I am elated to have the opportunity to introduce myself to my community! I am Dr. Amber Johnson, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Science. I am a servant leader whose research and scholarship focus on reducing the factors that promote health disparities in the Black community. As we may know, race is not a biological construct. Therefore, we must understand the societal factors (e.g., unequal healthcare access, educational inequities, discrimination) that contribute to race-based differences in health. My current research focuses on better understanding how discrimination “gets under the skin”. For example, the Black Women’s Experiencing Study, examines the emotional experiences of Black Women in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and civic unrest. We will take what we learn from this study to examine how discrimination, emotions, and other social cognitive processes contribute to cardiovascular disease risk for Black women in a recent study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Identifying how these processes work together to increase cardiovascular risk can inform interventions that allow Black women to mentally and physically heal from race-related trauma.

The COVID-19 pandemic provides yet another example of how societal factors contribute to health disparities in the Black community. However, it is just important to highlight the important work of Black community members who have worked tirelessly to provide culturally tailored services to the Black community during this time in history. I have had the honor of coordinating the Black Health Equity Collaborative (BHEC), a collaborative of 18 Black serving organizations. These organizations provide free mental health services, COVID-19 care packages, health education and outreach, COVID-19 health education training, and culturally tailored COVID-19 resource guides. More information about BHEC activities can be found here: www.bheclb.org If you are interested in assisting with these efforts feel free to send me an email at amber.johnson@csulb.edu

Blossom Adanike & Myla Thomas, recipients of the Inaugural Black Alumni Scholarship Gala Opportunity Drawing.

Alumna and staff member, Imani Moses sits down with them to learn a little bit about their journey so far.

Sat, Nov 6, 2021 at 8pm.  The jazz superstar and his quartet enthrall with exquisite originals and favorite standards. Email Blackscholars@csulb.edu if you are interested in the Black Scholars Community Discount Code. 

Damien Sneed - Joy to the World: A Christmas Musical Journey 

 from Joy to the World to Handel’s Messiah!

Visit Jobs @ the Beach website for employment opportunities.

All funds raised support the mission of the Black Resource Center and Scholarships for students supporting the advocacy of our African American population on campus.