February 13, 2025
Dear Cal alums, parents, and friends,
There’s a section of concrete on Sproul Plaza affectionately known to UC Berkeley’s African American community as “The Wall.” For over 40 years, it has been a gathering place to dance, play music, and enjoy activities, and it’s one of 14 stops on a self-guided Black history walking tour of campus. Other stops include the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame in honor of All-American football player Walter A. Gordon, and South Hall, where Miriam Matthews and Eliza Atkins Gleason became early trailblazers in the world of library science.
The tour is one way UC Berkeley is celebrating Black History Month. Another way is by honoring 27 brilliant scholars next week who received the African American Initiative Scholarship. Funded by the San Francisco Foundation and administered by the Cal Alumni Association, this scholarship provides students with financial support, resources, and a thriving community. Among this year’s cohort are budding entrepreneurs, engineers, and health care providers, artists, architects, and lawyers. Since its inception, the award has supported more than 200 scholars.
The scholarship is an important component of the African American Initiative, a comprehensive effort to address the underrepresentation and campus climate for Black students, faculty, and staff. Since it launched in 2017, the initiative has continued to evolve. The Afro Floor, for example, is a vibrant living-learning residence in Unit 1 that offers a variety of activities. Three years ago, donor contributions enabled us to increase the number of students we can house there by nearly 70 percent — from 50 students to nearly 85. We have also increased staff and built a vast network of programs and partnerships dedicated to championing support for our Black students.
In an interview about transforming the Black experience at Berkeley, Takiyah Jackson, a director of the initiative, says prioritizing well-being has shifted the team’s work. “We have a lot of conversations about making healthy choices in all areas of our lives. Our students are infusing that into leadership, into classes, into their programs,” she says. The result is that students are so excited, the resource center — the first one created for Black students — is booming and outgrowing its space.
As the world’s preeminent public university, Berkeley has a stake in serving as a model for a society in which everyone feels welcome and respected for who they are, and for their contributions to the pursuit of excellence. Thank you for supporting us on the journey to build a better Berkeley.
Go Bears!
Chancellor Rich Lyons
There’s a section of concrete on Sproul Plaza affectionately known to UC Berkeley’s African American community as “The Wall.” For over 40 years, it has been a gathering place to dance, play music, and enjoy activities, and it’s one of 14 stops on a self-guided Black history walking tour of campus. Other stops include the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame in honor of All-American football player Walter A. Gordon, and South Hall, where Miriam Matthews and Eliza Atkins Gleason became early trailblazers in the world of library science.
The tour is one way UC Berkeley is celebrating Black History Month. Another way is by honoring 27 brilliant scholars next week who received the African American Initiative Scholarship. Funded by the San Francisco Foundation and administered by the Cal Alumni Association, this scholarship provides students with financial support, resources, and a thriving community. Among this year’s cohort are budding entrepreneurs, engineers, and health care providers, artists, architects, and lawyers. Since its inception, the award has supported more than 200 scholars.
The scholarship is an important component of the African American Initiative, a comprehensive effort to address the underrepresentation and campus climate for Black students, faculty, and staff. Since it launched in 2017, the initiative has continued to evolve. The Afro Floor, for example, is a vibrant living-learning residence in Unit 1 that offers a variety of activities. Three years ago, donor contributions enabled us to increase the number of students we can house there by nearly 70 percent — from 50 students to nearly 85. We have also increased staff and built a vast network of programs and partnerships dedicated to championing support for our Black students.
In an interview about transforming the Black experience at Berkeley, Takiyah Jackson, a director of the initiative, says prioritizing well-being has shifted the team’s work. “We have a lot of conversations about making healthy choices in all areas of our lives. Our students are infusing that into leadership, into classes, into their programs,” she says. The result is that students are so excited, the resource center — the first one created for Black students — is booming and outgrowing its space.
As the world’s preeminent public university, Berkeley has a stake in serving as a model for a society in which everyone feels welcome and respected for who they are, and for their contributions to the pursuit of excellence. Thank you for supporting us on the journey to build a better Berkeley.
Go Bears!
Chancellor Rich Lyons
Chancellor’s Choice
Go: Black Culture Appreciation Night — Celebrate Black culture at UC Berkeley as the Cal women's basketball team takes on Georgia Tech. Nikki Jones, professor of African American studies, will serve as honorary coach. Thursday, February 27, 7 p.m. at Haas Pavilion. Purchase tickets to the game.
Read: Worried about bird flu? — The recent announcement of a new strain of avian flu came amid rising concern that the earlier strain has infected dairy cows and poultry nationwide — causing animals to be killed and egg prices to soar. One human death has been reported. John Swartzberg, professor emeritus of infectious diseases and vaccinology, answers questions about the flu and how you can protect yourself, your family, and your pets.