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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT | |
Yasmeen Muqtasid
Yasmeen Muqtasid graduated from UCLA's Communication Studies program in 1998. She was selected as one of the Communication Studies Department's Valedictorians and was one of the commencement speakers for her graduating class. As a student at UCLA, Yasmeen served in several leadership roles in the UCLA African Americans in Communications affinity group-an organization dedicated to promoting diversity in media careers in front of the camera and behind-the-scenes.
Since then, she has worked as a business development consultant, publicist and corporate communications professional for a myriad of industries including entertainment, fashion, consumer products, commercial real estate and healthcare.
Yasmeen has worked for several flagship international companies such as Nestle USA, AECOM Technologies, American Heart Association and Kaiser to develop media and integrated marketing campaigns.
As a child, Yasmeen knew that she would one day be an entrepreneur and that her passions resided in fashion and media. Today, she has taken on both of these goals as the co-owner of Mychael Darwin Jeans-a high end premium denim brand. In partnership with her husband-designer Mychael Darwin-their company will be featured in Essence magazine's August issue and featured later this month in the Orange County Business Journal. The husband and wife duo are launching a new women's and men's ready-to-wear denim collection which will be found in specialty boutiques and better department stores this fall.
Additionally, Yasmeen is also the founder and president of Black Women Matter, Inc. an organization dedicated to promoting the positive portrayal of black women in the media. She is a regular columnist, contributing writer and spokesperson to national media outlets on the topics of how black women are portrayed in film, television and print media. Black Women Matter, Inc. is launching a new social destination web site this summer for today's contemporary black woman, which will provide insightful advice on financial matters, health & wellness matters, beauty matters, style matters, family & relationship matters and more.
"I've always been protective of how we as black people and in particular black women are portrayed in the media," says Yasmeen. Unfortunately, there is a growing subculture that has permitted media to ignore us and to type cast us as one-dimensional and as the age-old negative stereotype of black women. Black Women Matter, Inc. will change and confront individuals and organizations that promote these destructive images."
To get involved in the Black Women Matter movement you can email:join@blackwomenmatter.com or go to www.blackwomenmatter.com
To look stylish as you join the movement and to support one hottest black-owned denim labels in the country go to: www.mychaeldarwinjeans.com or www.facebook.com/mychaeldarwinjeans
We salute Yasmeen! Go Bruins! |
| 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 SCHOLARSHIP | | |
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 HONORING LEGENDARY UCLA COACH JOHN WOODEN | | |
In honor of John Wooden's legacy and committment to pioneer African-American players at UCLA, a fundraising reception was hosted by UBAA and Alum Marques Johnson.
UBAA was fortunate enough to have the last taped interview with Coach Wooden, which was also screened during the reception. Coach Wooden's family was in attendance along with former athletes,
scholarship recipients, alumni, invited guests and donors.
 
 
 
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UBAA WELCOMES NEW AND RENEWED MEMBERS | | |
Thank you for joining us and showing your committment to continuing our legacy at UCLA. UBAA celebrates its members! 
- Jonathan Clark
- Lori Gilchrist
- Fred McKinney
- Michael Malik, MD
- Dewayne Hayforth
- Twyla Lang Gordon
- Latanya Cunningham Foster
- Laurence Aikens
- Darryl Piggee
- Nerrissa Williams
- Brittany Stallworth
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2011 Afrikan Graduation Celebration | | |
UCLA's Afrikan Graduation celebration began in 1979 through the tireless work and dedication of 14 students that decided to create a commencement ceremony for students of African descent. Since then, Black Bruins have continued the tradition of recognizing themselves and their accomplishments by participating in this annual ceremony.
On June 12, 2011 at Royce Hall hundreds of graduating students joined by numerous family and friends celebrated the transition from student to their future career. By the time the 2011 commencement season is over, the university will have conferred more than 10,000 bachelor's, master's, doctoral and professional degrees.
We look forward to having the new UCLA Alumni join UBAA to help us continue the legacy!
We salute the graduating class of 2011! |
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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT | | |
Greetings,
UCLA Alumni Day 2011 was a fantastic celebration of the UCLA Legacy as well as a wonderful demonstration of all the things happening at UCLA today. This year the Bruin Network information fair also included academic department booths highlighting the great work being accomplished at UCLA. With the band, cheerleaders, food, campus tours, seminars, photos with UCLA mascots, the kids zone and musical performances, it was a worthwhile event for all Bruins. Be sure to view the plaque dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr near Janss Steps the next time you're on campus. I'd like to congratulate the Bruin Class of 2011! This is a special class because they're the first to graduate after admission policies were challenged by the Black Alumni Association and the Alliance which includes the Los Angeles NAACP and the L.A. Urban League. Though the fight for access is far from over, it's important that we remember fees continue to rise and our students will need as much assistance as they can get. It's heartbreaking when I have to look into the face of an admitted student who wants to become apart of the Bruin Legacy but can't afford to for whatever reason. What good is it to have more students admitted if finances are still holding them back? The Black Alumni are grateful to those who contribute to our scholarship fundraising efforts. There's still so much need however that we have to continue raising the level of our efforts and expanding our outreach. The Bruin Advantage program, which matches every dollar we raise 3-to-1, will expire in 2013. It is imperative that we do all that we can now. If you would like to host a fundraising reception on behalf of the Legacy Scholarship campaign, please email us at info@uclablackalumni.org or call us at 310-631-8222 for more information. As always, we will continue to raise funds for incoming African American students and planning activities for Alumni that will keep us connected. 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 | | |
JUNE 2011
June 19
Los Angeles Dodgers Host African American Community Day
Celebrate Juneteenth with family, friends, and the Dodgers
To purchase tickets, go to www.dodgers.com/KJLH
Promo Code: KJLH
June 23
Jammin' For Justice, A Benefit Concert in Support of Bobby Grace, candidate for LosAngeles County District Attorney, Thursday, June 23rd, 2011 at Exchange LA, 618 S. Spring
Street. LA CA 90014. Doors open at 7 p.m.
VIP Reception. Live entertainment. Special Guests. Food & Drinks.
Purchase tickets on ine @ www.bobbygrace4da.com, select contributions. Other
Box: enter number & type of ticket. Redeem tickets at Will Call.
Pre-Sale tickets:
$25 General Admission
$100 VIP Reception
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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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