African, Black, and Caribbean Alumni Reunion Weekend
ABC Alumni Reunion Weekend Activities
Get ready for a dynamic and joy-filled weekend during the African, Black, Caribbean (ABC) Alumni Reunion, where we’ve curated a wide range of activities to connect, celebrate, and reflect — with something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with old friends, engage in meaningful dialogue, or just vibe to good music, this reunion has it all.
All ABC Reunion guests are also invited to participate in the full Return to the Redwoods weekend programming. Check out the Return to the Redwoods Weekend Schedule to see everything that’s happening!
Reflections, Resilience, and Responsibility: Alumni Panel
Rachel Carson Classroom 240
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Join us for an engaging and heartfelt panel conversation that brings together African, Black, and Caribbean alumni across generations to share their lived experiences, insights, and visions for the future. This intergenerational dialogue will explore the evolution of the Black student experience—from navigating campus life to fostering community and identity—through the voices of those who lived it in different eras. Panelists will offer generational wisdom, reflect on the challenges and triumphs of their time, and discuss actionable ways alumni can continue to make a meaningful impact on current and future students. Whether you’re a recent grad or a trailblazer from decades past, this conversation is an opportunity to connect, learn, and envision how we can collectively uplift our communities and leave a lasting legacy.
Cost: Included with ABC Reunion Pass
Belonging & Beyond:
A Celebration of Alumni and Identity
Location TBA
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Join us for a special Alumni Luncheon hosted by the UC Santa Cruz Resource Centers, including the African American Resource and Cultural Center, American Indian Resource Center, Asian American/Pacific Islander Resource Center, Cantú Queer Resource Center, El Centro, and the Women’s Center.
This gathering is an opportunity to reconnect, reflect, and celebrate the vibrant communities that helped shape your UCSC experience. Enjoy a delicious meal, build intergenerational connections, and learn how the Resource Centers continue to foster equity, inclusion, and belonging on campus.
Cost: Included with ABC Reunion Pass
ABC-Affiliated Housing
Campus Walk
Meet at Stevenson
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Embark on a guided walking tour of UC Santa Cruz’s African, Black, and Caribbean (ABC) Themed Housing Communities, designed to immerse participants in the vibrant living-learning environments that celebrate the rich cultural heritage and experiences of ABC students.
This informative tour will highlight key residential communities and provide insight into how these communities, connected to the Office of African, Black, Caribbean (ABC) Student Success and the African American Resource & Cultural Center, intentionally create spaces where students feel connected, safer, and supported.
This walking tour is an excellent opportunity for alumni to experience firsthand the supportive environments that contribute to the success and well-being of ABC students at UC Santa Cruz.
Cost: Included with ABC Reunion Pass
Glimpses of the Black Student Experience Film Screening
Oakes Classroom 105
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Join us for an afternoon film screening of “Glimpses of the Black Student Experience” — two student-produced documentaries, created 25 years apart, that explore the lived realities of Black students at UC Santa Cruz.
The original film, produced in 2000, captures voices, struggles, and moments of resilience during a pivotal time for the campus’s African, Black, and Caribbean community. The 2025 remake, reimagined by a new generation of student filmmakers, revisits these themes through a contemporary lens — honoring the past while shedding light on the present-day experiences of Black students navigating higher education.
This intergenerational screening invites viewers to witness how much has changed — and how much remains — in the ongoing pursuit of equity, belonging, and joy. Come celebrate then and now — and the voices that continue to shape the legacy of Black student life at UCSC.
Cost: Included with ABC Reunion Pass
ABC Reunion Barbeque
Oakes Lawn
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Fire up the good vibes and join us for an outdoor BBQ celebration of community, culture, and connection on the beautiful Oakes Lawn!
Come enjoy delicious BBQ eats, soak up the sunshine, and dance to the sounds of our live DJ spinning everything from classic throwbacks to afrobeats. This casual, high-energy gathering is the perfect chance to reconnect with fellow African, Black, and Caribbean alumni, faculty and staff, and celebrate our shared UCSC legacy — slug style. Be sure to arrive early to pick up your custom ABC Reunion t-shirt!
Cost: Included with ABC Reunion Pass
Rooted in Legacy Evening Mixer
Museum of Art & History (Downtown Santa Cruz)
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Close out the day in style at the ABC Alumni Evening Mixer — a vibrant celebration of the African, Black, and Caribbean alumni community held at the distinguished Museum of Art & History (MAH) in downtown Santa Cruz.
Put on your best cocktail attire and join fellow African, Black, and Caribbean alumni for an elegant evening of elevated conversation, community, and connection. The program will feature hearty hors d’oeuvres, signature cocktails, and a curated presentation that honors the legacy, contributions, and continued impact of ABC alumni at UC Santa Cruz and beyond. This gathering offers a refined yet welcoming atmosphere to reconnect with fellow alumni, reflect on shared experiences, and celebrate the future we are shaping together.
Note: Transportation not included:
Cost: Included with ABC Reunion Pass
More details about other activities coming soon!
Off-Campus Accommodations
Interested in staying off-campus? Check out the special rates at local hotels:
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
Start Date: Friday, August 15, 2025
End Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025
- ABC Alumni Reunion Rate = 294.00 USD per night
Last Day to Book: Wednesday, July 16th, 2025
Booking Link for Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley UCSC Return to Redwoods Alumni Weekend
Group Code: 90Z
Guests can also make their reservations on-line by using the following instructions:
- Go to www.santacruzscottsvalley.hilton.com
- Enter the dates of their stay
- Click the “Special Rates ” button
- Enter 90Z in the “Group Code” field
- Click the “Check Rooms & Rates” button, and reserve!
Please note, do not book through any of the following channels:
- Advance Purchase Reservation through Hilton
- Point Redemption Reservation through Hilton
- Third Party booking sites such as: Expedia, Booking.com, Travelocity, Etc.
Reservations made through any of these booking channels will not be able to receive the block discount.
Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West
Start Date: Friday, August 15, 2025
End Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025
- ABC Alumni Reunion Rate = 279.00 USD per night
Last Day to Book: Monday, July 21, 2025
Book your group rate at Hampton Inn for UCSC ABC Alumni Reunion
FAQs
Who is the ABC Alumni Reunion for?
The African, Black, Caribbean (ABC) Alumni Reunion is a celebration of the experiences, contributions, and legacy of ABC-identifying alumni. While the event centers the voices and stories of the ABC community, all alumni, students, staff, faculty, and friends are welcome to attend.
The ABC Reunion is being held in conjunction with Return to the Redwoods, offering even more opportunities to connect, explore campus, and celebrate together. We encourage you to participate in both ABC-specific gatherings and broader Return to the Redwoods events throughout the weekend.
Are there payment plan options available for the ABC Alumni Reunion registration fee?
A 25% deposit is due at the time of registration. The remaining balance must be paid in full by August 1. Registrations not paid in full by this date will be canceled and refunded.
We’re committed to making this celebration accessible and inclusive. If cost is a concern, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Sydne Raiyn at sraiyn@ucsc.edu—support is available, and we’re happy to work with you.
Why is there a separate ABC Reunion Pass and programming?
The African, Black, and Caribbean (ABC) Reunion was developed in collaboration with a committee of ABC-identified alumni and the African American Resource and Cultural Center at UC Santa Cruz. The goal is to create intentional spaces for ABC alumni to connect, celebrate, and reflect on their experiences—past, present, and future.
All events, including ABC Reunion activities, are open to all alumni regardless of identity. The separate pass helps us plan for meals, materials, and space, and ensures we can support both the ABC Reunion and Return to the Redwoods experiences fully.
Our intention is to foster both community and connection—through shared celebration and identity-affirming spaces.
For more general event info, check out the Return to the Redwoods FAQ.
Any other questions? Feel free to reach out to us at reunions@ucsc.edu