Highlights and Events
University Diversity Council Calendar
Please check out the University Diversity Council (UDC) calendar. If there is an event you would like to add to the UDC calendar, please create an event on your/your departmental calendar and add udc@pepperdine.edu as a guest. You may also reach out to us by email at udc@pepperdine.edu or belonging@pepperdine.edu. We look forward to spreading the word about our DEI events on a larger scale.
Learn more about the University Diversity Council.
2025 Events
DUNAMIS Graduate Luncheon
April 15, 2025 | Noon–1:30 PM
The Villa Executive Dining Room, Drescher
The purpose of this annual luncheon is to celebrate those graduate students who have overcome (i.e., slayed) obstacles (i.e., their Goliaths) to complete their degrees. This is a celebration of students' triumphs across each of our graduate schools.
Registration details coming soon.
2024 Events
Bridging Divides: Facilitating Meaningful Dialogue in Polarizing Times
Featured Speaker | La’Nita Johnson (’14), founder and CEO of iluminada+ consulting co.
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Fostering constructive dialogue in the Pepperdine community is a high priority. Polarization, particularly in higher education, is on the rise. This webinar equipped faculty and staff with practical tools to recognize and navigate polarization effectively.
Larry Donnell Kimmons Memorial Lecture Series | "The Power of Stories: Research, Discovery, Understanding, and Transformation" Featuring Tessa Updike
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
The annual Larry Donnell Kimmons Memorial Lecture Series was established to honor the memory of the 15-year-old African American high school student, fatally shot by George Pepperdine College campus security on the evening of March 12, 1969, after visiting the South Los Angeles school to play basketball in the campus gymnasium.
Intimate Conversation | The Emancipation of Music: From Spirituals to Hip Hop
Featured Speakers | Mathew Knowles and Kenny Lattimore
Wednesday, February 15, 2024
The Pepperdine community was invited to an intimate conversation with Mathew Knowles, record executive and former manager for daughters Beyoncé and Solange Knowles. Also featuring Grammy Award nominee singer-songwriter Kenny Lattimore, the discussion explored the global impact of musical contributions by African Americans.
Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom | An Evening of Community Discover and Dialogue
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Attendees enjoyed a screening of the multi-award-winning documentary Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom, with filmmaker Rasool Berry, on history, hope, and faith. This film shared Rasool Berry’s journey through Texas as he engaged with descendants of those emancipated from slavery on June 19, 1865. A discussion with Rasool Berry, along with Pepperdine faculty across our five schools, followed.
Resources for Black History Month
Pepperdine invites everyone to engage in events and activities offered by our various schools and departments during Black History Month — See last year's happenings.
Other resources include a virtual Black History bookshelf created in cooperation with Pepperdine Libraries and also historic materials in the Special Collections and University Archives for celebrating Black History
Month and honoring Black heritage.
Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month
This virtual Hispanic History bookshelf created in cooperation with Pepperdine Libraries contains resources for learning more
about National Hispanic Heritage Month which honors the cultures and contributions
of both Hispanic and Latino Americans.
Resources for Juneteenth
This virtual Juneteenth bookshelf created in cooperation with Pepperdine Libraries contains resources for learning
more about Juneteenth.
Resources for Effective Allyship
This virtual Allyship bookshelf created in cooperation with Pepperdine Libraries contains resources for becoming a more effective ally for Pepperdine community members.