Give Back to UCLA Black Alumni Association
The UCLA Black Alumni Association and its various scholarships, funds, and events are powered by the generous contributions of our alumni, industry partners, and friends of the university. Your continued support enables us to assist high-achieving African American students in managing the ever-increasing costs of college tuition while providing quality programming for both our alumni members and undergraduate students at UCLA.
Our Impact: Preserving and Strengthening Black Excellence at UCLA
The UCLA Black Alumni Association is helping to preserve the legacy of African American students at UCLA. Through the efforts of former Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Winston C. Doby and since 2007, over 1,000 donors have participated in an effort that has raised nearly $15 million dollars. Over 1,100 students have benefited from this effort, receiving scholarships ranging from one-year awards of $1,000 to multi-year scholarships of up to $40,000. This effort has resulted in an increase in the admission numbers of students who have supported the advancement of the African American community through their service coming to UCLA since the devastating impact of Proposition 209.
Our Scholarship Programs:
1. UBAA Winston C. Doby Legacy Scholarship Fund Our flagship scholarship program honors the legacy of African American students at UCLA and provides substantial financial support to deserving students. UBAA has partnered with the California Community Foundation to manage our scholarship fund, allowing donors to make single or recurring contributions to support this vital effort. Click to donate.
2. "A Thousand for a 1000" Scholarship Drive This special initiative aims to bring together a thousand people contributing a thousand dollars each to reach our goal of one million dollars for the UCLA Black Alumni Legacy Scholarship. The money raised allows us to reward our best and brightest African American students for their hard work and helps UCLA recruit the best scholars in the world. Click to donate.
3. UCLA Black Alumni Association Scholarship Grants Program These scholarships provide financial assistance to Freshman, Transfer, Continuing, and Graduate students at UCLA, ranging from $500 to $1,000. Selection criteria include academic performance, financial need, and a commitment to community and educational involvement.
4. Leslie Orticke Memorial Scholarship This endowed scholarship honors the legacy of Leslie Orticke, a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.'s Pi Chapter at UCLA and the Century City Alumnae Chapter. Ms. Orticke dedicated her life to serving and supporting worthy causes, including twice serving as Chair of the UBAA Winston Doby Scholarship Gala. She also served in leadership roles with the Inglewood Pacific Chapter of the Links, Inc., the Commission on the Status of Women, the Los Angeles Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, the United Negro College Fund, and the Lullaby Guild. This scholarship continues her impressive legacy of philanthropy, volunteerism, and community service.
5. NSBE Bruin Alumni Scholarship Created in October 2021, this scholarship invests in the future by supporting current members of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) at UCLA. Through a partnership between NSBE-UCLA alumni, private donors, business partners, and UBAA under the Legacy Scholarship Program, this scholarship supports African American students (freshman and returning/transfer students) majoring in Engineering at UCLA. Scholarships range from $500 to $10,000 and may be awarded for up to 4 years for each student. NSBE Alumni at UCLA recognize that financial support for African American STEM students helps them get on the fast track to a rewarding career.
6. The Berky G. Nelson Memorial Student Scholarship This scholarship honors H. Viscount "Berky" Nelson, who served as a mentor, mediator, and role model for generations of students during his four-decade career at UCLA. Beginning in the late 1960s as director of campus programs and activities, Berky was a calming presence during turbulent times and a trusted adviser to student leaders and athletes. A scholar of American history, he taught classes for the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African-American Studies and authored several books on African American history and leadership. He retired from UCLA in 2014 as director of fraternity and sorority relations. This scholarship is bestowed to deserving African American incoming freshmen majoring in African American studies in Berky's honor. Click to donate.
7. The Lacey E. Wyatt Medical Student Scholarship This scholarship combats the negative impact Proposition 209 has had on the recruitment of underrepresented minority medical students. The UCLA/Charles Drew University Chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) at the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) has partnered with UBAA, engaging the Dean's office, the financial aid office, alumni, and faculty to establish this legacy scholarship. The late Dr. Lacey E. Wyatt was a leader in medical education at UCLA, a treasured mentor to trainees and junior faculty, and a devoted clinician working to improve the care of underserved populations in Los Angeles County. This scholarship funds medical education at the David Geffen School of Medicine for extraordinary incoming African American medical students. The goal is to raise $100,000 to endow the scholarship, with $500,000 needed to make the fund self-sustainable in providing financial support for four students. Click to donate.
8. Personal Endowment Scholarships UBAA offers alumni and members of the community an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy. You can endow a scholarship or start a fund in the name of a loved one, creating a permanent impact on future generations of Black Bruins.
How to Contribute:
Online Donations: Make a recurring or one-time tax-deductible donation through our secure online platform.
By Check: Make checks payable to: California Community Foundation
Include the specific scholarship name in the memo line:
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"UBAA Legacy Scholarship" (general fund)
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"UBAA Legacy Scholarships - Berky Nelson"
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"UBAA Legacy Scholarships - Lacey Wyatt"
Mail to: UBAA P.O. Box 83422 Los Angeles, CA 90083
Employer Matching: Inquire with your employer about Matching Donation Programs to double your impact.
Establish a New Scholarship: Contact the UBAA Board of Directors to establish a special scholarship, fund, or endowment.
We thank you in advance for all that you do for UBAA, whether through your financial contributions or your time. Together, we are building a stronger future for Black students at UCLA.