The 2007 African Black Coalition Conference

Friday, April 27, 2007 to Sunday, April 29, 2007
 

From Friday, April 27 to Sunday, April 29, 2007, faculty, staff and students of the Department of Black Studies and the Center for Black Studies Research were honored to be a part of the 4th annual African Black Coalition (ABC) Conference, which was held at UCSB for the first time. This year, the conference, which focuses on the development and success of Black students in all of the University of California undergraduate campuses, was attended by approximately five hundred students who represented nine of the ten UC campuses.

According to 2007 ABC Co-Chair Britney Foster, "This year’s African Black Coalition conference was a huge success due to the extremely dedicated and tireless efforts of the UCSB Black community. It was monumental and historical for UCSB to host such a significant number of students of African descent who came together for one common, positive, and proactive cause."

During the three-day conference, students attended workshops, panel discussions, and other informational sessions relating to academic growth, cultural development, and social and political issues. The conference also included men’s and women’s caucuses, which served as safe spaces for respective groups to meet and discuss important issues. The conference ended with all participants coming together to choose a critical issue for the African Black Coalition to focus on throughout the following academic year.

The African Black Coalition is an alliance of nine University of California undergraduate campuses. ABC has been an integral part of the African American experience on UC campuses for four consecutive years. As a coalition, the organization works toward improving conditions for students of African descent on each UC campus. The ABC Conferences are usually held on the last weekend in April, and the planning begins the summer before the conference. The African Black Coalition Conference rotates among the UC campuses annually. It has previously been held at the Santa Cruz, San Diego, and Davis campuses.