CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH

BLACK SCHOLARS NEWSLETTER

July 10, 2024

The Black Scholars Newsletter exists to share dynamic, informative and empowering stories that uplift, encourage, and inspire our community.

By Monet Jenkins

From June 13th to June 14th, CSULB students and staff traveled together to Sacramento for the California State University’s second biennial Juneteenth Symposium, titled “Let Freedom Ring: Breaking Chains and Elevating to New Heights.” Sacramento State was chosen as the host campus for its efforts in increasing Black student success. The college was also named the first-ever CSU Statewide Central Office for the Advancement of Black Excellence and has established the first Black Honors College in the country. 

Workshops, presentations, and showcases are just a small glimpse of the activities that took place throughout the conference. A variety of speakers spoke on reinforcing their efforts to prioritize the needs and resources provided to Black students. Workshops were presented by students and faculty, where they explored topics of activism, identity, and leadership within our community. Outside of professional workshops and networking sessions, we were surprised with guest performances from rapper D Smoke and R&B singer/song-writer Eric Bellinger. The schedule of events created an entertaining, but also welcoming atmosphere for students and staff to connect with one another in a space that celebrated the success of the Black community. 

Darnell Lewis

Recently, Darnell along with Paul Carter, Assistant Director of the Black Resource Center, and two Black male students flew to Michigan for a conference titled, “The Black Boys & Men National Symposium.” This was the third annual conference for K-12 educators, higher education faculty and staff, and community leaders to dismantle systemic barriers and propose better solutions for the lives of Black boys and men. Darnell selected students to attend the symposium to further develop their leadership skills and connect them with other professionals that can expose them to greater opportunities.  

Prior to working at CSULB, Darnell was the Assistant Director of the Office of Multicultural Services at Ferris State University. He facilitated cultural heritage month celebrations, DEI trainings, and a mentorship program for Black men. He also collaborated with multicultural student organizations for events and advised the Black Greek Council. Darnell has a strong passion for supporting historically marginalized students and ensuring they have tools for success. He was eager to move to California to continue pursuing that passion. Recently, he celebrated one year of working at “The Beach” and looks forward to celebrating the many years to come. Building relationships with Long Beach students has been his favorite part of working on campus. He enjoys connecting with students and being a mentor to those in need of support. 

To Darnell, a Black scholar is a person of African descent that is focused on academic excellence and uplifting the Black community. Those who are committed to the initiatives of diversity, equity, and inclusion represent the success of Black scholars. Darnell shares the same piece of advice he was given as a student; get involved on campus. “Your campus involvement enables you to evolve as a student leader through the connections you create and skills you gain. Learn about resources your university offers you. The Office of Belonging and Inclusion in Faculty Office 3 (FO3) and Black Resource Center in Faculty Office 4 (FO4-274), are resources on campus that provide a wide variety of support for students." Thank you, Darnell Lewis, for providing a leadership pathway that guides students to success at California State University, Long Beach. 

By Chloe Thomas

Juneteenth, also known as Black Freedom Day, is on June 19, the day marking when enslaved people in Texas learned that they had been set free. After nationwide protests sparked by racial tensions during the 2020 pandemic, this commemorative event became a national holiday in 2021. The city of Long Beach does much to ensure that its Black community feels empowered and appreciated year-round, and the Juneteenth celebration was one to remember.   

Food trucks, vendors, artists, non-profits, and family companies lined Shoreline Park framing the full stage of never-ending performances. From drummers and majorette dancing to Divine 9 appearances, and musical performances from groups all over the country. Everyone in attendance was encapsulated in Black food, Black music and Black culture – the best way to give remembrance to the progress of our people. The Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration offered more than a chance to commemorate this monumental event. This was a chance to delve into Black history, and honor those that came before us while paving the way for those who will follow. It was truly inspiring to be surrounded by the long-established art and culture of Black people.

Amidst the festivities I interacted with several Long Beach students, faculty and staff. Each of whom was excited to see the community show up for a celebration of Black people and their history. Hear from one of CSULB’s attendees as she reflects on this magically melanated memory. 

By Imani Moses

Body care and soul care are important, and I am happy to share a Black-owned business that creates products that are catered specifically to make your body and soul feel good. Delores Laing was born in Central Africa and raised in Monterey Seaside California. The name of her business is Inner-BeauDee, Passions by Delow. Delores’s love of creating products started when she was a child. She and her siblings would mix all the seasonings that were in her mother’s cabinet. Even though they would get in trouble for playing in those expensive seasonings, she enjoyed this memory and appreciates that experience. That experience led her to become the creator that she is now. 

Delores holds an Associate Degree in Behavioral Health and Science from El Camino College and works as an Administrative Assistant. A fun fact about Delores is that she is an introvert who loves peace, being home and creating new scents for her products. She is intentional about making body products, candles and self-care items that help aid in relaxation, stimulation of the mind, and positive affirmations that make people feel good. Her current scents that are top sellers include, Self-worth, Time for a Change, Better Things to Come, Never Stop Believing, and Clarity. Delores’s personal favorites are Yaya and Self-worth. All of the scents and products she makes can come in the form of a body spray, oil, candle, soap, and shea butter.

During the pandemic, she realized what she wanted to do. She had a friend who was very encouraging and suggested that she should make candles, eventually, Inner-BeauDee was formed. Her main goal when starting the business was selling candles and wax melts. During her entrepreneurial journey, she saw that her main challenge with starting her business as a Black woman was people trying to put her into a box. Her vision is to have her company flourish, and in a perfect world, her biggest accomplishment would be to have her products be sold and known by everyone. 

The phrase "Black scholar" to Delores means making it in this world and succeeding no matter her skin color. Some advice that was given to her that has stuck with her is, “Watch your steps”. Some encouragement she would like to share with students is, “Keep going, find your passion and find something you love and stick to it!”. 

You can find Delores on the platforms below

Instagram: @inner_beaudee 

Facebook: @passionsbydelow 

Website: www.innerbeaudee.com 

Email: innerbeaudee@gmail.com 

Phone number: (562) 380- 0742 

By Mark Kelly (Ayurvedic Practioner, at large)

Let’s continue to learn about the digestive process according to Ayurveda. To recap, we are often given the opportunity to eat and snack more often than is supported by our bodies' natural digestive processes. Our entire digestive process typically takes 4 to 6 hours and includes 6 phases, the last three of which we will cover today.  

Phase #4 – Pungent/Katu Avasta Paka 

This is where the chyme is further broken down by and mixed with enzymes and where Pitta (Fire + Water) transforms into Vata (Air + Space). It’s almost as if the digestive fire (called Agni) boils the water and transforms it into a gas. During this phase, personal constitution comes into play; those who carry excess pitta may experience rashes, overheating, hemorrhoids, ulcers, etc.; those who carry excess Vata may experience gas and bloating; and those who carry excess kapha may encounter slow or sluggish digestion. 

Phase #5 – Bitter/Tikta Avasta Paka 

This is where Vata (Air + Space) propels its contents along the end of the small intestines while nutrients, vitamins, and minerals are absorbed, assimilated and further dissolved by enzymes. 

Phase #6 – Astringent/Kashaya Avasta Paka 

This is the final stage where Vata & Kapha (Air + Space + Earth + Water) complete the digestive process. The last remaining element called ahara rasa, a subtle and refined fluid, is absorbed to nourish the seven essential tissues that make up the body. By this phase all nutrition has been absorbed and only food waste (ahara malas) and toxins collected from throughout the body (dhatu malas) remain. These end products are then formed into stools, urine, or sweat for disposal. Vata transports these waste products through their channels while Kapha ensures that they retain enough moisture to evacuate the body when ready. With the assistance of deep abdominal muscles and the influence of Vata (Air + Space), peristalsis activates to push out the final product.  

It is common to feel cold and/or hungry during this stage, but it is essential that we do not eat until the final assimilation of nutrients and detoxification process, conducted during this phase, is complete. Eating before the end of Kashaya Avasta Paka can lead to symptoms such as acne, bloating, constipation, and other digestive issues.  

Each time we eat, we restart the clock on the entire digestive process encouraging feelings of heaviness, water retention, weight gain and a disconnect between mind and body. Everything we put in our mouth should go through all 6 phases of digestion in the sequence outlined above but when food is introduced midstream, some food gets fully processed while some just gets pushed along without fully completing all stages. Like the art of cooking a special dish (where its ingredients must be prepared, mixed, and cooked at the right temperature, for the right amount of time and in the right sequence) our food must be eaten, digested, and processed within certain parameters to properly maintain, defend, and fortify the body.