It’s Black History Month and students are initiating their own empowerment! In this week’s episode, we are joined by Jovana Tankou and Jazmine Chism, the student podcast hosts of The Empowerment Zone at UCLA. These students have come together to offer a holistic space for the voices of Black students and staff members on their campus. Find out the significant changes that have occurred, as a result of them raising their voices and expressing their needs during the pandemic. As one of the hosts prepares to graduate, find out how she plans to take the unknown leap into her next chapter. Jovana Tankou is a third-year student studying Sociology and African-American Studies. She has taken on roles during her college life working as a peer counselor for the Black Retention Project ASP, the director of a community book club, a peer educator on sexual health, a researcher in the McNair Scholars Program, a mentor for high school students hoping to go into higher education, and an administrative member of the non-profit Community Movement Builders-LA just to name a few. She also co-hosts the Empowerment Zone with Jazmine to further amplify the voices of Black students at her PWI. Jovana is very passionate about creating spaces that liberate us all and allow people to create community. Jazmine Chism is a fourth-year student studying Human Biology & Society and African American Studies as a minor. She is the Assistant Project Coordinator for the Academic Supports Program, supporting Black student retention. In addition to her work and academics, she has been doing research as a McNair Scholar and Project Consultant for the Sustainable LA Grand Challenge Research Program, analyzing environmental justice and equity issues. To learn more about Jovana and Jazmine's work, subscribe to The Empowerment Zone on Spotify and connect with them on IG @aspatucla. The Empowerment Zone Podcast with Academic Support Program ( ASP) UCLA Black Bruin Resource Center