA v Sac State

by Krystal Tome 03/20/2023
written by Krystal Tome

As soon as the NCAA Selection Committee announced that UCLA got the No. 4 seed, the women on the basketball team began preparations. For some of the players, this would be the  first March Madness game of their careers, and to be able to play on their home court, surrounded by their friends, families, and fans meant a lot to them. 

Freshman Gabriela Jaquez (#23) shared, “I think it’s a really amazing opportunity that we can play here at Pauley Pavilion and have our home crowd here.” 

Christeen Iwuala (#22) followed with, “Especially for the fact that something like this is really uncommon, coming in first year, being able to do something so monumental like this, I feel like it’s a really good opportunity that we have.”

Starting their March Madness tournament in Pauley Pavilion, the hype from the crowd, as well as the one-week break since their match in Vegas against Washington State (which took place on March 5th, 2023), helped fuel the fire that went into the game. Notably, the start of the game was full of energy when Gina Conti (#10) scored twice and made a rebound before the seven-minute mark.  “I think it’s important for me as a point guard to be aggressive, to collapse the defense, to then kick out for my teammates who were open,” Conti remarks on the goals set in mind coming into a game. 

Article Photo Credits: Krystal Tome – Nommo Newsmagazine

After tying once in the first quarter, the Bruins kept the lead, making it up 24 at one point. Some highlights include, Charisma Osborne’s (#20) achieved double-double status in this game with 11 points and 12 rebounds, contributions from Jaquez’s layups and relentless drive, and Kiki Rice’s (#1) top scorer of the Bruins status tonight with 15 points. Another unforgettable moment came from Londynn Jones (#3), whose persistent determination before and after she was fouled by Sacramento State’s Dean (#0), leading to a quick trip to the locker room and back to continue what she started on the court, exemplified strong-mindedness on the court.

On the importance of March Madness branding and equity for the women’s game, Jaquez said, “It should always have been March Madness to start, but I’m really glad that we can be the players to play in the women’s March Madness tournament.”

Complementing her thought, Jones brought into perspective the hard work the UCLA WBB team has put in in order to be able to play on the March Madness stage. “It’s really just a testament to all of the hard work we’ve been doing, and it’s very different for [men’s] and women’s basketball, but the whole point is to make things equal.”

“You put in just as much work as them,” Jones continues. “But I think that it does show what we’re leading to and where we’re going, and so it’s a big difference.”

2023 marks the second year that the women’s NCAA D1 Tournament falls under the March Madness brand. The NCAA is making strides for gender equity in basketball, but there’s still much to be done.

“All of the things and the investments from the NCAA in the last [few] years are really, really important and greatly recognized and appreciated,” said Cori Close, the head basketball coach for WBB. “That being said, I’m excited for a few that still need to be attacked.” 

03/20/2023 0 comments
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Arts & EntertainmentCampusSports

Madness to Begin in Pauley

by Krystal Tome 03/17/2023
written by Krystal Tome

The NCAA Selection Committee not only awarded UCLA’s Women’s Basketball team with a No. 4 seed in the Greensville Regional 1, but they also granted Pauley Pavilion two more WBB games.

Gina Conti stated, “Probably all of our teammates are excited because… we’re able to have a chance to have all you guys come to our games.”

Camryn Brown followed with, “We’re ready to play. If we could play tomorrow, let’s play tomorrow.”

After the hard work put in by the Bruins during the regular season and especially during the recent Pac-12 Tournament where UCLA came in 2nd place after upsetting Stanford, No. 4 seeding was well deserved and an “accurate reflection of what [UCLA WBB] earned,” as stated by Coach Close.

Going up against Sacramento State (25-7), a university making their first ever appearance in the NCAA Basketball Tournament, UCLA (29-5) needs to keep their focus among “friendly neighbor” Sacramento as Coach Close remarked “I will say that Mark Campbell, who is the head coach of Sac State is a really good friend of mine and of Tony’s on our staff as well, he actually texted me two nights ago predicting this exact match-up and said ‘can you tell the committee we don’t really want to match up good friends in the first round’ and I said ‘I don’t have the kind of pull.’”

Grateful to be celebrating at the selection show with her teammates, Kiki Rice shared how the upperclassmen have helped prepare herself, as a freshman, for March, “I think the attention to detail after practices demonstrated by Charisma and the rest of the seniors has been really important… I have no doubt that everyone will prepare me.”

On Saturday, the first 100 students will be able to attend the March Madness Game in Pauley for free! Make sure to support!

03/17/2023 0 comments
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(L) Broderick Hunter: Actor, (R) Mariama Diallo: CEO and Designer of Sincerely Ria
Arts & EntertainmentCultureNews

Ebony Power 100 Gala 2022: Celebrating and Cultivating Black Excellence

by Krystal Tome 11/16/2022
written by Krystal Tome

By: Krystal Tome

On October 29th, 2022, Ebony Magazine hosted their annual Ebony Power 100 Gala honoring 100 influential Black people. Every year, this Gala takes place in celebration of Black Excellence. This year, critically acclaimed artists, Myles Frost (Tony Winner) and Tobe Ngiwe (NAACP Image Award Winner), performed at the Gala and Amber Ruffin of The Amber Ruffin Show hosted. Honorees were in diverse industries: music, film, advocacy, business, STEM, and more! The star studded red-carpet featured Emmy Winner Quinta Brunson (writer and star of Abbot Elementary), Kandi Burrus (songwriter for Destiny’s Child & TLC, former member of Xscape), Myles Frost (Tony Winner for role in MJ the Musical), Nia Long, Amber Ruffin (star of The Amber Ruffin Show), stars of Insecure Kendrick Sampson, Jay Ellis, and Issa Rae and more!

On the carpet I asked various stars what their advice is to current Black college students in their specific area of expertise. 

In my interview with CEO Eden Bridgeman Sklenar of Ebony Magazine, she shared that there is no singular correct path to achieve success in the media and publishing industry. “As long as you dream it and you set out on your own path, it can happen…There’s no one way or another… It’s going to take a number of opportunities.” Speaking of her own experience, CEO Sklenar said, “I am truly the evidence that a number of things had to happen in order to get me here, but it was my own path to have and my journey that had to be lived.”

Myles Frost shared his experience at the Tony’s when I asked him about advice to give to Black college students aspiring to make it on Broadway. “I am pushing and urging young talent to continue to create.” He mentioned “it felt very scarce at the Tony’s…although [the event] was beautiful, it was kind of unfortunate at the same time because I want to see more of us”. Frost then pointed out the progress Broadway is making with the direction it is going in with having more shows with predominantly Black casts being performed such as: The Lion King, Tina, and MJ the Musical. 

The celebration of Black excellence at the annual Ebony Power 100 Gala also brings cultivation of more Black excellence through the inspiring speeches, awards, and interviews on the red carpet. To Black Bruins and Black college students across the globe, know that you are loved, appreciated, and talented.

  • (L) Bianca Lawson,
    (R) Garcelle Beauvais
  • John Clarence Stewart
  • (L) Jeff Friday, (R) Nicole Friday
  • Nia Long
  • Yolanda Ezell
  • Chris Smalls: President of Amazon Labor Union
  • Derrick Palmer: Vice President of Amazon Labor Union
  • Gia Peppers
  • (L) Broderick Hunter: Actor, (R) Mariama Diallo: CEO and Designer of Sincerely Ria
    (L) Broderick Hunter: Actor, (R) Mariama Diallo: CEO and Designer of Sincerely Ria
Photo Credit: Krystal Tome for NOMMO Newsmagazine/UCLA Student Media

This event, the 2022 EBONY Power 100 Gala was presented by Coca-Cola Zero SugarTM and was supported in sponsorship by: Cadillac, Walmart, Google Pixel 7, Ally, P&G, Baccarat, United Airlines, Nationwide, and Beam Suntory.

11/16/2022 0 comments
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Arts & EntertainmentNewsSports

Bruins on the Super Bowl

by Krystal Tome 05/12/2022
written by Krystal Tome

In early February, the Bengals played against the Rams in Los Angeles, California for the 56th Super Bowl. The Halftime show highlighted LA culture with performing artists from LA: Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and Eminem. I asked some UCLA Black Bruins what they thought of the performance. 

Daisa Watkins

First Year

Psychology Major

  1. What did you think when you first heard who would be performing? How did you feel? When I heard who was performing, I was excited and was looking forward to seeing the halftime show. I was glad that there were so many amazing artists who were going to be there.
  2. Did you like the performance? If so, what was your favorite part? If not, explain why you didn’t like the performance. I liked the performance, and I was happy to see everyone who was involved, including the surprise guest 50 Cent. I grew up on all of their music, so it was nice to see everyone come together and make an entertaining show. I am not from L.A., but the show did a great job at highlighting the culture and iconic history of the city.

Cya Coleman

First Year

Political Science Major

  1. What did you think when you first heard who would be performing? How did you feel? When I first heard who was going to be performing, I thought it was an interesting and possibly weird combination of artists but I felt like it would still be a good show.

Did you like the performance? If so, what was your favorite part? If not, explain why you didn’t like the performance. For the most part, I liked the show and my favorite part was Kendrick Lamar‘s performance.

05/12/2022 0 comments
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