UCLA Black Alumni Newsletter
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT 

Vanessa Garrison

vanessa g

 

Vanessa Garrison is one half of the dynamic duo that runs GirlTrek. A national nonprofit movement that inspires Black women and girls, whose communities are most at risk, from obesity related illness to lead healthier more fulfilled lives. Started in 2007 GirlTrek currently serves an active community of more than 25,000 women.

 

Vanessa, a native of Seattle, WA and current resident of Washington DC, received her Bachelors of Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Arts and Architecture in 2000. Immediately after graduation Vanessa relocated to Atlanta, GA to begin a career in news and media with Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. After seven years of working on projects for some of the worlds most recognizable media brands including CNN, Cartoon Network and TNT, Vanessa, alarmed by the ailing health of the women in her family and the community in which she lived, decided to leave the company and start GirlTrek.

 

GirlTrek, a true labor of love, has gained national prominence for its work with low income and under resourced communities. In 2011 GirlTrek had more than 4000 women from across the country participate in its annual walking challenge. This fall GirlTrek will host its first health retreat in Sedona, AZ.

 

Motivated by the thousands of women who have reached out to GirlTrek to express their gratitude for the organizations work, this September, Vanessa will be taking on the formidable challenge of riding her bicycle from New York City to Washington DC to raise awareness for GirlTrek and the issue of obesity related illness in the Black community www.crowdrise.com/GirlTrekNYCtoDCRide 

 

Vanessa has always believed that her time at UCLA helped to shape her activist sprit and is grateful for the amazing education that she received there.

 

To learn more about GirlTrek please visit www.girltrek.org

 

To contact Vanessa please email info@girltrek.org

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!

UCLA CAMPUS NEWS  

UCLA News|Week: Foster kids thrive at UCLA

 

Here is your direct link to the latest UCLA News|Week, the weekly video digest of top news and research on campus.  

 

Watch the video:

http://eamailer.support.ucla.edu/click/14786052/41100   

Two dozen ninth-graders learned this summer that they too can succeed in college. They are foster children in the Los Angeles County system, a group that makes it to college much less often than other American students. The students were the initial group to take part in the First Star UCLA Bruin Guardian Scholars Summer Academy. UCLA officials and First Star hope to expand the program next summer.  

 

For more on these and other stories, visit UCLA Newsroom and follow us on Twitter @UCLAnewsroom. We hope you enjoy this edition of UCLA News|Week. As always, your comments are appreciated via email at

studio@support.ucla.edu 

***********************************************  BUNCHE CENTER NEWS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2011

 

Read it today to get the latest information about what's happening at the Bunche Center. It's available on the website: www.bunche.ucla.edu 

 

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UCLA News|Week: Inside the Marcus Garvey archives  

 

Here is your direct link to the latest UCLA News|Week, the weekly video digest of top news and research on campus.  

Watch the video:

http://eamailer.support.ucla.edu/click/14864242/41599   

UCLA historian Robert A. Hill has spent 30 years archiving documents that tell the story of prominent black activist Marcus Garvey. In this UCLA News|Week interview, Hill discusses his latest edited volume of the Garvey papers, which reveal the importance of the Caribbean people in American race relations.  

 

Read more on Hill and Garvey at UCLA Newsroom:

http://eamailer.support.ucla.edu/click/14864242/41601   

 

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

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!  BEACH 3  

 

  • Pauline Fischer 
  • Markeisha Jackson
  • Jashinique Vaughn
  • Jason Ward
  • Aformia Seleshi
  • Crystal Banks
  • Rochelle Gunter
  • Mychele Sims-Hernandez  
  • Kenya Yarbrough  
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!

Denette Boyd
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
ARE YOU A MEMBER OF UBAA?

JOIN OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY!

GO TO  www.uclablackalumni.org/application.php

Thanks for your support!
Join Our List
Join Our Mailing List

 Issue: 9 

SEPTEMBER 2011

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT  

Greetings Bruins,

The barbeques and summer parties are coming to an end but back-to-school preparation is here and so is football season! As always, I'll be watching and supporting our Bruin football team. Bruins are everywhere so be on the lookout for tailgates and Bruin Bashes in your area.  


The 2011 Black Convocation will be held on October 6th and our very own Mandla Kayise will be the keynote Alumni speaker for this special gathering of Afrikan people on UCLA's campus. Alumni are strongly encouraged to attend to show your support for incoming freshmen and current students as well as those on who have been representing us well on campus. Check the UBAA Calendar below for more details.

Also, be reminded that our Fundraising Dinner Gala honoring deserving Bruins will be February 4, 2012. This event will not only help to sponsor UBAA and our scholarship program but will also benefit the Ralph Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA. Our efforts to support the work they do at the Center demonstrates our commitment to excellence and African American contribution on campus and in the Los Angeles community. We really need you all to get involved, get your tickets early and spread the word! Save-the-date information is in this month's calendar and will be sent out soon so stay tuned.

We've added more UCLA News to this newsletter because it's important that we be aware of what's happening on campus in general as well as the current impact of African Americans at UCLA. Remember, there would be no highly regarded "UCLA" without the contributions we've made, past and present. Be sure to check it out.

Finally, I just want to personally thank those who continue to support our Legacy Scholarship campaign by attending fundraising receptions and donating online, etc. Your financial support is making the difference, allowing us to ensure that those who are admitted can attend and continue our great legacy.
                                                  

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 a part of the Black Bruin Movement.

GO BRUINS!
LaMonica Peters
UBAA President

 

                          

                            Mark Your UBAA Calendar

September 16

Countdown to UCLA Football

29th Annual Kick Off Party   Friday, Sept. 16 6:30-9 p.m.

It's time to get back to football. The season is days away, the Bruins are ready for action and fans are gearing up for another round of tailgates, road trips and heart stopping gridiron games. Celebrate the beginning of UCLA Football with the Pasadena San Gabriel Valley Network's time honored tradition, the 29th Annual Kick-Off Party.
  

New Location: Nestled in the far western end of the San Gabriel Valley you'll step into the luxurious charm of a private estate in La Canada-Flintridge. Join your fellow alumni for a fun-filled evening - Dinner and beverages - Award presentations to UCLA scholarship recipients - UCLA Spirit Squad and Mascots - Guest speaker from UCLA Athletics - Live auction and opportunity drawing benefiting the UCLA Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley Network's Scholarship Fund - Basketball signed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - UCLA mini-helmet signed by Gary Beban, 1967 Heisman Trophy winner - Vacation get-a-ways and more! 

 

Cost $50 per person - Includes two complimentary raffle tickets. $10 per child ages 4-12. Includes one complimentary raffle ticket. No charge for children ages 3 and under.  

 

Click here

http://alumni.ucla.edu/_click/19069339/72953?for   m_id=78832 

for more information on making payments online or by mail.

 

Learn more about the Pasadena and San Gabriel Network.

http://alumni.ucla.edu/_click/19069339/72954?chapter=30  

 

 

September 19

 

UCLA - Fall quarter begins, instruction starts Sept 22nd   

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OCTOBER 2011

 

October 1

 

The Ultimate UCLA Football Tailgate  

BRUIN BASH UCLA at Stanford

Saturday, Oct. 1

 

 

Visit Site:

http://alumni.ucla.edu/_click/18988980/72408 

 

October 6

bunche logo

 

The 2011 Black Convocation

 

The Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies cordially invites you to attend this annual gathering of people of Afrikan descent at UCLA. This is an opportunity to meet new students,  faculty, staff and alumni and find out what's happening at UCLA!

 

UCLA Campus - Covell Commons Terrace 

  • 5:30 pm - Reception  
  • 7:00 pm  - Program, Grand Horizons Ballroom  

Co-sponsored by the Afrikan Student Union, the UCLA Office of Student Affairs, the UCLA Office of Residential Life, the Academic Advancement Program, the Interdepartmental Program in Afro-American Studies, the UCLA Community Programs Office, the UCLA Black Staff and Faculty Association, the Black Graduate Student Association, and the UCLA Black Alumni Association .

 

Parking is available on the UCLA campus in the Sunset Village Parking Structure for $11.

 

For more information, please call 310-206-8267 or visit the Bunche Center website: 

http://www.bunchecenter.ucla.edu/  

 

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SAVE THE DATE   

February 4, 2012

 

UBAA Dinner Gala

Sheraton - Downtown Los Angeles

711 South Hope Street

Los Angeles, CA 90017

 

Reception/Registration - 6pm

Dinner & Program - 7pm 

 

MEMBER MEMOS

DINNER VOLUNTEERS:

We need several volunteers to serve on the UBAA Dinner committee. Our dinner is scheduled for February 2012 with Honorees to be announced. Those with planning experience are especially needed. Please reply to info@uclablackalumni.org with Dinner Volunteer in the subject line.

  

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!
View our profile on LinkedIn

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