On the first day of Black History Month, Monday (Feb. 1), UC President Michael V. Drake shared a video message honoring “the Black workers, scholars, artists and activities who have propelled our university and the world forward.”

“Throughout UC’s history, Black alumni, faculty and students have been integral to our excellence, making pioneering advances in science, medicine, the humanities, the law and other fields,” said Drake, who goes on to discuss Ralph J. Bunche, Annie Virginia Stephens Coker, Roy Overstreet, Barbara Christian, and the UC students who organized and marched ti fight racial discrimination in housing and employment, and to demand equal rights for all.

Also Monday, the Sacramento Kings announced their selection of Chancellor Gary S. May to receive one of the basketball team’s 2021 Dream All-Star Awards honoring Black community leaders during Black History Month.

The Kings asked each of this year’s four Dream All-Stars to nominate a young person or mentee to share the honor, as someone who is also making a difference in the community. Chancellor May chose Mahiri Moore Jr., a first-year student majoring in communication, founder of Moore Truth More Change.

Read more about Moore in this month’s “Chancell-ing” column, to be published later this week by the Davis Enterprise and posted later to the UC Davis website. The chancellor will be addressing Black History Month and the importance of mentors and role models.

Look for a shout-out to Chancellor May and Moore on the Kings’ social media channels Thursday, Feb. 18: @SacramentoKings.

The Dream All-Stars program is one element of the Kings’ 21st annual Black History Month celebration. Building upon the pillars of the organization’s “Pledge to Our Black Community,” this year’s programming also includes:

• Dialogues with players, coaches and broadcasters about social justice and advancing racial equality, plus personal experiences.
• Virtual Studio Session featuring America’s Got Talent Season 15 winner Brandon Leake, a spoken word artist from Stockton.
• Financial Education Workshop for college students.

“We are committed to standing in solidarity with our community and working with those who are fighting tirelessly to be the change they want to see in the world,” Kings Chief Operating Officer Matina Kolokotronis said in a news release. “We remain dedicated to working with our partners to ensure that we have better days ahead — leading by example and using our platform to do good, amplifying diverse voices and investing in Black youth.”

Read the Sacramento Kings news release.