EmPower Hour

EmPower Hour programs invite UCLA alumni, faculty and staff to come together and delve into various social issues affecting our local and global communities. These programs serve as a space for alumni to engage in thought-provoking discussions with content experts and explore strategies to inspire action towards building a more equitable and inclusive world. Whether you're a seasoned advocate, a concerned community member, or someone eager to learn more, EmPower Hour events offer a valuable opportunity to deepen our shared understanding of pressing issues and connect with others committed to creating positive change.

EmPower Hour Playlist

Recent EmPower Hour Programs

On April 9, 2025, UCLA Alumni Diversity Programs & Initiatives hosted EmPower Hour: Smart Girl — The Power of First-Gen Stories with La’Tonya Rease Miles, M.A. ’99, Ph.D. ’04. This hybrid book talk explored themes of identity, resilience, and storytelling in the first-generation college experience, drawing from Dr. Miles’ personal journey and her book Smart Girl. The event welcomed students, educators, and allies committed to fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments.

Listen to the recording above to hear the full conversation.

A promotional recap graphic for EmPower Hour: Fostering Civic Engagement and Dialogue in a Time of Political Polarization, hosted by UCLA Alumni Diversity Programs & Initiatives. The top of the image features the UCLA Alumni logo and event title in bold white text on a blue gradient background. Below, five featured speakers are displayed in individual framed headshots with their names and titles: Natalie Samarjian ’06, J.D. ’12 – President & CEO, Coro Southern California (Moderator) Dr. Celia Lacayo ’01, M.A. ’03 – Assistant Director, UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Dr. Claudia Sandoval ’06 – UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute Maia Ferdman ’15, M.A. ’15 – Deputy Director, UCLA Bedari Kindness Institute Vincent Harris ’78 – Project Director, Empowerment Congress Below, two sections highlight key takeaways. The "Discussion & Insight" section lists: Dialogue unites us Civic engagement matters Stories inspire action Listen with empathy Change starts locally Hope fuels progress The "Continue the Conversation" section includes UCLA Alumni’s social media handle (@uclaalumni), email (diversity@alumni.ucla.edu), and website (alumni.ucla.edu). The bottom right displays event details: Sept. 12, 6–9 p.m. EMPOWER HOUR.

On Sept. 12, 2024, UCLA Alumni Diversity Programs & Initiatives, in collaboration with Coro Southern California and the Western Justice Center, hosted EmPower Hour: Fostering Civic Engagement and Dialogue in a Time of Political Polarization. The event featured discussions with distinguished alumni panelists on civic leadership, political discourse and strategies for engaging across differences.

A recap graphic for EmPower Hour: Conversations on Black Mental Health and Community Wellness, hosted by UCLA Alumni Diversity Programs & Initiatives. The UCLA Alumni logo is at the top left, with the event title in bold white text on a blue gradient background. Below, two featured speakers are displayed in individual framed headshots with their names and titles: Nicole Presley (Green), Ph.D. – Senior Executive Director, UCLA Student Resilience and Mental Health Services Tanya Brown, Ph.D. – Training Director, UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services Two sections highlight key takeaways. The "Discussion & Insight" section lists: Normalize mental health Encourage seeking help Community strengthens well-being Culture fosters resilience Holistic wellness matters Dialogue empowers change The "Continue the Conversation" section provides UCLA Alumni’s social media handle (@uclaalumni), email (diversity@alumni.ucla.edu), and website (alumni.ucla.edu). The bottom right corner displays the event date and time: Feb. 27, 7–9 p.m. EMPOWER HOUR.

On Feb. 27, 2024, UCLA Alumni Diversity Programs & Initiatives, in partnership with the UCLA Black Bruin Resource Center and the UCLA Black Alumni Association, hosted EmPower Hour: Conversations on Black Mental Health and Community Wellness. The event featured a discussion with Dr. Nicole Presley and Dr. Tanya Brown on reducing stigma, promoting holistic well-being, and fostering community support.

A recap graphic for EmPower Hour: Beyond the Screen, Amplifying Voices of Women of Color in Entertainment, hosted by UCLA Alumni Diversity Programs & Initiatives. The UCLA Alumni logo is at the top left, with the event title in bold white text on a blue gradient background. Below, two featured speakers are displayed in individual framed headshots with their names and titles: Kai Bowe ’94 – Emmy-nominated showrunner and Oprah Winfrey Network executive Adriane Hopper-Williams ’94 – Emmy and Gracie award-winning executive producer Two sections highlight key takeaways. The "Discussion & Insight" section lists: Representation matters Equity in entertainment Inclusive storytelling Breaking barriers Leadership in media Future of diversity The "Continue the Conversation" section provides UCLA Alumni’s social media handle (@uclaalumni), email (diversity@alumni.ucla.edu), and website (alumni.ucla.edu). The bottom right corner displays the event date and time: Nov. 8, 6:30–8:30 p.m. EMPOWER HOUR.

On Nov. 8, 2023, UCLA Alumni Diversity Programs & Initiatives hosted EmPower Hour: Beyond the Screen, Amplifying Voices of Women of Color in Entertainment at the James West Alumni Center. The event featured a discussion with Emmy-nominated showrunner Kai Bowe and Emmy and Gracie award-winning executive producer Adriane Hopper-Williams on inclusive storytelling, industry equity, and representation in film and television.

On May 18, 2023, UCLA Alumni Diversity Programs & Initiatives hosted Empower Hour: Journey Back – It’s Never Too Late to Complete Your Degree at the James West Alumni Center. The event featured a panel discussion with Anthony Padilla (Class of ’20), A.R. Mateo (Class of ’07), Nicole Pressley (Green), Ph.D., Senior Executive Director of UCLA Student Resilience and Mental Health Services, Vivian Salazar, Director of College Counseling at the UCLA Academic Advancement Program, and Dr. La’Tonya Rease Miles, Director of University Partnerships at ReUp Education, on re-enrollment strategies, available support resources, and the unique paths alumni take to complete their degrees.

EmPower Hour Audio Recording

Listen to EmPower Hour: Journey Back, It's Never Too Late to Complete Your Degree

Listen
EmPower Hour: UCLA's Efforts to Become a Hispanic-Serving Institution

Featured speakers Anna Spain Bradley, Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Dr. Elizabeth Gonzalez ‘09, the inaugural Director of the Hispanic-Serving Institution at UCLA, discuss UCLA’s current progress toward becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution and how this aligns with a vision for equity on campus and beyond. UCLA Alumni Diversity Programs & Initiatives is proud to co-sponsor this event with the UCLA Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office, the UCLA Hispanic-Serving Institution and the UCLA Latino Alumni Association. To learn about UCLA’s pursuit of the Hispanic-Serving Institution designation please see the Chancellor’s message, the Hispanic-Serving Institution taskforce’s report, and the announcement of Dr. Gonzalez’s position. Read more information on the UC system’s Hispanic-Serving Institution efforts and the White House Initiative.

EmPower Hour: BIPOC Women Reframing Self-Care for Community Activism

The 2021 EmPower Hour series focuses on alumni reflections on activism. From student activism to protests, this series will dive into the lived experiences of our alumni guests and offer participants an opportunity to reflect on their own activism practices.

UCLA Diversity Programs & Initiatives and UCLA Mixed Alumni Association is proud to present "BIPOC Women Reframing Self-Care for Community Activism." In this session, BIPOC alumnae discuss self care, mental health and how BIPOC women are reframing the idea of self care to be activists for their communities.

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