BLAC Organizations
100 Black College Women
A social support system for African American women to discuss issues which affect the community. This organization allows African American women to share their opinions and feelings about personal experiences while attempting to find ways to improve the experience of other African American women in general.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and is the first Black Greek intercollegiate organization. The fraternity strives in every positive endeavor and puts their focus in manly deeds, scholarship and love for all mankind. The Iota Psi chapter was chartered on August 5, 1974 and encompasses the campuses of California State Polytechnic University at Pomona, California State University at Fullerton, the University of California at Irvine and the Claremont Colleges.
Black Educated Men
The Black Educated Men (BE Men) organization is a Black male collective founded on the UC Irvine campus. Their goal is to provide an environment where members are educated academically, socially, spiritually, psychologically, physically and emotionally. BE Men strives for unity and members are dedicated to serving one another as well as those abroad.
Black Faculty and Staff Association
The Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) was established over thirty years ago to provide a forum for the advocacy and advancement of issues pertaining to faculty, staff and students of African descent at UC Irvine. BFSA promotes a sense of kinship among the African American community through its support of various campus activities that augment and compliment employment and scholarship at UCI.
Black Queer Collective
The Black Queer Collective (BQC) serves to provide a safe space for Black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students. BQC acknowledges the unique burden of challenging hetero-normative and homophobic practices within the Black community, while critiquing the neglect of the Black experience within the Queer community. Understanding the intersections of identity, BQC stands in solidarity against racism and homophobia.
Black Student Union
The Black Student Union (BSU) creates a supportive and inclusive community for Black students on campus. BSU strives to provide educational, cultural, and social programs that will inspire the community to take action through activism as well as outreach on and off campus. The organization serves as the umbrella for other Black organizations on campus, with the ultimate goal being to provide a welcoming and united space for the Black community while stimulating an awareness of political, economic and social forces affecting people of the African diaspora.
Christ Our Redeemer AME Church
Christ Our Redeemer (COR) Church was founded on the UC Irvine campus in January 2002. Although the COR is now located at 46 Maxwell Street in Irvine — it maintains its love and connection to the UCI community through its young adult ministry. COR West is a vibrant, young adult service held in the Cross Cultural Center on UCI’s campus Sundays at 1 pm. The service serves as a source of spiritual growth, healing and commitment for the African American and larger UCI community. COR West also hosts a bible study, CLUB 18:30, every Wednesday night at COR Church.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on the campus of Howard University in 1913, by twenty-two illustrious women dedicated to public service, scholarship and sisterhood. The high standards and ideals set forth by the founders have attracted over 250,000 women and over 900 chapters worldwide, making Delta Sigma Theta the largest international Black women’s organization in the world. The Xi Omega chapter was chartered on May 13, 1980 on the UCI campus. Its members, consisting of women of high character, integrity and great accomplishments, actively participate in service aimed at the advancement of the African American community.
Ele Si Rosa Parks House
The Ele Si Rosa Parks Theme House, sponsored by the African American Studies Department, is one of two houses sponsored by an ethnic studies department within the Arroyo Vista undergraduate housing community. Students living in the Rosa Parks House have the unique opportunity of living in a house that both celebrates Black history and encourages residents to learn and educate themselves about Black history. The Rosa Parks House also serves as a place where Black organizations can hold programs and host events. The House is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about Black history and the Black experience in America.
Ethiopian Student Association
The Ethiopian Student Association (ESA) is a collective of Ethiopian students with three purposes: create a support group for Ethiopian students at UC Irvine, proliferate Ethiopian culture throughout the campus and engage in philanthropic projects working towards the betterment of our shared homeland.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated was formed as a response to obstacles erected to prevent African American students from assimilating into campus life. Elder W. Diggs, Byron K. Armstrong and eight other Black students enrolled at Indiana University, created the organization to raise the sights of Black collegians and stimulate them to accomplishments higher than they might have imagined. Since the fraternity’s commencement in 1911, it has fashioned achievement as its purpose; uniting college men of culture, patriotism and honor in a bond of brotherhood. The local chapter located at the University of California, Irvine is the Lambda Beta chapter, chartered on January 9, 1982.
Minority Association of Pre-Health Students
The purpose of the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS) is to provide underrepresented students interested in the medical field with knowledge, skills and experiences that are both prerequisite and affiliated with the requirements for entry into health related professions. MAPS endeavors to educate its members, the campus community, and when possible, the surrounding community on issues related to the medical field and health care in minority communities.
National Society of Black Engineers
The National Society of Black Engineer’s (NSBE) mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community. NSBE is one of the largest student government organizations in the country — with more than 36,000 members and 394 chapters. NSBE also helps students get involved with internships and programs intended to provide them with opportunities after college.
Nigerian Student Association
The Nigerian Student Association (NSA) raises awareness of Nigerian heritage and culture, as well as, breaks down the ignorance/stereotypes about Nigerians/Africans by exposing members to a variety of other cultures. NSA’s programs include Annual Culture Show, movie nights, trivia nights, and other gatherings which highlight and expose the community to the Nigerian culture.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated was the first Greek-letter fraternity to be founded at a historically Black college. In 1911, the fraternity was founded at Howard University. Their purpose is to bring about a union of college men of similar high ideals of scholarship and manhood in order to stimulate the ambitions of its members, occupy a progressive and constructive place in the political life of the community and nation, foster humanity, freedom and dignity in its individual members and to achieve higher economic and intellectual status. The Phi Lambda chapter was chartered on November 3, 1980 and encompasses California State Polytechnic University at Pomona, California State University at Fullerton, the University of California at Irvine, Chapman University and the University of La Verne.
The West African Dance Group
The West African Dance Group (W.A.D.G.) of UCI was formed on the basis of creating cultural awareness through creative African dance and expression. This organization strives to incorporate traditional as well as modern African dance styles into their choreography, in hopes of bringing about a fresh sense of diversity through dance here on the UCI campus.
W.A.D.G. has performed for various events and shows that include performances to help raise awareness and/or funds towards issues such as helping fight diabetes, breast cancer, leukemia and other areas of health and cultural importance within our community.
A social support system for African American women to discuss issues which affect the community. This organization allows African American women to share their opinions and feelings about personal experiences while attempting to find ways to improve the experience of other African American women in general.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and is the first Black Greek intercollegiate organization. The fraternity strives in every positive endeavor and puts their focus in manly deeds, scholarship and love for all mankind. The Iota Psi chapter was chartered on August 5, 1974 and encompasses the campuses of California State Polytechnic University at Pomona, California State University at Fullerton, the University of California at Irvine and the Claremont Colleges.
Black Educated Men
The Black Educated Men (BE Men) organization is a Black male collective founded on the UC Irvine campus. Their goal is to provide an environment where members are educated academically, socially, spiritually, psychologically, physically and emotionally. BE Men strives for unity and members are dedicated to serving one another as well as those abroad.
Black Faculty and Staff Association
The Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) was established over thirty years ago to provide a forum for the advocacy and advancement of issues pertaining to faculty, staff and students of African descent at UC Irvine. BFSA promotes a sense of kinship among the African American community through its support of various campus activities that augment and compliment employment and scholarship at UCI.
Black Queer Collective
The Black Queer Collective (BQC) serves to provide a safe space for Black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students. BQC acknowledges the unique burden of challenging hetero-normative and homophobic practices within the Black community, while critiquing the neglect of the Black experience within the Queer community. Understanding the intersections of identity, BQC stands in solidarity against racism and homophobia.
Black Student Union
The Black Student Union (BSU) creates a supportive and inclusive community for Black students on campus. BSU strives to provide educational, cultural, and social programs that will inspire the community to take action through activism as well as outreach on and off campus. The organization serves as the umbrella for other Black organizations on campus, with the ultimate goal being to provide a welcoming and united space for the Black community while stimulating an awareness of political, economic and social forces affecting people of the African diaspora.
Christ Our Redeemer AME Church
Christ Our Redeemer (COR) Church was founded on the UC Irvine campus in January 2002. Although the COR is now located at 46 Maxwell Street in Irvine — it maintains its love and connection to the UCI community through its young adult ministry. COR West is a vibrant, young adult service held in the Cross Cultural Center on UCI’s campus Sundays at 1 pm. The service serves as a source of spiritual growth, healing and commitment for the African American and larger UCI community. COR West also hosts a bible study, CLUB 18:30, every Wednesday night at COR Church.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on the campus of Howard University in 1913, by twenty-two illustrious women dedicated to public service, scholarship and sisterhood. The high standards and ideals set forth by the founders have attracted over 250,000 women and over 900 chapters worldwide, making Delta Sigma Theta the largest international Black women’s organization in the world. The Xi Omega chapter was chartered on May 13, 1980 on the UCI campus. Its members, consisting of women of high character, integrity and great accomplishments, actively participate in service aimed at the advancement of the African American community.
Ele Si Rosa Parks House
The Ele Si Rosa Parks Theme House, sponsored by the African American Studies Department, is one of two houses sponsored by an ethnic studies department within the Arroyo Vista undergraduate housing community. Students living in the Rosa Parks House have the unique opportunity of living in a house that both celebrates Black history and encourages residents to learn and educate themselves about Black history. The Rosa Parks House also serves as a place where Black organizations can hold programs and host events. The House is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about Black history and the Black experience in America.
Ethiopian Student Association
The Ethiopian Student Association (ESA) is a collective of Ethiopian students with three purposes: create a support group for Ethiopian students at UC Irvine, proliferate Ethiopian culture throughout the campus and engage in philanthropic projects working towards the betterment of our shared homeland.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated was formed as a response to obstacles erected to prevent African American students from assimilating into campus life. Elder W. Diggs, Byron K. Armstrong and eight other Black students enrolled at Indiana University, created the organization to raise the sights of Black collegians and stimulate them to accomplishments higher than they might have imagined. Since the fraternity’s commencement in 1911, it has fashioned achievement as its purpose; uniting college men of culture, patriotism and honor in a bond of brotherhood. The local chapter located at the University of California, Irvine is the Lambda Beta chapter, chartered on January 9, 1982.
Minority Association of Pre-Health Students
The purpose of the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS) is to provide underrepresented students interested in the medical field with knowledge, skills and experiences that are both prerequisite and affiliated with the requirements for entry into health related professions. MAPS endeavors to educate its members, the campus community, and when possible, the surrounding community on issues related to the medical field and health care in minority communities.
National Society of Black Engineers
The National Society of Black Engineer’s (NSBE) mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community. NSBE is one of the largest student government organizations in the country — with more than 36,000 members and 394 chapters. NSBE also helps students get involved with internships and programs intended to provide them with opportunities after college.
Nigerian Student Association
The Nigerian Student Association (NSA) raises awareness of Nigerian heritage and culture, as well as, breaks down the ignorance/stereotypes about Nigerians/Africans by exposing members to a variety of other cultures. NSA’s programs include Annual Culture Show, movie nights, trivia nights, and other gatherings which highlight and expose the community to the Nigerian culture.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated was the first Greek-letter fraternity to be founded at a historically Black college. In 1911, the fraternity was founded at Howard University. Their purpose is to bring about a union of college men of similar high ideals of scholarship and manhood in order to stimulate the ambitions of its members, occupy a progressive and constructive place in the political life of the community and nation, foster humanity, freedom and dignity in its individual members and to achieve higher economic and intellectual status. The Phi Lambda chapter was chartered on November 3, 1980 and encompasses California State Polytechnic University at Pomona, California State University at Fullerton, the University of California at Irvine, Chapman University and the University of La Verne.
The West African Dance Group
The West African Dance Group (W.A.D.G.) of UCI was formed on the basis of creating cultural awareness through creative African dance and expression. This organization strives to incorporate traditional as well as modern African dance styles into their choreography, in hopes of bringing about a fresh sense of diversity through dance here on the UCI campus.
W.A.D.G. has performed for various events and shows that include performances to help raise awareness and/or funds towards issues such as helping fight diabetes, breast cancer, leukemia and other areas of health and cultural importance within our community.