Racial Exhaustion: Author Reading + Book Discussion with Dr. Ralina Joseph (UCLA) Tuesday, April 21, 2026
The UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies invites you to an intimate conversation with renowned Author Dr. Ralina Joseph on her new book, Racial Exhaustion: How to Move Through Racism in the Wake of DEI.
This will be a very special event worth waiting for — hosted on the second floor mezzanine at Blackbird Flagship in Culver City.
Praised by Forbes as “an invitation to be present and to show up with honesty, curiosity, and resilience” the book examines racial exhaustion not simply as an individual feeling, but as a gendered and racialize condition embedded within contemporary institutions.
This evening will feature a reading by Dr. Joseph followed by a moderated discussion and audience engagement. Together, we will consider what it means to name exhaustion, and talk through care, rest, and refusal as political strategies.
Opening Presentation
Reading by Dr. Ralina Joseph, Vice Provost for Inclusive Excellence and Professor of African American Studies, UCLA From Racial Exhaustion: How to Move Through Racism in the Wake of DEI.
Moderater
Dr. Whitney N. L. Pirtle, Associate Director, UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies; Associate Professor of Community Health Sciences & Sociology
Book Signing
A book signing and author meet + greet will follow the discussion.*
*Gift copies for attendees will be available on site, courtesy of the great partners at The Ralph J. Bunche Center.
Programme Schedule:
6 to 6:30PM - Arrivals Reception
6:30 to 6:45PM - Hosts Welcome & Author Reading
6:45 to 7:35PM - Moderated Author Conversations
7:35PM to 7.55PM - Audience Q&A
7:55PM to 8:00PM - Talent + Hosts Photos (kindly clear stage)
8:00 to 8:45PM - Book Signing & Departures Mixer
ADA Compliance - The Culver City Flagship is housed in a retrofitted building from the 1930's where the second floor mezzanine is accessed via stairway. Similar space use and amenities are fully available on main level . Kindly advise with advance notice if additional accommodations may be needed and the team will work on suitable considerations.
Photography release for both documentation and promotional purposes is required to attend our partner programs and there are no credits or compensation expectations in perpetuity.
Thank you for being a friend of Blackbird + Partners.