At UCSB, we strive to keep our African diasporic community united and strong with an array of resources. Get connected with the Black Student Union by attending weekly meetings, check out frequent events at the AdCRC, and gain insight on the academic work being done at the Center for Black Studies Research! We are very proud that our Black and African faculty, staff, and students are setting the bar for success, all while contributing to a legacy of Black excellence.
Watch videos about our Community.
Featured Event
Mavis Staples and The War and Treaty
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 | 7:30 PM | Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara
A chart-topping soul/gospel/R&B pioneer, civil rights icon, National Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement recipient and Kennedy Center honoree, Mavis Staples delivers roof-raising performances with youthful vigor and commanding maturity. Called “one of America’s defining voices of freedom and peace” by NPR, she marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., performed at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration and sang in Barack Obama’s White House. Combining traditional folk, country, R&B and spirituals into a dynamic blend that’s all their own, The War and Treaty (Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter) were the first Black artists ever nominated for Duo of the Year by the Country Music Association. Taking the stage separately, Staples and The War and Treaty promise an unforgettable evening of deep soul and heart-wrenching gospel passion.
Point of Pride
UCSB has a strong tradition of expanding services and opportunities for Black students through a history student activism and collaboration with university administration. Our Black Studies Department, ranked 9th in the country, houses world class scholars, including a Pulitzer Prize winner and the flagship journal for Haitian studies.