Fondly known as "The Mathman", Lybroan James is making a major impact in his community building awareness about the importance of math in students' academic & occupational futures. Graduating from UCLA in 1993 as a Math and Economics major of course, he had a fantastic experience on campus despite having to initally fight feelings of isolation from being one of the few African Americans in the Math department. Fortunately, Lybroan was guided by Mr. Roberson, an African American counselor on campus at the time. He says, "If you find yourself a mentor who can give you guidance on how to get through the process of being at an institution as vast as UCLA, you'll be able to enjoy your time there and succeed."
As it turned out for Lybroan, pledging the fraternity Phi Beta Sigma in 1988 wasn't just another ritual that many college students experience. After becoming a member of the organization, he discovered that he had fraternity brothers who had also been math majors. They were able to give him much needed advice and support creating an even stronger bond amongst them. He went on to become the President of the Panhellenic Council for 1991-92, presiding over all African American Greek organizations on campus. After leaving UCLA, he also served as our UBAA Treasurer for two years.
Learning to work with others while at UCLA is still paying dividends for him today. About 15 years ago, Lybroan started Mathman Enterprises as an effort to change the monotony of math instruction as well as the negative mental perceptions people have about math. To make math simple, fun and entertaining, he created a pilot TV show about math, a math-based radio show called "Math after Midnight" and several learning methods to make math easier. In 2009, he partnered with two fellow Black Bruin Mathematicians who also tutored, Cordell Haynes and Jason Boze. Together they created "Scholars in Progress", a program that helps students become masters of math. This program will be implemented first at the South Los Angeles based Audubon Middle School, instructing students in math two Saturdays a month. Scholars in Progress will also be working with Actor/Author/Activist Hill Harper's Manifest Your Destiny Foundation. Lybroan says, "We want to do for math education what Obama did for politics, add new flavor."
As a former Officer of UBAA, we thank him for his service. We are so proud and thrilled to spotlight Lybroan James and the extraodinary work he is doing in the field of Mathematics. Congratulations Lybroan!
Goooo Bruins!
To contact Lybroan James regarding Scholars in Progress, email him at ljmathman@gmail.com or at (310)384-MATH.
TELL US ABOUT YOU
We love to recognize our fellow Bruins who are making an impact in their communities and in their careers.
If you or someone you know could be a candidate for UBAA recognition in our monthly newsletter, please email info@uclablackalumni.org as soon as possible. Briefly describe what you do, your UCLA graduation year, etc.
NOTE: You must be a UBAA member to be recognized. If you are not, joining as an Annual member will be required and should be done online: www.uclablackalumni.org.
Thank you!
VOLUNTEERS
Have you graduated from UCLA and said, "I want to be more connected to UCLA's Black Alumni" and "I want to be more involved"?Well, here is your chance! Start 2010 off by getting involved in your Black Alumni Association. You can do this by volunteeringOR becoming a part of a committee. We need your help and would love to have you. Below is a list of upcoming volunteer events and needed committees. If YOU are INTERESTED in ANY of these events or committees, please email Jacquae Walker at
1) Phone Calling to raise scholarship money for admitted Freshman *Date: January- February
2) Phone Calling to newly admitted UCLA students: *Date: March T.B.A
Committees Where You Are Needed:
1. Volunteer Committee - Help to organize and locate volunteers for various events throughout the year
2. Fundraising Committee - Helping to raise money for future UBAA events and scholarships
3. Marketing Committee - Finding innovative ways to publicize UBAA events and activities
4. IT Committee - Helping to serve the technological needs of UBAA
5. Freshman Yield Committee: - Hands on involvement with organizing and effectuating the success of the yield dinner and activities in April * Meeting January 9th by phone
6. Membership Committee - Helping to bring more Bruins together
UPDATE: UBAA LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP CAMPAIGN
* Our third year of this campaign is currently underway.
* UBAA has provided close to 500 scholarships over the last two years.
* Our goal is to provide scholarships for EVERY entering African-American freshman for the fall 2010 school year.
* We have raised 30 $10,000 scholarships so far. The UCLA Bruin Advantage Program is matching our effort 3:1. This means 30 African-American freshmen will have a 4 year $40,000 scholarship as a result of UBAA's efforts.
* We are still raising money to provide another 170-200 African-American students with one year scholarships of up to $1,500.
* We need your help to raise the final $180,000 for by March 1, 2010. No contribution is too large or two small.
* If you're interested in contributing and/or recieving the marketing materials, please e-mail Van Scott at van@urbandesigncenter.com.
As the devastating earthquake in Haiti continues to take lives, let us remember all those who have come before us and paved the way for our success. May we take time this month (and all year long) to remind ourselves of the historic contributions to humanity that Black people have made, and continue to make. Let us connect with family and friends and be inspired and enriched by the cultural, artistic and creative events organized by our illustrious Black Bruins (you know how we do it!) in honor of Black History Month...
*Feb 5th: Queens of the Nile, staged to Stevie Wonder's majestic Symphony Orchestra Score, "Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants" at the USC/Bovard Auditorium at 8p. Queens Historical Society is an innovator in multicultural education programs that assert the rich and royal heritage of African Americans, co-founded by master drummer/storyteller UCLA Alumnus Jali Adisa. For tickets, (562) 570-4079, www.info.queenshistoricalsociety.com
*Feb 10th -17th: Pan-African Film & Arts Festival, at the Culver Plaza Theater, 9919 Washington Blvd. America's largest and most prestigious Black film festival, founded by fellow Bruin Ayuko Babu. For film schedule and tickets visit www.paff.org.
*Feb 11th: UBAA Haitian Relief Fundraiser & Mixer from 6-9p at Gyenari's, 9540 Washington Blvd,Culver City. Get information & details for annual UBAA Ski Trip March 26-28 in Mammoth.
*Feb 25th: Rekindling the Bond @ CAAM. Free, private tours of museum's "After 1968" and "An Idea Called Tomorrow-2" exhibits, plus testimonials from Civil Rights Activists, 6p at California African American Mueum. Complimentary hors'd oveurs & cocktail reception, RSVP to ewoodson@caamuseum.org. Sponsored by LA African American Jewish Connection (many Bruins!)
*Feb 27th: "Invention to Innovation, See Yourself-See the Future" Black History Cultural Youth Experience & art show from 1p-4:30p at St. Andrews Park, 8701 St. Andrews Place, LA. Hear fellow Bruin Dontraneil Clayborne of Afrispora Inc. on the Urban Business Panel. For more info or to volunteer for the panel contact Derek Haskell, 323-596-5177, presslineent@gmail.com.
*March 26-28th: 20th Annual Mammoth Ski Trip
Early Bird $275, which includes a 1-year UBAA membership for UCLA grads. Trip includes Deluox Motor Coach Bus, Lodging, Saturday Noontime Mixer, Saturday night comedy and Dance, and giveaways. More infor at www.uclablackalumni.org
If you know of other activities in your area, please share them with us on Facebook. Join the UCLA Black Alumni Association FB page as a friend, and get connected!
In other UBAA News...
Launched in 2007 to increase UC eligibility for Black students in Los Angeles, and ensure our children get a fair share of resources in public higher education, the UBAA "Fair Share Campaign" is now sponsored by Southern California Edison. We need volunteers to help at Carson, Crenshaw and Hollywood High Schools. Contact info@uclablackalumni.org.
UCLA Admission update 2010: If you know any seniors or transfer students who applied to UCLA for Fall 2010, please send their name, contact info and high school to info@uclablackalumni.org, and UBAA will send them important updates and resources.
The UBAA Legacy Scholarship Campaign 2010 is underway and has successfully raised over $300,000, which is matched by UCLA 3:1. We need your support to raise the last $180,000 by March 1st and ensure that every Black UCLA freshmen receives a $1500 scholarship. To contribute or volunteer, email us at info@uclablackalumni.org.
Save the Date: Join us Sat, April 10th at 6p to welcome all admitted freshmen to the UCLA Black Bruin family. Volunteers needed, see details below. Until next time...
Blessings, Jennifer
UCLA FRESHMAN ADMIT WEEKEND
2010 UBAA Admit Reception
The Annual UBAA Admit Reception will be held on April 10, 2010 on UCLA's Campus.The UBAA reception, which is held in conjunction with ASU's Admit Weekend and AAP's Scholars Day, allows newly admitted students an opportunity to meet alumni and learn more about UCLA.Our goal is to help increase the number of admitted students that choose to attend UCLA in Fall 2010.
UBAA is seeking volunteers to assist with this event.If you are interested in volunteering, please e-mail Lisa Ford at MsLBFord@yahoo.com or call (913) 221-5551.For general information regarding the reception, please contact Jennifer White at jwhite@uclablackalumni.org. We will also be meeting by phone Saturday, Jan 9, 2010 from 9-10am (PST). To join in, call (712) 432-3900 with access code #566182.
If you are unable to volunteer, but would like to make a tax-deductible cash donation, please send contributions Payable toUBAA to the following address:
UBAA Admit Reception 2010
PO Box 83422
Los Angeles, CA 90083.
Thank you for your support.
MARK YOUR UBAA CALENDAR
FEBRUARY 2010
February: "Black History Month"
CA Science Center - "America I Am" Exhibit
February 5th: Bunchy Carter & John Huggins Memorial (2 student activist murdered in 1969 on the steps of Campbell Hall), UCLA-Campbell Hall, 4-8p
February 11th: UBAA Officers Meeting, Lucy Florence(L.A.) @ 6:30p
(Open to the Public)
February 18th: UCLA Law Black Alumni Reception @6pm
Hugh & Hazel Darling Law Library, UCLA School of Law
MARCH 2010
March 6th: Mid-year Officers' Retreat, Location & Time TBD
March 11th: Officers Meeting, Lucy Florence(L.A.) @ 6:30p (Open to the Public)
March 26-28th: Annual Ski Trip, Register on-line. Early Bird $275, which includes a 1-year UBAA membership for UCLA grads. Trip includes Deluxe Motor Coach Bus, Lodging, Saturday Noontime Mixer, Saturday Night Comedy and Dance, and giveaways.
APRIL 2010
April 8th: UBAA Officers Meeting, Lucy Florence(L.A.) @ 6:30p
(Open to the Public)
April 10th: Freshmen Admit Weekend, UCLA Campus event @6p
REDISTRICTING COMMISSION
Written by Steven Maviglio
"Despite burning through millions of taxpayer dollars on "outreach," the State Auditor is reporting that more than 80 percent of the applications to serve on the California Redistricting Commission are from whites and more than 73 percent are from males -- another example of why this "reform" experiment advanced by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Common Cause is turning into a gigantic flop. So far it looks like the Board of Trustees of an Alabama Country Club, circa 1964. To put it blunty, there is no sign of diversity in the applications that are coming into the State Auditor's office."
I am sure many of you are thinking- "I'm not qualified to serve on this Commission" but unless you are barred by LSC restrictions, you ALL should APPLY! PLEASE APPLY! Go to www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov. The deadline is February 12th and if chosen pays $300/day for commission work.
If you agree pass it on! We need DIVERSE- Publicly Minded folks to serve on this Commission! The complete article is at:
Have you graduated from UCLA and said, "I want to be more connected to UCLA's Black Alumni" and "I want to be more involved"?
