African-Americans, also referred to as blacks, are an ethnic group which involves some ancestry from the continent of Africa.
Though Davis is a relatively integrated community, the general perception among African-Americans is that there is substantial bias against blacks in the city. Some blacks choose not to apply to Davis, because they fear that they would be unwelcome in this town. Blacks are proportionally the largest underrepresented group at UC Davis compared to California's Demographics. In the past, Affirmative Action gave minority students a slight edge in admissions, but the program is now illegal in California.
Most of the collected stories of discrimination come not from the University, but from the Police. African-Americans are 2.4% of the population but account for 9.2% of arrests; whether this is due to racial profiling or other factors is unknown. Also unknown is the percentage of African-Americans from other areas arrested while committing crimes in Davis.
ASUCD was the first UC student government to have an African-American President and Vice-President.
Police discrimination? Please contribute: Police Misconduct Stories. Also if you have stories of when the police assisted you in the city of Davis contribute here: Police Appreciation Stories.
African-American Resources
UC Davis Resources
- African American and African Studies Department
- African Americans and Africans Cultivating Education
- Black Engineers Association, UC Davis chapter
- Black Family Week
- UC Davis African American Faculty and Staff Association
- Mixed Student Union
Community Resources
Hair Styling
Since most every hair stylist in Davis knows how to cut caucasian hair and Davis is about 90% white/Asian it seemed most appropriate to include hairstylists on this page rather than incorporating it on Beauty Salons and Barber Shops. As far as this wikivangelist knows, there are no stylists in Davis who cater to African American clientèle, though some hair styling products can be found at Rite Aid. This list will therefore necessarily be heavily skewed toward businesses in outlying areas such as Sacramento. Also keep in mind that many of these shops are very small and cannot accommodate credit card purchases, and many may not accept checks. (Note: if you have issues with hair information being posted here, but are of some other ethnicity, please just go to another page!)
- Ebony & Ivory African Braiding just does braids, weaves and twists. The price is relatively high [~$80/25 cornrows], but the quality is always excellent. Nearby beauty supply houses can provide synthetic hair extensions in a wide range of colors/textures/styles. This is a cash-only business. [7125 Franklin Blvd., Sacramento, 916/427-2198]
- Federico Beauty Institute doesn't do braids, but has a diverse staff of instructors and a student body that gets a breadth of experience with different hair types; prices are very low and they also offer very inexpensive spa treatments. [1515 Sports Dr., Sacramento, 916/929-4242]
- King of Curls does braids as well as some other styling/chemical treatments. Prices are low [~$36/25 cornrows], but the quality is sketchy. Most of the braiders in this shop are teen girls and turnover is high in part because they get paid poorly. This business accepts cash or ATM. [4751 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, 916/736-0808]
- University Haircutters' other barber, David, might be a good bet. He told me he works as the only caucasian at a particular barber shop in the Sacramento area which caters to African-Americans.
