| ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT | |
Lena Brown 
Lena Brown began her life in Butler, Georgia, as the second oldest of twelve children. Although initially challenged by the limited educational and economic opportunities in her segregated town, Lena committed herself to completing a college degree. As it so often happens, life intervened, and that major goal took a backseat to more immediate concerns. One of the major accomplishments in Lena's life was the birth of her cherished daughter, Yolanda, who continues to be a source of much love and pride. However, Lena did indeed attain her dream of a college degree in 1996. Her academic achievement reflects her outstanding ability to juggle full-time work and family responsibilities, while pursuing academic excellence.
Lena worked as an advisor to the Student Recruiter Program where the established goal was to recruit elementary, middle school, as well as high school youth to UCLA. She worked with the planning committee for the annual Martin Luther King Scholarship Luncheon, which awarded scholarships to students of color. This dedicated woman also served on the advisory board of the Young Black Scholars Program from 1980 to the present. Concurrently, Lena served as President of the UCLA Staff Assembly, and was a member of the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on the Status of Women and the University Policy Commission, where she helped to address such issues as sexual harassment and discrimination. While working for these community organizations, Lena also volunteered at a local battered women's shelter for 13 years.
Lena's service to the community mirrors her selfless contributions to students, colleagues, and faculty at UCLA. Her professional career with the University began 36 years ago. While she has worked in various capacities; she is arguably doing her most important work now, as the Transfer Coordinator in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. This involves supervising four professional staff transfer advisors, who provide services to transfer students from various community colleges in Los Angeles, surrounding counties, and statewide areas. The staff assists Lena with advisement on academic curriculum and motivating students to achieve at their ultimate academic level for transfer to the university. Lena also supervises the Transfer Student Outreach Mentorship Program (STOMP) which is a group of transfer students at UCLA who volunteer to help with recruiting by serving as role models and motivating community college students (mostly low income underrepresented students) to consider UCLA as their school of choice. There are many transfer students on campus that will attribute the chance of their lifetimes, the ability to attend UCLA, to Lena Brown's efforts in her capacity at the community colleges she serves.
As if what she has contributed to young people in the larger community isn't enough, Lena took on a new challenge as foster Mom in 2007 to two beautiful boys, ages 4 and 13. She is currently adopting the youngest, now 8 years old. She is truly a woman with an iron will, nerves of steel, and a heart of gold.
We salute Lena Brown! Go Bruins!
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| 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, becoming a member will be required and should be done online: www.uclablackalumni.org.
Thank you! |
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UBAA LEGACY SCHOLARSHIPHEADLINE
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The UBAA Legacy Scholarship Campaign Needs Your Help!
We're making our push to raise funds for the 2011-2012 entering freshman class. Help UBAA continue its success in providing every entering African-American freshman with a scholarship ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. We raised over $500,000 last year and provided scholarships to almost 200 students including athletes on partial scholarship. We expect to give scholarships to a larger number of students this coming fall.
There are two ways to give: (1) Through the UBAA website at www.uclablackalumni.org and/or (2) through the California Community Foundation at
www.calfund.org/give/AfricanAmericanScholarshipFund.php
Help continue the legacy of African-Americans at UCLA.
Contact Van Scott for more details at
van@urbandesigncenter.com |
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UBAA WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
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Thank you for joining us and showing your committment to continuing our legacy at UCLA. UBAA celebrates its new members! 
- J Christopher Smith
- Jacquelyn Sims
- Lisa Cagnolatti
- Rodney Diggs
- Deborah Burnett
- Wanda Flagg
- Kerrie Pratt
- Gwen Allen, MD
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ARE YOU A MEMBER OF UBAA? | |
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UBAA HOSTS DINNER FOR FRESHMAN CLASS OF 2011
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A special thanks is in order for Akonam Okoye and Maryam Farrakhan of the Afrikan Student Union for their dedication and success in planning a wonderful event on Saturday, April 9th in Ackerman Grand Ballroom. We are also happy that Vice Chancellor Janina Montero was in attendance. Congrats to the Freshman Admit Class of 2011!
Admits Vice Chancellor Montero (far right)
 
Admits Admits
 
Admits Admit & Family
 
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| ADVERTISE WITH UBAA | | |
Want to reach your fellow UCLA Black Alumni with news of an upcoming event? Advertise in the UBAA Newsletter! The newsletter is distributed every 2nd Tuesdy of the month. Contact us at info@uclablackalumni.org for more details.
**Please note that UBAA reserves the right to deny all advetisements that do not align themselves with our goals, and/or our desired public perception as an organization.**
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| MEMBER MEMOS | | |
UCLA: The First Century
It's the 1st in-depth history of UCLA in over 40 years.
If you order your book now, you get $20 off!
http://www.tmplimited.com/ucla
BruinWorks!
The UCLA Alumni Association has launched BruinWorks, an online, interactive network exclusively for UCLA graduates. This dynamic site allows alumni to connect professionally and personally. BruinWorks is a UCLA graduate's most valuable resource. Go to www.bruinworks.com now!
Alumni Mentors
Interested in Being an Alumni mentor to a UCLA Black Undergrad Student? Sign up to be a mentor through ASP's African Brothers and Sisters Mentorship Program. Info and application are below.
The directions to submit the application are as follows:
1) Download the application at this URL address:
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B8s1uv-mXeI2YjhjZjBlZWUtYWEzYS00ZTVlLWExYjQtMDA1N2MzZDdmMWVl&hl=en&authkey=CLCSuaYF 2) Fill out the application
3) E-mail the completed application to africanbrothersandsisters@gmail.com or print it and turn in the hard copy to ASP cubicle located in Student Activity Center Room 105
Renew Your Dues Today
Please renew your membership online at www.uclablackalumni.org. Your membership helps us to assist alumni, students and the community. Annual Membership is only $50. Thank you! LinkedIn.com We have created an UCLA Black Alumni page on the linkedin.com website. If you would like to connect with other Black Bruins in a professional networking environment. We will add job postings as they become available to us!
Reconnect with other UCLA Black Alumni Association.
Twitter We are on twitter.com @BlackBruinAlum.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
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Greetings,
This past Saturday evening UBAA hosted the African American admitted freshman class of 2011 for dinner in Ackerman Grand Ballroom at UCLA. Sponsored by Edison and organized by the Afrikan Student Union, this spectacular welcoming event hosted over 350 students, their loved ones and Alumni as a part of the 1st Annual Bruin Day festivities.
This year, the University hosted over 10,000 admitted freshman in a single weekend, allowing them a chance to visit the campus and see all that UCLA has to offer. See the Newsletter events section for photos and check out this article in the Daily Bruin which spotlights how the African Student Union and other groups participated:
http://www.dailybruin.com/index.php/article/2011/04/bruin_day _is_ready_for_its_first_year_of_preparing_
incoming_students_for_academic_and_social_life_at
For more info on Bruin Day go to: http://www.bruinday.ucla.edu
Most importantly, nearly 450 African American freshman were admitted to UCLA this fall! This number is a great improvement from 2006. However, only about half of these students usually consent to attend UCLA. Not surprisingly, one of the main reasons is financial, as we have out-of-state and transfer students who are either offered better financial packages from other schools or they simply can't afford the costs.
We at UBAA are committed to raising as much scholarship funding as we can but we can't do it without your participation. If you or someone you know who'd like to support our efforts is employed by a company that participates in a matching program for charitable donations, email us at info@uclablackalumi.org. Every dollar counts towards helping African American students achieve their collegiate goals at UCLA. We are also still participating in the Bruin Advantage program which will match funds raised 3-to-1 until 2013.
UBAA is constantly thinking of more ways to insure our children's future at UCLA. Next month, we are hosting a Golf Tournament fundraiser that you won't want to miss! Be sure to check our calendar for upcoming campaigns and events that everyone can participate in. Come out to network, catch up with old classmates and support the next generation.
Remember, making a one-time donation or donating just $10 per month or more online can help us to succeed in our commitment to our UCLA legacy. Go to www.uclablackalumni.org to donate or to become a UBAA member.
Be apart of the Black Bruin Movement.
GO BRUINS!
LaMonica Peters UBAA President
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| VOLUNTEERS NEEDED | | Have you graduated from UCLA and said, "I want to be more connected to UCLA's Black Alumni and be more involved"?
Well, here is your chance! You can do this by becoming apart of a volunteer committee. We need your help and would love to have you. See the list below. If YOU are INTERESTED in ANY of these committees, email us at info@uclablackalumni.org. Thank you!
Committees Where You Are Needed:
1. Volunteers - Helping to organize and locate volunteers for various events throughout the year
2. Fundraising - Helping to raise money for UBAA events and scholarships
3. Marketing - Finding innovative ways to publicize UBAA events and activities
4. IT - Helping to serve the technological needs of UBAA
5. Membership - Helping to bring more Bruins together
6. Campus & Community Relations - Keeping UBAA informed and engaged with campus activities that specifically affect Black Bruins
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Mark Your UBAA Calendar | | |
APRIL 2011
April 14
Thurgood Marshall Lecture
The Ralph Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA
Presented by The Honorable Diane Watson, Former Congresswoman, 33rd District, U.S. House of Representatives
Reception 5:30p & Lecture at 7pm
Grand Horizon Room, Covel Commons, UCLA
RSVP to atucker@bunche.ucla.edu
or call 310-825-4023
www.bunchecenter.ucla.edu
April 16
UCLA Education Conference with LAUSD Superintendent
On Saturday April 16th the Roosevelt Institute at UCLA, the USAC External Vice President's office, Teach for America, the Bruin Democrats and the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs will be hosting a conference on education reform in the United States. In addition to speeches from education experts, the event will bring students from across the country together to discuss their ideas on education reform, on topics ranging from ...UC and LAUSD reforms to closing achievement gaps nationwide. Incoming LAUSD Superintendent, John Deasy will be speaking. Representatives from LA City Council Paul Koretz's office and Assemblymember Holly Mitchell's office will be in attendance.
The conference is free and provides a unique chance to
learn about the education problems facing our country while networking with professional educators, government officials, and passionate students from across the country. Complimentary lunch and refreshments will be provided for all attendees.
*9am-4pm*
*Register:
https://spreadsheets3.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dEtkaGhfRTJ1SXNYem9Lc0Q4UnpYcFE6MQ#gid=0
April 21
1st Annual UCLA Anderson Africa Growth Conference
Join the UCLA Anderson School of Management in welcoming top corporate and intellectual leaders as they share the exciting potential of Africa. Home to the world's fastest growing markets in the areas of capital investment and mobile communications, Africa offers unique and unparalleled opportunities for companies across the globe.
This conference is for business professionals, alumni and students who want to enhance their knowledge of the key drivers moving Africa forward and to position themselves to take advantage of these emerging opportunities.
The conference will also provide the chance for professionals and students to gain access to the minds of industry trailblazers, who will share their perspectives and feedback on what it takes to do business successfully on the continent.
For information on the conference, please contact Judith Ejomah at joejomah@gmail.com
http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/x35721.xml
April 23
Earth Day 2011
An Inglewood Community Wide Celebration" at Queen Park in Inglewood, CA on Saturday, April 23, 2011 will be a fun filled day with good music, live performances and demonstrations, good people, good food, games, and healthy eating and active living information for families from all over the city.
For additional information about "Earth Day 2011", or its sponsors, please visit www.sjli-cp.org or contact Derek Steele at dsteele@sjli-cp.org
April 24
Happy Easter!
MAY 2011
May 21
UCLA Alumni Day
Join us as we celebrate and reconnect with other Bruins for a fun-filled day of activities on campus. For more info:
http://www.alumniday.ucla.edu/2011/
May 22
1st Annual UBAA Golf Tournament
Join us for a wonderful day of golf and mixer at Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena, CA.
For more information and sponsorship opportunities go to www.uclablackalumni.org/golf-tournament
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