Keeping in tune with our mission to increase the number of African American students interested in the sciences, we initiated Bridging the Divide Mixers. Attendees included graduate and undergraduate students, science professionals, educators, parents and children. The purpose of these mixers is to provide a gathering where professionals could interact with individuals interested in the sciences in a relaxed atmosphere. The mixer serves as an opportunity to meet potential mentors, business partners, as well as an opportunity to learn from other colleagues.

The African Scientific Institute (ASI), Black Graduate Engineering and Science Students (BGESS) of UC Berkeley and the Black Engineering and Science Students Association (BESSA) of UC Berkeley initially hosted a mixer at the University of California on Saturday, January 21, 2006. We have since hosted several mixers, one in January 2008 at the Washington Inn for Northern California attendees and again October 2008 in Washington D.C. for North Eastern attendees.