University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) is renowned for its research excellence, historical activism, and alumni who create transformational change. When UCSC alumna bell hooks (Ph.D. ’83, literature) was posthumously awarded the Alumni Achievement Award, we knew her story was too big to tell within the confines of one evening at an awards event. Therefore, we brought together key people to create an innovative, celebratory video that could tell her story more broadly. The result? The video debuted at the UCSC Alumni Awards Celebration on October 27, 2023, and it brought many to tears and elicited a standing ovation. The video's impact continues as it is shared, viewed, rewatched, and sent out via the UCSC YouTube platform, where it now resides. The investment in the bell hooks video was worth the reaction that night, as is knowing that others, through the video, will be inspired by bell hooks' life and legacy.
From the Judges
The seamless integration of various media and archival materials, including great use of photography, enriches the narrative, creating a cohesive and engaging piece. The video has visual appeal and an interesting and compelling storyline.
