On February 19, 2026, the Office of Inclusive Excellence (IE) launched its new special topic series: Tea with IE.
Fueled by a spirit of dialogue and engagement (as well as an assorted tea potluck), Tea with IE presents the UCLA community an opportunity to learn firsthand with UCLA’s top experts on a host of topics.
The inaugural Tea was hosted by Vice Provost for Inclusive Excellence Ralina Joseph, exploring one of her signature areas of study: “radical listening”, emphasizing listening without judgment, keeping silent, and giving one’s full attention so that the speaker will continue sharing.
Overview
Through VP Joseph’s illuminating presentation, alongside spirited discussions and group activities, all participants were able to explore the concept of listening: how easy it is to simply hear and miss meaning, how tempting to just wait one’s turn to speak — and how ultimately rewarding to truly give space for someone else’s truth.
“I’ve always taken pride in my ability to read between the lines in conversations, but this workshop challenged me to consider how that instinct can sometimes be used to outmaneuver rather than understand. I realized that listening with compassion requires a willingness to be vulnerable, to let go of the need to ‘win,’ and to genuinely hear the person in front of you because when we feel heard, it fosters trust, dignity, and authentic connection.“
— Estellaleigh Franenberg
Senior Director, Alumni Marketing & Creative Engagement
UCLA Alumni Association
Participants
Realized by the Office of Inclusive Excellence, the first session of Tea with IE was a resounding success. People participated with open hearts and curiosity, thrilled at the chance to learn how one can strive for radical listening as a vital tool in learning and reparative dialogue.
Between in-person attendees and a robust Zoom turnout, the audience consisted of over 25 staff, faculty, and students from across UCLA.
Takeaways
In the very spirit of the “Tea with IE” series, participants were able to learn, discuss, and engage with fascinating and challenging new perspectives in a friendly, inclusive space. In particular, the group exercises allowed attendees to explore vulnerabilities in each other’s experiences, and how radical listening can ultimately help us hear what the speaker is saying — for the true meaning they intend. In fact, the group discussions proved so fruitful that people asked for additional time in each instance, and showed enthusiasm to continue these practices in their daily lives.
The event ended on a note of hope: while there is still much more work to be done, empathy, compassion, and radical listening can help create endless possibilities — providing a celebration of a world that is yet to be.
