The Diversity Digest

To New Beginnings

From the appointment of the first Black president of the University of California, to tearing down oppressive monuments to allow for more inclusive ones, this week’s digest is dedicated to new beginnings. We hope that you will engage with these offerings as an uplifting, informative and inspiring way to begin the second half of 2020.

Thank you to our readers that filled out last week’s survey. We are excited to have many of you share your talents and resources with our community. As always, feel free to forward this to a friend and visit our social media companion to the Diversity Digest on Instagram at @ucladiversealum. Most importantly, please let us know if there is a topic you are interested in by submitting ideas to diversity@alumni.ucla.edu. 

WATCH
With a run dedicated to Nipsey Hussle and “The Marathon Continues,” UCLA alumni Jerrold Smith II '17, LaJuan Morris ' 20 and Jordan Bentley won the grand prize on the new Netflix show "The Floor is Lava."


MEET
On Tuesday, July 7, a new beginning was announced for the UC system. Get to know the University of California's first Black president, Michael V. Drake, M.D. 


LISTEN
On his LA Times podcast "Coronavirus in California: Stories from the Front Lines" Gustavo Arellano, M.A. '03, shares real stories of how the pandemic is affecting everyone throughout the state.

LEARN
Join UCLA alumna Yve Chavez, Ph.D. '17, in Toppling Mission Monuments and Mythologies - Critical Mission Studies Zoom Conference. Scholars and allies will respond to the recent toppling of mission monuments.

EAT
There's no better way to kick off your summer stay-at-home vacation than with some ice cream. Cheeri Cheeri Ice Cream, founded by Christiana Cunanan '14, brings vegan Pilipino flavors to the traditional summer treat.

CELEBRATE
Want a new way to celebrate Pride during the pandemic? Sign up to watch UCLA Lambda Alumni Association's Inside Pride Parade on Sunday, July 26. 

As always, we thank you for your love and support — our diverse alumni community means the world to us.

Here's to new beginnings,

UCLA Alumni Diversity Programs & Initiatives staff