ASUCLA is proud to present Café UCLA, a series of dynamic Bruin-themed experiences designed to amplify the UCLA brand and unite Bruin fans worldwide. As a concept, Café UCLA aims to amplify the voices of great leaders and pioneers of change who embody the core values of the Bruin spirit. Launched at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Café UCLA has quickly become a vibrant hub for UCLA enthusiasts. The Café UCLA series highlights UCLA’s extraordinary athletic legacy on the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, during which UCLA will be home to the athletic village. By celebrating the athletic achievements of our UCLA greats and amplifying the principles of equity, advocacy and awareness championed by these legends, ASUCLA is connecting the dots between Bruins past, present and future.
Café UCLA: Westwood 2025
In collaboration with the Arthur Ashe Legacy at UCLA, the Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center, UCLA Alumni and the UCLA Store, ASUCLA celebrated the 50th anniversary of UCLA alumni Arthur Ashe's historic Wimbledon victory. As a talented athlete, civil rights activist and proponent of HIV/AIDS awareness and research, Arthur Ashe's impact reached many communities during his life and continues to inspire Bruins to this day.
Café UCLA took place in the heart of Westwood at Barney's Beanery (1037 Broxton Ave.) and was open to the public from Friday, June 27 through Sunday, June 29. The Bruin family was invited for a main event on Saturday, June 28 from 2–5pm including giveaways and a panel discussion with UCLA alumni and leaders.
Panelists included Jenny Johnson Jordan, UCLA Hall of Fame athlete, UCLA Beach Volleyball coach, former Bruin and Olympian, and daughter of Rafer Johnson; Dr. Chaitali Mukherjee, executive director of the Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center; Johnathan Franklin, former professional National Football League (NFL) player and UCLA football alumnus; Joel Drucker, leading tennis historian; and Alexis Ramirez, UCLA Softball student athlete.
Café UCLA: Paris 2024
To cheer on the Bruins attending the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Games, ASUCLA hosted Café UCLA in the heart of France just in time for the opening games. The activation combined a popular Parisian destination, Café Fleurus, with the UCLA brand for fellow Bruins going to the Games.
Café UCLA opened on July 25 from 7:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. at 39 Av. Kléber, 75116 Paris, France. Bruins in Western Europe were welcome to enjoy a coffee and learn more about UCLA’s athletic legacy at the Olympics and what LA28 will look like moving forward to the next summer games.
Participating Bruins attended a panel of UCLA head coaches, alumni and other notable Bruins at Café UCLA on July 25 at 6 p.m. The speaker panel included The Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach Cori Close and UCLA Beach Volleyball Head Coach Jenny Johnson Jordan who discussed the evolution of women’s athletics, UCLA's history at the Olympics and efforts to make future Games like LA28 supporting and welcoming for future olympians. The speaker panel also included former UCLA athlete Baron Davis, a two-time National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star, in the discussion.