LYRICS FROM LOCKDOWN
2025-12-12 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, 6067 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, 90036
The internationally-acclaimed, multimedia theatrical event returns to LA for a one-night-only performance!

Created by Tony Award–nominated theater maker, activist and author Bryonn Bain, LYRICS FROM LOCKDOWN brings to life the humor, heartbreak and resilience of those impacted by mass incarceration, through hip-hop theater, spoken word poetry, comedy, calypso, classical, blues, breathtaking visuals and music. The performance will be live streamed to prisons and correctional facilities.
For more information, visity: www.LyricsFromLockdown.com
Synopsis
Witness the hijinks of a dysfunctional Caribbean immigrant family in Brooklyn, and the genius and gallows humor of folks who face the imprisonment of their loved ones. LYRICS FROM LOCKDOWN is a one-man show bringing 40 characters to life, telling two unbelievable true stories using hip-hop theater, spoken word, blues, calypso, comedy, and a video DJ.
Talkback
A talkback featuring Bryonn Bain, lead producer Claudia Peña, and people experiencing incarceration attending the livestream!
Rave reviews!
Legendary organizing icon Dolores Huerta says “Everyone in America should see this show!”
The New York Times hailed it as “truly polished, meaningful and entertaining.”
Hip hop founder DJ Kool Herc said “A legend in the making!”
Anna Deavere Smith describes this tour de force as “…every moment on stage is a thing of beauty.

Beyond the Clinic, Beyond the Classroom: Black Families Rewriting Possibility in Autism Care
2026-01-21 11:30 - 13:00 | Black Forum, 153 Haines Hall, Los Angeles, CA, 90303, United States
Please join us for an upcoming research talk by Dr. Stephanie Keeney Parks, Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of African American Studies

*Lunch will be provided. In-person attendance is strongly encouraged; a Zoom option will be available for those unable to join us in-person.*

When We Free the World: Film Screening & Discussion
2026-02-17 17:30 - 18:30 | Broad Art Center, Room 2160E, 240 Charles E. Young Drive, North Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Description:
The Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies invites you to the Los Angeles screening of When We Free The World on Friday, April 25, 2025!
Doors Open: 5:30pm,
Screening Begins: 6:30pm
Join us for a screening of When We Free The World, anew documentary film on Black manhood in America. The screening will be followed by a conversation with film producers Kevin Powell and Evangeline Lawson, moderated by Professor Marcus Anthony Hunter.
*Light refreshments will be available*
All are welcome, including the differently-abled/disabled
Free with RSVP: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/qd3grph/lp/06fb0751-0f88-4a8a-8edf-378ec497a72c

SINNERS: A Film Screening
2026-03-06 15:00 - 18:00 | Lani Hall, 445 Charles E. Young Dr East 2520 Schoenberg Music Building, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Join us for a special screening of Sinners, preceded by an intimate mini-panel on the rich, chilling history of Black Horror. From the shadows of the past to the hauntings of the present, we’re diving deep into the metaphors behind the monsters.

Afro-Indigenous Solidarity & the Power of Music
2026-04-23 16:00 - 17:30 | UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center—Optimist Room, 425 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Hosts:
Moderated & Co-Hosted by Professor Kyle T. Mays (UCLA)
Co-Hosted by Author & Professor, Bryce Henson (Texas A&M University)
Featuring Guest Speakers:
Bassist, Singer, & Composer, Esperanza Spalding
Vocalist, Actor, Activist, & Educator, Julia Keefe

Event Description:
In times of increased state violence, the arts and creative expression are needed more than ever. This conversation centers Black and Indigenous art, in particular music, to imagine how we might imagine and find moments of solidarity through art and culture. This conversation will feature Grammy award winning artist, Esperanza Spalding and Indigenous jazz vocalist, Julia Keefe, to reflect on the impotence and meaning of art in these times, and how art can serve as a source of solidarity between Black and Indigenous communities.

*Parking in UCLA Structure 8 available for pay-by-plate space
Seating is limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis

FILM SCREENING: The Cry Of Jazz
2026-05-07 15:00 - 16:30 | Kaplan Hall 193, Kaplan Hall 193, Los Angeles, CA, 90095
This documentary by Edward Bland frames jazz as a profound structural mirror of African American history. By interweaving scenes of urban life with intellectual debate, the film critiques the superficial appropriation of the art form and asserts that jazz is inseparable from its racial and cultural origins.

Department of African American Studies Commencement 2026
2026-06-13 11:30 - 13:30 | Fowler Auditorium, 308 Charles E Young Dr N, Los Angeles, CA, 90024
Celebrate Excellence: 2026 UCLA African American Studies Commencement
Join us for a momentous occasion as we honor the resilience, brilliance, and achievements of our graduating class. This year’s theme centers on “Honoring our Past, Empowering our Future,” celebrating the rich heritage and bright prospects of our scholars.
This ceremony is more than just a graduation; it is a community gathering. It’s a time for families, friends, and faculty to come together and recognize the profound academic journeys and cultural contributions of our students. Expect an afternoon filled with inspiring keynote speakers, traditional performances, and the official conferring of degrees.

Ticket Information
We know you’re eager to secure your seats! Please note the following:

Ticket Sales Open: Early May 2026.
How to Purchase: Links will be sent directly to graduating students’ UCLA emails and posted on the Department website.
Allocation: Each graduate will be guaranteed a base number of tickets, with a waitlist available for extras on a first-come, first-served basis.

*Note to Graduates: Ensure your contact information is updated in the MyUCLA portal to receive the registration link the moment it goes live.
