DAPM Celebrates January & February Observations
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an annual federal holiday on the third Monday in January that honors national civil rights leader and nonviolent activist, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Designated as a national day of service, the holiday encourages all Americans to embody Dr. King’s actions by finding ways to improve our communities and advance civil rights, equality, and justice.
Here are some ways to celebrate:
Attend Commemorative Events: Many communities organize parades, lectures, and other events that celebrate Dr. King’s life and message. We encourage you to keep a look out for opportunities within the UCLA community and the greater Los Angeles area.
Let us celebrate Black History Month by remembering and honoring the past, present and future contributions that Black Americans have made to our institution, communities, country and world.
This year’s national theme for 2024, “African Americans and the Arts,” acknowledges the paramount influence African American art has had in the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression. For centuries Western intellectuals denied or minimized the contributions of people of African descent to the arts as well as history, even as their artistry in many genres was mimicked and/or stolen. In celebrating the entire history of African Americans and the arts, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) puts into the national spotlight the richness of the past and present with an eye towards what the rest of the twenty-first century will bring.
We invite you to attend a virtual tour that celebrates and honors African heritage and its influence in Latin America, hosted by the Museum of Latin American Art: I AM AFRO-LATINX - MOLAA’s Afro-Latinx Expert Led Exhibition, taking place Thursday, February 1st, 2024 from 12 – 1pm. Event registration can be found here. This event is sponsored by the Office for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at DGSOM.
Be sure to check out the calendar of events celebrating Black History Month throughout Los Angeles!
We also encourage you to learn more about our institution's efforts to effect positive change in our organization and community with guidance from:
- The Office of Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- The Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- The Health Equity Translational Social Science Research Theme
- The Anti-Racism Roadmap
Student-Led Communities and Affinity Groups
Lunar New Year
Celebrate the strength and courage of the dragon in 2024! Lunar New Year is one of the biggest international holidays with over 2 billion people across the globe celebrating new beginnings. The start of the holiday is determined by the lunar calendar — the cycles of the moon's phases. This year, Lunar New Year begins on Saturday, February 10 and is the Year of the Dragon.
Lunar New Year celebrations usually take place over multiple days; the length varies for every culture. In China, Lunar New Year is also known as Spring Festival or Chūnjié. South Korea (Seollal), Vietnam (Tết), Mongolia (Tsagaan Sar) and many other Asian countries and regions celebrate the holiday. Lunar New Year is typically celebrated with traditional foods, family gatherings, festivals and ceremonies.
Every Lunar New Year correlates to one animal and its characteristics from the Chinese zodiac, which is a cycle of 12 years and 12 animals. In 2024 we welcome the Year of the Dragon, an animal attributed with profound strength and courage. Those born during a Year of the Dragon are recognized for their confidence, leadership capabilities and bold willingness to embrace risks. No matter which Chinese zodiac you are, anticipate 2024 to unfold with a promise of prosperity and hope.
Be sure to check out the calendar of events celebrating the Lunar New Year throughout Los Angeles!
We also encourage you to be on the look out for events taking place within the UCLA community to commemorate the Lunar New Year!