Welcome to the “Supporting Our Black/African-American Communities” EDI Toolkit! For purposes of this Toolkit, the terms Black and African-American will be used interchangeably to represent people from the African diaspora, including Africa and the Caribbean.

The history of Black/African-American communities in what is currently referred to as the United States spans over 400 years.  In fact, there are accounts of African-descended explorers on expeditions as early as the 15^th and 16th centuries, prior to the 1619 arrival of Africans as indentured servants in the colony of Virginia. Over time, the increase of Black immigrants to the US has contributed to the growth of the Black community. Throughout history, Black people in the U.S. have demonstrated collective strength, resilience, and faith — not only surviving the atrocities of enslavement and subsequent acts of violence (e.g., anti-Black hate crimes), but also making significant and lasting contributions to the intellectual and cultural heritage of the United States.  Despite ongoing discrimination and racial inequity, Black/African-American communities continue to thrive. This Toolkit provides a curated overview of the history, culture, and contributions of Black/African-American people in the United States.

The Black Bruin community at UCLA is home to a diverse and engaged constituency, embracing and representing dozens of cultures. Centering these perspectives and voices helps ensure all members of our UCLA family are treated with dignity and care, paramount to the mission of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).