Mission Statement
Otis College’s Black Creatives Institute is focused on developing an inclusive and affirming campus climate for incoming student participants in an effort to increase student engagement, first- to second-year retention, and degree completion.
Program Goal
Fostering community among student participants by providing holistic support of their personal growth, identity formation, cultural development, and career development to create a stronger sense of belonging within the Otis College community.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will identify challenges faced by creatives with specific identities in their respective industries.
- Students will articulate strategies for creating more inclusive creative spaces based on the experiences of the panelists, guests, speakers, and mentors.
- Students will reflect on their own biases and privileges in relation to the experiences shared by the panelists.
- Students will establish meaningful personal connections.
- Students will leave with a better understanding of their culture, heritage, and identities.
How to Register
If you identify with the experience of a Black creative student and you are an incoming new student for Fall 2025 who would like to participate in this free program, check your email in the days following your deposit for an invitation, or use the registration link on this page. Registration will be open until July 28, 2025. This program focuses on the experience of Black-identified people in the creative industry and is open to all students.
Who is Eligible?
All incoming new students are eligible for this program. This program is focused on the experience of Black creatives and will offer opportunities for students to self-explore and build connections around this focus. This program is open to all incoming Otis students regardless of background, race, ethnicity, or other protected identities.
Where the Program Will Take Place
The Black Creatives Institute takes place on campus at Otis College of Art and Design. We recommend all students stay on campus in the Residence Hall over the course of five days as an immersive summer bridge experience before Orientation Week. If you have secured housing in the Residence Hall for the school year, we will do our best to place you in your academic year assignment. If you will be commuting during the school year, you can still live on campus for the five-day program for free. This program includes some off-campus visits to local businesses and historical locations in Los Angeles, and all transportation is included.
The program dates are as follows:
- Wednesday, August 13–Sunday, August 17, 2025
- Move-in will happen on Wednesday, August 13
- Monthly BCI Community Lunch and Check-Ins will happen with BCI alumnx and Black faculty and staff once per month during the academic year
Program 2025 Tentative Schedule
| Time | Program/Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 12 – 4 p.m. | Move In | All students attending BCI should sign up for a move in appointment with housing to move in during this time frame. Check your email for more details. |
| 4:45 – 6 p.m. | Dinner and Fireside Chat with Halima Hudson | Halima Hudson is a screenwriter who most recently served as co-writer on the Disney+ series, Iwájú; developed and produced at Walt Disney Animation Studios in conjunction with Kugali Media. She was also co-writer on Off The Page Adventures: Arendelle Ice Calamity as well as a soon to be released untitled Frozen LEGO project. With over fifteen years in the film industry, Halima has worked in varying capacities on other popular Disney animated features such as Wreck-it Ralph, Big Hero 6, Moana and even voiced a character of the same name in Frozen 2. Currently, Halima is working on a short live action project entitled, Pop Out, that she wrote and will direct. |
| 6:15 – 8 p.m. | BCI Welcome and Housing Orientation | All students will attend a welcome to Black Creatives Institute and a brief housing orientation followed by community development activities. |
| 8 – 9:30 p.m. | Game Night | Game Night led by Black Creatives Peer Mentors |
| Time | Program/Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 7:45 – 8:45a.m. | Breakfast | Elaine's Dining Hall - on campus dining |
| 9 – 9:15 a.m. | Schedule Overview | Overview of the day and team introductions. |
| 9:30 – 10 a.m. | Welcome to Otis! | Brief welcome from Provost Colette Veasay-Cullors and Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Nick Vela-Negrete. |
| 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. | Opening Keynote: Otis Alum and Renowned Artist, Maurice Harris | Maurice Harris is a Los Angeles based artist who is best known as the visionary behind Bloom & Plume, a bespoke floral design studio located in Echo Park. Maurice's unique point of view, sense of humor, craftsmanship and dedication to his community has made him both one of the most sought after floral designers in Los Angeles and one of the most followed florists on Instagram. Harris' clients include some of the biggest names in Hollywood as well as top tier brands such as Louis Vuitton, The Row, Goop, Opening Ceremony, Dior, Nike, Gucci, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Warby Parker, MOCA and LACMA among others. Harris has been featured in Vogue, W Magazine, LA Times, Hollywood Reporter, Saint Heron, Rip + Tan and appeared on air for Viceland. Additionally, Harris' art career has been emerging with a flower sculpture at MOCA, photography at the San Diego Art Institute and a performance piece at the Broad. Most recently you can see him on his TV show "Centerpiece" for Quibi and the upcoming "Full Bloom" for HBOMax. |
| 11:30 a.m. – 12p.m. | Campus Resources Presentation | Learn about what resources are available to you at Otis, how and when to utilize them, and meet the folx that work in those offices. |
| 12:30 – 2 p.m. | Black Faculty and Staff Lunch | Black staff and faculty at Otis College will provide insight into their background and experience to help students connect, and offer a space for students to ask questions and engage in meaningful conversation with these systems of support. |
| 2:00 – 2:50 p.m. | Campus Tour (or break) | Students are strongly encouraged to take an in-depth tour of campus and get to know Otis even better! If they don't need/want the tour, students can instead take a break/nap during this time. |
| 3 – 5 p.m. | Art Activation Experience and Engagement with DREAMHAUS | DREAMHAUS LA, co-founded by Otis College alums, is an arts non-profit organization that provides creative programming and supplies to schools and the communities of Central Los Angeles. They have a series of highly engaging programming that promotes creativity and reflection. Get ready to create! |
| 5 – 6 p.m. | Dinner | Elaine's Dining Hall - on campus dining |
| 6:15 – 8:15 p.m. | Movie Night | Movie Night led by Black Creatives Peer Mentors |
| Time | Program/Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 8:45 – 9:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Elaine's Dining Hall - on campus dining |
| 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Mentorship Interactive Session | During this interactive session, students will learn about mentors, how to engage in a successful mentorship, and what their role is as mentees. Students will learn from Industry Mentors as well as Peer Mentors, and have an opportunity to ask questions, as well as practice mentorship scenarios with peers. |
| 10:50 – 12:00 p.m. | Black Creatives Industry Professional Panel | This session features 4-5 Industry Mentors who are leaders across the industry. BCI students will have the opportunity to ask them questions, listen to their advice, and learn more about the importance of networking and purposeful relationship-building. Come ready to listen to their stories and pathways toward their career, and ask questions during our interactive Q&A. |
| 12 – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch | Elaine's Dining Hall - on campus dining |
| 1:40 – 6 p.m. | Offsite Visit | Offsite visit to an industry partner (TBA) |
| 6:30 – 8 p.m. | BBQ Dinner and Introductions to Student Leaders | Enjoy a BBQ dinner outside and meet student leaders from Campus Activities Board, Residence Life, Team International Student Outreach, Student Union, and Admissions. |
| Time | Program/Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. | Breakfast | Elaine's Dining Hall - on campus dining |
| 10 – 11 a.m. | Saturday Keynote: Patrisse Cullors |
Patrisse Cullors believes in the power of alchemy. The NYT bestselling author, artist, and abolitionist has long been drawn to the unseen, and is inspired by the beauty of freedom found in different planes and dimensions. Over the last two decades, her art and performances have been featured at cultural institutions across the globe including The Broad, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, The Fowler, Frieze LA, Hammer Museum, Southern Guild and more. In addition to her work as a solo artist, Patrisse is the co-founder of the Crenshaw Dairy Mart as well as the founder of The Center For Art and Abolition, a trailblazing nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering abolitionist artists and leveraging the transformative power of art to catalyze social change. Her current work and practice is focused on “Abolitionist Aesthetics,” a term she advanced and popularized to help challenge artists and cultural workers to aestheticize abolition. |
| 11a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Lunch and Mixer with Returning Students | Continuing students and BCI alum share their Otis College experience, and how they navigate systems that have sometimes been challenging based on their various identities. |
| 12:10 – 2:30 p.m. | Visit California African American Museum | Students will engage in a guided tour of CAAM. |
| 2:45 – 5 p.m. | Leimert Park Trip - Engaging with the Creative Community in the Center of Black Arts | Get ready to connect with the center of Black Arts and the Creative Commuinty! We will visit Sole Folks, have a chance to shop at the locally owned stores and markets, and get some ice cream from hip-hop ice cream shop, All Chill. |
| 5:15 – 7:45 p.m. | Dinner at Dulan's Restaurant | Enjoy a soul-food meal from Dulan's and hear from restaurateur, Greg Dulan. |
| Time | Program/Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 8:50 – 9:50 a.m. | Reflection and Breakfast | Elaine's Dining Hall - on campus dining |
| 10 – 12:00 p.m. | Self-Portrait Image - A final refection through art and design | Reflecting on the last few days, design a self-portrait that reflects who you are, your values, passions, identity, strengths, and other identifiers that best depicts aspects of who you are as you begin your time at Otis. |
| 12:15 – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch and Learn: Self-Portrait Share | Participants will be able to grab lunch and share each of their reflective self-portraits with the group. |
| 1:40 – 1:50 p.m. | Group Portrait | BCI participants and staff will take a group photo to commemorate their time together. |
| 2 – 3 p.m. | Mentor/Mentee Meetings | All students will meet with their assigned Peer Mentor in group sessions. |
| 3 – 3:30 p.m. | Next Steps and Move Out | Those living on campus for the fall semester will be able to remain in their assigned rooms. All other students should be moved out of their rooms and picked up by 3:30 p.m. |
Upon successful completion of the program (full participation over five days), all participants will receive the following:
- Industry Mentor - Students will be paired with a mentor who works in the art and design industry as a mid to senior-level creative, and in the area of focus the student is interested in. These mentors are connected to BOND Creative, which is an agency that places creatives across various art and design organizations.
- Black Creatives Peer Mentor - All students will receive a peer mentor who will be their source of connection to Otis College and serve as a support person through their first year. These mentors are paid student leaders who have completed BCI at least once before and are present during all five days of the program.
- $100 Owl Dollars: All students will receive $100 in Owl Dollars upon successful completion of the post-program survey. Owl Dollars can be spent in Elaine’s or in the Cafe (both dining locations on campus), or at Graphaids (on-campus art supply store).
- Program Fee: This program is completely FREE, including three meals a day and snacks! All interested students must register for the program by July 28, 2025, and will receive more information on the program schedule.
Can I Participate Virtually?
All students participating in Black Creatives Institute are required to participate in person each day for 5 days, and are encouraged to live in the Residence Hall. Each program session will build upon each other and provide a comprehensive experience that will allow students to build community among each other while networking with Black creative mentors such as faculty, staff, and continuing students.
The Black Creatives Institute will also offer social programming in the evenings and during supervised off-campus trips for students to get to know each other in a more casual way, allowing them to develop a sense of belonging with our Otis community. Accommodations will be provided for any student who needs them. Please email ds@otis.edu to inquire specifically about your needs.