Blacklimated in one of the retention initiatives launched through Project Lumina. As an
intervention, the class has been designed specifically for first year (freshmen and transfers)
African American men at UCLA. It seeks to provide a space for participants to engage one
another in meaningful dialogue that is relevant to the individual and collective experiences of
transitioning into UCLA. The class provides both a safe space for the sharing out of African
American male experiences and critical thinking arena to unpack those experiences and foster
clarity and understanding. The curriculum is designed to introduce participants to a number
of pertinent resources that help establish a community for empowerment and successful
navigation of UCLA.

Project Lumina is the BMI initiative to critically examine Black male retention at UCLA.
The project provides a venue to unpack the experiences of Black men at UCLA to further
scholarly dialogue on African American male retention and engagement in predominately white
institutions of higher education. Project Lumina uses a research-practitioner based model to
assess the needs of African American male students and implement retention initiatives.

Davontae Nathaniel Foxx-Drew
2nd year
African- American Studies major with a concentration in Sociology
    
“Last year I participated in the Black Male Institute class “Blacklimated” and that has led me to want to continue to be a part of the BMI program. The “Blacklimated” class allowed me to interact with other first year Black males on campus that took part in the class as well. Along with connecting with different first year African American males, I was also able to learn about the hidden curriculum of UCLA and meet different prominent African American males on campus. This year I will partake in being a member of the BMI research team as research assistant and look forward to picking up where BMI left off last year.”









Randy Boykins
4th year
African-American Studies and International Development Studies double major, Education minor

“Ahead of only Native Americans, African-American Males are disproportionately pushed out of the educational pipelines at varying levels. Throughout my time at UCLA I have devoted myself to learning about educational inequalities as well as working with students in schools to increase their access to the university. When the opportunity to do research with the Black Male Institute I saw it as a natural progression to finally be able to tell the story presented by the data on Black male access and retention in the university to the many different stakeholders in hopes that we can begin creating policy changes to correct an educational injustice.”









Will Daniel Edem
2nd year
Business Economics major

“ My main reason for becoming apart of the Black Male Institute team this year is because I was apart of the program last year as a student in the “Blacklimated” Course. Once I finished the course I knew this was something I would love to be involved with. In addition to that I feel that it is my duty to not only better myself but also those around me. The Black Male Institute is a vessel through which I see myself accomplishing this life long goal. Finally, this is an opportunity for me to become more familiar with faculty at UCLA and conduct research with a topic I feel passionate about! ”










Ashley V. Williams
4th year
Afro-American Studies major, English Concentration, Education minor

“ I joined BMI because I have seen too many Black male students struggle and give up on their education. I believe that BMI's initiatives to understand why this happens and share its research is imperative so that, not just the Black community, but everyone can be aware of the obstacles that face Black male students and work to support them. ”












Timothy Ojetunde
4th year
Sociology major

“ The reason why I joined BMI is to gain a better understanding of the lack of black males in higher education; and also to come up with solutions to address this important topic. ”













Sammy Tmariam
4th year
African American Studies major, Film and Television Concentration

Took part in 2010 BMI Lumina Class . 2011-2012 Research Assistant for Lumina Project.













Tony Carthen
4th year
Psychobiology major

“I became interested in the prospects of the Black Male Institute to study the aspects of the Black male experience in higher education. My goals consist of increasing retention rates by raising resource awareness, conducting educational events to promote social inclusion, and partaking in research designed to foster the progression of Black male academic success and their growth as individuals.”











Brent Eli McCloud
4th year
Sociology major

“Reasons for getting involved with BMI: 1. To contribute to a cause greater than myself, aimed at aiding the successful matriculation of young African American males in a system of education that presents consistent impediments and obstacles in their paths. 2. To as a unit with my fellow Black students, play my part in constructing a legacy for African American undergraduates at UCLA that is instrumental in leaving this place of learning more accessible, welcoming, and beneficial for them and their future endeavors.3. I feel a specific calling to act as a role model for African American youth growing up in today’s unrelenting society. Then the question arises, how can one effectively and positively role model for a group of individuals whom he does not have a detailed and definite understanding of? Learning more about the life and times of the young black male will lead me into becoming a more prominent role model!”