5: The Pandemic, BBRC & Me: A Non-Linear Path to Fostering Community and Building the UCLA Black Bruin Resource Center

In this chapter, the author presents their experiences as the Director of a Black/African American Cultural Center on a university campus. The chapter explores how the author’s identities shaped their leadership approaches to foster community, centering students’ needs, engaging campus partners, and the many valuable lessons learned along the way. The chapter walks you through the history of Black Cultural Centers and the steps taken to ultimately create a Black Resource/Cultural Center on a college campus. The chapter culminates in a final lesson from the author.