BGSA was founded in the fall of 2004 by graduate students of African descent from across various disciplines at the University of California at Berkeley. BGSA primarily seeks to build community amongst incoming and continuing graduate students of African decent. We also seek to reach out and support other members of the Black community on campus and in the East Bay. The BGSA currently coordinates mentorship programs with local high school and undergraduate students, organizes and hosts events around political issues that address social inequalities, and facilitates a support network for members of the Cal Black community. Our events include: Final Fridays, Reparation Conference, Black History Month Events, Solidarity Day, Undergraduate/Graduate Student mixers, and much more! This year BGSA aims to further our community service and outreach efforts. In this vein, we have created a new position of Campus Ambassador. We have also developed an Education Committee to stimulate collaboration and support for our academic pursuits. Reading groups, and research groups are a few of the many ways that we can sustain and promote our work. BGSA's creation was sparked by graduate students' firm belief in the power of having an organized and active space for Black graduate students to know each other, support each other, and address various concerns of the Black community both inside and outside of the University. The mission of the Black Graduate Students Association is to: 1) provide support for one another both professionally and socially; 2) promote cultural, social and political awareness throughout the University community and beyond; 3) to develop programs that promote awareness and address inequalities on campus and in the greater community. Please contact the committee leaders if you’re interested in joining their team. Community Service Committee: BGSA collaborates with local schools and community organizations to help achieve common goals. Lead: Mike Starkey, starkey@berkeley.edu Networking/Social Committee: BGSA provides opportunities for students, faculty and community members enjoy together what the Bay Area has to offer. Lead: Asia Leeds, aleeds@berkeley.edu Outreach Committee: BGSA supports local high school students and Berkeley undergraduate /graduate students. This Committee ensures our involvement in university and community events. Lead: Hodari Toure, quiet927@aol.com Political Committee: BGSA organizes actions around political issues addressing social inequities on and off campus. Lead: Kofi Charu Nat Turner, naturner@berkeley.edu Technology & Communication Committee: BGSA strives to have a clear, accessible website and a system that organizes and provides relevant information for Black graduate students. Lead: Mike Strambler, mstram@berkeley.edu Co-Chairs: Maxine McKinney, mmckinney@berkeley.edu Ebbin Dotson, edotson@berkeley.edu Treasurer/Grant Writer: Claudia Sitgraves, claudia@econ.berkeley.edu, Robia Charles Secretary/Social: Asia Leeds Political: Kofi-Charu Nat Turner Community Service: Mike Starkey Outreach: Hodari Toure Technical: Mike Strambler Campus Ambassador(s): Edward Davis, Claudia Sitgraves Academic: TBA Member(s) At-Large: Bryan Tollin