The UCSB Center for Black Studies Research has two primary missions.

Academic Mission

The academic mission of the Center for Black Studies Research is to support interdisciplinary research on the social, political, historical, cultural, and economic experiences of communities throughout the African Diaspora. The Center is dedicated to developing individual and collaborative research projects by securing and administering grants for faculty and student scholars. The Center also focuses on disseminating new research through a variety of mechanisms: working papers, edited volumes, academic journals, conferences, and colloquia.

Public Mission

The public mission of the Center is to support several levels of university–community engagement. First, we are dedicated to creating dialogues within our field and within the university on critical issues confronting our society. Second, the Center administers an educational enrichment program for Black youth in Santa Barbara in addition to cosponsoring cultural activities both in the Santa Barbara community and on campus.