Read, watch, listen, participate

Stories, podcasts and videos to enrich your Black History Month

Celebrated each February, Black History Month remembers and recognizes the key people and events in the history of the African diaspora. This Black History Month learn about UCI Humanities scholars and research we’re proud to celebrate year-round. What follows is a series of multimedia opportunities to engage with the people and research making a difference today.

A blue rectangle with a yellow wave going through it & yellow text reading, “Read.” It has an open book icon.
Sydney Charles and Tatum Larsen sit behind a wooden table smiling. On the table between the two of them is a microphone.
Photo: Karra Ideozu

Student storytellers

Meet literary journalism majors Sydney Charles and Tatum Larsen who amplify and highlight Black voices through their podcast and video interview series.

Kathie Foley-Meyer stands looking at her piece, “Twelve Voyages,” hung on a white gallery wall.
Photo: Kathie Foley-Meyer

Honoring the forgotten

Learn more about the lives of those lost in the Atlantic slave trade from Kathie Foley-Meyer, a Ph.D. candidate in visual studies, who is working to memorialize their lives.

Tiffany Willoughby-Herard, Jessica Millward, and LaShonda R. Carter stand in a line together smiling
Photo: Steven Zylius / UCI

Next-gen activists

See how Jessica Millward, associate professor of history, and Tiffany Willoughby-Herard, associate professor of African American studies, are cultivating the next generation of Black academics.

A collage featuring a circle shaped photo of John Murillo III smiling and the cover of his book on top of a black and blue background with shattered glass and math equations.

Exploring the Nowhere

Discover the intersection of literature and physics in the first book from John Murillo III, assistant professor of African American studies.

Frank B. Wilderson III leans forward with both hands on the table smiling & a copy of his book in front of him
Photo: Ebrahim Safi

A revolution of words

Learn about the revolutionary critical theory called Afropessimism from the scholar most associated with it, Frank B. Wilderson III, Chancellor’s Professor of African American studies.

Tiffany Willoughby-Herard stands smiling in front of a plain, pastel yellow wall with a metal art piece on it of leaves

Advancing equity

Meet Tiffany Willoughby-Herard, the UCI School of Humanities’ new equity advisor.

A blue rectangle with a yellow wave going through it & yellow text reading, “Watch.” An icon of a TV is next to it.

Majoring in African American studies at UCI

Addressing prospective undergraduate students, a panel of professors in the Department of African American Studies discuss the major.

The Welcome Table

A student-led interview series highlights School of Humanities faculty, staff, students and alumni about pivotal moments in their lives.

Clockwise from upper left: Jessica Millward, Sabrina Strings, Judy Wu and Tiffany Willoughby-Herard

Mourning & anti-Blackness

Three UCI scholars reflect on the persistence of anti-Black violence and harm during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pacific worlds: Indigeneity, Blackness, and resistance

Watch a symposium on indigeneity and Blackness featuring experts in Black Pacific studies.

Discussing the roots of racism in medicine

Watch Douglas M. Haynes, professor of history, discuss the troubling legacy of racism in medicine.

The 2%: Navigating UCI as a Black Student | Anteater TV

Watch an original documentary from film and media studies major Iyanna Blackburn about what it’s like navigating UCI as a Black student.

A blue rectangle with a yellow wave going through it & yellow text reading, “Listen.” An icon of earphones is next to it.

The cultural significance of visual representation

Learn why there is a need for comprehensive, widespread change in visual culture from Bridget R. Cooks, associate professor of African American studies and art history.

Ngugi wa Thiong’o rests his hand in his right hand in a thinking gesture
Photo: Steve Zylius / UCI

A tale of prison and writing a novel

Find out how Distinguished Professor of Comparative Literature and English Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s time in a Kenyan prison was critical to writing his influential novel, The Devil on the Cross.

Douglas Haynes smiling with his right hand in his pocket in front of lit up panels
Photo: Steve Zylius/UCI

The future of social justice

Douglas M. Haynes, professor of history, discusses the impact of Black Lives Matter, what is next with the movement and UCI’s Black Thriving Initiative.

Jessica Millward stands in Aldrich Park smiling with both hands in her pockets
Photo: Steve Zylius / UCI

The meaning and importance of Juneteenth

Understand the history behind Juneteenth and the decades upon decades of continued struggle Blacks face, with Jessica Millward, associate professor of history.

A blue rectangle with a yellow wave going through it & yellow text reading, “Participate.” An icon of a pen is next to it.
Alicia Henry, Analogous III, 2020. Acrylic, thread, yarn, dyed leather.
Alicia Henry, Analogous III, 2020. Acrylic, thread, yarn, dyed leather. Courtesy of the artist.

The Black Index (Present — March 20)

Explore The Black Index, an exhibition curated by Bridget R. Cooks that features six artists, whose work represents a new index for understanding Black subjects.

Frank B. Wilderson III stands with his right hand on his hip and his left hand resting on a table
Photo: Ebrahim Safi

Frank B. Wilderson III in conversation with Jocelyn Burrell (February 3)

Join Frank B. Wilderson III as he discusses his latest book, Afropessimism.

Jessica Millward stans smiling with her hands on her hips
Photo: Steve Zylius / UCI

UCI Great Big Read Book Club discussion on Becoming by Michelle Obama (February 11)

Discuss Michelle Obama’s Becoming during a book club led by Jessica Millward, associate professor of history.

A flyer featuring photos of the speakers against a photo of a wooden door with human figures on it. In white, it reads, “AICRE + Philosophy”

AICRE+PHILOSOPHY (February 15)

Join AICRE for a panel on how Western philosophy has often situated Black life as degraded.

Discussion panel on “Trading Places” (February 25)

Join the Humanities Equity Advisor for a discussion of the film “Trading Places.”

Titus Kaphar and Reginald Dwayne Betts, Redaction (San Francisco), 2020. Etching and silkscreen on paper.
Titus Kaphar and Reginald Dwayne Betts, Redaction (San Francisco), 2020. Etching and silkscreen on paper. Courtesy of Titus Kaphar and Reginald Dwayne Betts.

Bridget R. Cooks on The Black Index (February 26)

Learn more about The Black Index from the curator herself, Bridget R. Cooks, associate professor of African American studies and art history, in this webinar from the Black Faculty and Staff Association.

Discussion panel on “Get Out” (February 26)

Tune in for a panel on the 2017 hit, “Get Out,” featuring scholars of English, film and media studies, and political science.

Watch Party and Discussion of “Perro Bomba” (2019) March 3

Watch the film, “Perro Bomba,” and then join a discussion of the film led by Sandra Harvey, assistant professor of African American studies.

UCI’s Office of Inclusive Excellence

Led by Douglas M. Haynes, professor of history, UCI’s Office of Inclusive Excellence provides education and programming around dismantling systemic barriers of racism. Learn about the Black Thriving Initiative and enroll in the Inclusive Excellence Certificate Program (open to UCI staff, faculty, and students).

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School of Humanities at UC Irvine

The official account of the UCI School of Humanities: Ideas that Matter.