All Events
Cup of Culture
Tangerine: Screening and Discussion
Lex Brand, Vivianna Valle Gomez
MCC Theater
Join us for a screening of Tangerine, a bold and vibrant film that follows two trans sex workers, Sin-Dee and Alexandra, over the course of one explosive Christmas Eve in Los Angeles. Just released from prison, Sin-Dee discovers her pimp boyfriend has been cheating on her. With Alexandra by her side, the two set off on a wild journey through the streets and subcultures of LA to uncover the truth.
Following the screening, join Viviana Valle Gomez of the Women’s Center and Lex Brand of RCSGD for a 30-minute discussion focused on the real-life experiences of trans sex workers, the challenges they face, and the alarming rise in transphobic violence.
This event will run for two hours (1.5-hour film + 30-minute discussion). Light refreshments and sexual health goodie bags will be provided.
Lex Brand, MS, LMFT (she/her, UCSB Alum ’13) is a licensed psychotherapist and Assistant Director of Student Support & Advocacy at UCSB’s Resource Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity (RCSGD). Lex specializes in intersectional trauma recovery and support for women, trans, and queer communities. Her professional training includes transgender affirming care, internal family systems (IFS), mindful self-compassion, domestic violence/sexual assault recovery, mindfulness meditation, and 200-hr yoga teacher training.
As the Associate Director of Women, Gender, and Sexual Equity, Viviana Valle Gomez (all gender pronouns) is dedicated to bridging the gap between scholarship and activism, recognizing the immense potential of combining rigorous academic insights with tangible on-the-ground experience and strategy. Viviana has spent the past ten years sharpening a feminist approach to critique the historical and philosophical frameworks that our society is built on.
Co-Sponsors: Women's Center & RCGSD
Race and Literature
Survival is a Shared Story
Lexxus Coffey Edison
MCC Lounge
Join us for a writing workshop with doctoral candidate Lexxus Edison as we explore how creative writing and poetry are powerful tools for self-expression. Basing the conversation on the work of Octavia E. Butler, we highlight how works like Fledgling and Parable of the Sower have explored current moments of climate grief, racial injustice, and the ultimate hunger for collective care. The first half of this event is lecture-based and will explore how powerful literature and poetry can move collective thinking. Following, we’ll create space for participants to engage and hone their writing skills with a creative workshop guided by Lexxus. Dinner will be included!
Lexxus Edison is a PhD Candidate at UC Santa Barbara in the English PhD program pursuing an emphasis in Black Studies. Lexxus’s research areas include African American Literature and Culture, Black Performance Studies, and Creative Writing. Her research examines 20-21st century African American autobiographies exploring Black debt; she examines grief and loss within the Black autobiography as a form of debt.
Co-sponsor: The English Department's Creative Critical Writing Initiative
Spiritual Care Club
MCC Lounge
Spiritual Care Club is a recurring space where members will learn how to use and trust divine and intuitive tools for their healing and care, identity development, and dreams and goals formation. It will be an intentional space where we can experience personal and collective growth, joy, and care in a safe and encouraging environment.
Thursdays Nov 13th & 20th
12:00-1:30 pm
Beyond the Lab! STEM Community-Building Week
MCC Lounge
The MultiCultural Center, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Graduate Division, Graduate Student Association, American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES), Chicanos in STEM, Los Ingenieros, College of Engineering, National Society of Black Engineers and Scientists (NSBE), Restorative Justice Program, and the Society for Advancement of Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) present
Beyond the Lab! is a week dedicated to building community and belonging in STEM by centering empowerment, resilience, and holistic wellness. Through interactive events, forums, and resource-sharing, we’re creating spaces for students to connect with peers, Benjamin Banneker Fellows, faculty, and staff—reflect on their experiences, and access resources that support both academic and personal success.
STEM at UCSB is demanding—beyond labs, lectures, and late nights. Care, collaboration, and community are essential to reduce isolation and foster thriving. This week, the MCC invites students to connect across identities and experiences, recognize the strength in diversity, and build networks that uplift and empower.
SCHEDULE 11/12-11/14
- Meet and Greet and Resources Fair
- Wednesday, Nov 12
- MCC Lounge, 12-2pm
- MCC Council – STEM Focus
- Wednesday, Nov 12
- MCC Lounge, 5-7pm
- Spiritual Care Club – Affirmation Cups
- Thursday, Nov 13
- MCC Lounge, 12-1:30pm
- STEM Community Forum
- Thursday, Nov 13
- MCC Lounge, 5-7:30pm
- STEM Clubs Social
- Friday, Nov 14
- MCC Lounge, 12-1:30pm
- Food will be provided at all events
