Black Excellence Symposium

Black Excellence Symposium

 

The Black Excellence Symposium is a collaboration with Student Affairs. The event stems from Valuing Black Lives Initiatives and its objectives are to create more awareness, language, and infrastructure that includes/supports Black culture and identity at UC Merced. The event brings together and highlights the work of UC Merced stakeholders on topics related to advancing Black excellence, Black liberation, and racial justice.

 

The 2025-2026 Black Excellence Symposium was held on Saturday, February 21st

Click here for 2025-2026 Highlights!

Promotional flyer for the Black Excellence Symposium at UC Merced. The design uses purple and gold colors with a large group photo in the center overlaid with the title “BLACK EXCELLENCE SYMPOSIUM.” Logos for EJIE (Equity, Justice & Inclusive Excellence), UC Merced Center for Educational Partnerships, and the Black Student Union appear across the top. The flyer invites scholars, practitioners, students, and community leaders to participate in an event focused on uplifting voices, fostering dialogue, and sharing expertise and lived experiences related to Black excellence. A “Save the Date” section lists the event date as Saturday, February 21, 2026, and provides the contact email ejie@ucmerced.edu. A statement at the bottom notes that the University of California does not discriminate or grant preferences based on protected characteristics and that the symposium is open to people of all identities.

Promotional flyer for the Black Excellence Symposium 2026 at UC Merced with a purple, gold, and cream color scheme. The flyer announces a Call for Proposals and invites scholars, practitioners, artists, and community leaders to submit presentations, workshops, panels, or creative projects that celebrate Black achievement, address current challenges, and inspire future generations. The flyer highlights proposal topics including Black identity and representation, mental health and wellness, education and student success, activism and social justice, entrepreneurship and innovation, and community empowerment. It notes that submissions may be research-based, experiential, or creative and should equip attendees with tools for success and societal change. The right side features a UC Merced graphic with raised fists symbolizing solidarity and a section describing the types of presentations being sought. The lower left includes a group photo of previous Black Excellence Symposium participants. The bottom of the flyer lists the submission deadline of January 25 and includes a QR code for proposal submissions. Logos for the UC Merced Center for Educational Partnerships (CEP), UC Merced Black Student Union, and the Office of Equity, Justice, & Inclusive Excellence (EJIE) appear at the bottom, along with a statement that the University of California does not discriminate or grant preferences based on protected characteristics and that the symposium is open to people of all identities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories. All EJIE events and programs are open to people of all identities.