CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH
BLACK SCHOLARS NEWSLETTER
June 18, 2024
The Black Scholars Newsletter exists to share dynamic, informative and empowering stories that uplift, encourage, and inspire our community.
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Co-editors:
Monet Jenkins
Chloe Thomas
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To get more announcements, and stay up to date with community events and opportunities, follow us on Instagram @csulbblackscholars
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Hello Black Scholars Community,
Sincerest apologies for an error in the previous newsletter for May 2024. The video included in our Alumni highlight was inaccurate, but the correct video and full article has been included in this edition of the newsletter.
Thank you,
Chloe Thomas
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2024 Black Alumni Scholarship Gala |
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Hello Black Scholars Community,
Thank you all so much for your attendance at our 4th annual Black Alumni Scholarship Gala. Your presence was invaluable as we sought to celebrate this year’s esteemed community leaders and raise funds to support our students. Our gala Legacies in Leadership would not have been a success without your encouragement, investment, and promotion. Thanks to your generous contributions we have been able to give out over 20 scholarships this year to students in need and will provide many more in the future. We look forward to next year and hope to see each of you again! If you would like to view any images from the event, please visit the links below.
Forever advocating for the community,
The Black Scholars Team
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Watch this interview to meet Avis Atkins, a CSULB alumna who graduated in 2011 as a triple major in Psychology, Sociology, and Human Development. Avis was also recently honored as one of Cal State Long Beach’s 49 under 49 alumni.
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Scroll Down to read the summary
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Avis Atkins is a CSULB alumna who graduated in 2011 as a triple major in Psychology, Sociology, and Human Development. Avis is currently the Executive Director for Midtown BID, a nonprofit that brings people together to help businesses succeed, and works as an Operations Lead at Amazon. During her time at Long Beach, Avis was enrolled in the honors program and wrote a thesis on how to help other first time and first-generation students like her succeed in higher education. She was heavily involved in advocacy work and served as president of the College of Liberal Arts Student Council. Having grown up in Long Beach, she always saw the Pyramid and was familiar with the campus which led to her choice to attend. Her proudest moment as a student was graduation. Though this is always a monumental occasion for all graduates, as one of nine siblings, for her it was an opportunity to show her younger siblings that they had the potential to achieve great things. She was proud of being a role model and setting an example for those that would come after her.
Avis found community as a SOAR leader during the summer and by connecting with the Black Student Union and professors. She says that without these connections she would not have made it through higher education. Her advice for current students is to “just keep going” even when things start getting tough. Be encouraged by all those that came before you, because if they can make it then you definitely can. To those that want to give back to the Long Beach community, she says to maintain your connections. Even when you lose touch with someone look for ways to reconnect – the Black Scholars Newsletter is one great way to do this.
She invites anyone who would like to reach out, to connect via LinkedIn.
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By Chloe Thomas
National CROWN Day, also known as Black Hair Independence Day, is a holiday commemorating the signing of the CROWN Act legislation in California on July 3, 2019, to “Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.” The Crown act was created in 2019 by Dove and the Crown Coalition, who partnered with then State Senator Holly J. Mitchell. They worked to provide statutory protections to textured, natural and protective styles in the workplace and public schools. Though progress has been made, Black women in the workplace still face adverse consequences for wearing their natural hair.
Over the years, Dove has conducted multiple research studies to bring awareness to the issues and impact of hair discrimination. In 2021, the Dove CROWN study for girls took place showing that race-based hair discrimination happens at an early age and the impacts are lasting. According to the study, 53% of Black mothers whose daughters experienced hair discrimination, say that experience came as early as 5 years old. Then as these young girls mature into teens, trauma from these interactions affects their perspective of their hair and consequently their schooling. On average, teenage Black girls miss a week of school per year due to hair dissatisfaction stemming from their experiences with discrimination (Dove 2021).
Their most recent study sought to detail the impacts of grooming policies and systematic hair bias in the workplace. Finding that Black women with coily/ textured hair are twice as likely to experience microaggressions in the workplace than Black women who straighten their hair. Furthermore 44% of Black women under 34 feel pressure to have a headshot with straight hair, and over 20% have been sent home from work because of their hair (Dove 2023).
Both studies bring awareness to how hair bias can create barriers to success. However, this July we have the opportunity to celebrate natural hair and reshape beauty standards. This National Crown Day be encouraged to show off your curls, coils, locs, braids and hair in any style that you enjoy. Honor Black hair Independence and spread the importance of inclusivity to end hair discrimination.
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The Six Ayurvedic Phases of Digestion as Related to Taste |
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By Mark Kelly (Ayurvedic Practioner, at large)
Welcome to another episode of “The Art of Healthy Eating”, where I share Ayurvedic theories and practices for self-care. Per Ayurveda, food (Ahara) is one of the three pillars of health; the other two being sleep and code of conduct. As I have mentioned before, the taste (Rasa) of food, herbs, and spices is not only a measure of the experience perceived in the mouth, but it is also a critical indication of how a particular food will affect the digestive process and ultimately our health.
In the wild, wild West, we are encouraged to eat and/or drink at every opportunity for a variety of reasons. When bored we reach for a snack, when nervous or agitated we eat to calm ourselves down, when sad we munch on our favorite treat to boost our mood, and when tired we consume sweets and caffeine to stay alert. An endless array of highly processed, packaged, and convenient fake food products are available morning, noon, and night to taunt and tempt us into disrupting the digestive cycle. Some modern diets even recommend eating every 2 to 3 hours supposedly to boost our metabolism. However, unbeknownst to many people, there are 6 essential phases of digestion that all food must go through before being fully digested and absorbed. The entire process takes about 4 to 6 hours, depending on the digestive strength of the individual and their constitution. Much like adding raw ingredients to a partially cooked dish, eating again too soon will confound the digestive process. Regularly eating without a brief fast between meals supports the continuous accumulation of waste, incomplete evacuation of toxins and less than optimal absorption of nutrients. Overtime this further compromises the entire system and sets the stage for a multitude of chronic conditions and dis-ease. Each meal should be enough to avoid snacking, keep the appetite at bay until the next meal, and include all six tastes to minimize cravings.
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Phase #1 – Sweet/Madhura Avasta Paka
This is the Kapha (Earth + Water) stage where saliva in the mouth and oral cavity is secreted to coat, cover, lubricate and begin dissolving carbohydrates and fats. The moment edibles enter the mouth, the digestive process begins. By thoroughly chewing food and mixing it with saliva the body begins to moisten and separate food into particles. This is when we often feel heavy, slightly lethargic, happy and satisfied. The remaining phases of digestion are highly dependent on peristalsis, deep abdominal muscles, and the influence of Vata (Air + Space) to push food along the digestive tract. Peristalsis is the automatic wave-like movement of muscles that line the gastrointestinal tract, from the esophagus to the end of the large intestine.
Phase #2 – Sour/Amla Avasta Paka
This is the Pitta & Kapha (Fire + Water + Earth) stage where digestive acids in the stomach break down protein, kill bacteria, viruses, and any other pathogens that may have come into the system. Miraculously the stomach creates acids with as low a pH as 1 or 2, that are critical to performing this work, without destroying its own lining or any other surrounding tissues. This is due to the effective barrier that kapha provides in the lining of the stomach. This process turns the sweet concoction into its opposite taste, sour. During this phase, if a high amount of acidic foods are consumed without alkalinizing foods to create balance, acid indigestion may occur. Examples of alkalinizing foods include kale, spinach, basil, sweet potatoes, beets, radish, asparagus, lettuce, carrots, and broccoli.
Phase #3 – Salty/Lavana Avasta Paka
This is the Pitta (Fire + Water) stage where food is converted to chyme (a semi-fluid mass of partially digested food) and mixes with bile (from the liver and gallbladder) and pancreatic enzymes in the small intestines. This neutralizes any leftover stomach acid in the sour food and further decomposes the mush so that nutrients and waste can be separated as it moves through the intestines. Like salty sea water the power of pitta breaks down carbs, proteins, and fats.
See next month's newsletter for the last three phases of digestion.
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Marcus Hobbs is a recent alum who graduated from Long Beach in Spring 2023 with his bachelor's in English literature. He is currently attending Howard University to attain his master's degree in social work and serves as the Community Impact Manager at Habitat for Humanity, working to advance Black homeownership. Being a Long Beach native, Marcus fell in love with the city and Cal State Long Beach was an obvious choice when considering higher education. Though he originally planned to transfer and pursue a law degree, his path shifted during his last semester when he started a non-profit and realized he didn’t need a law degree to be the change he wanted to see in his community. |
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As a nontraditional student, Marcus found one of his hardest challenges to be learning new material after taking time away from school. Time management and balancing school, work and his personal life were also struggles of his, but he overcame these challenges by planning out his schedule, doing meditations, and knowing it’s ok to take breaks when needed. His internship with the Long Beach City prosecutor allowed him to host expungement clinics to help erase low level offenses for people with misdemeanors. He connected with the State of California Department of Corrections and hosted legal clinics at reentry facilities to help those serving the last 6 months of their sentences gain information that would help them transition and reintegrate into society. Being able to do this work and make a difference in the lives of these various individuals helped him realize that he didn’t need to wait for a law degree to help others, he just needed to connect with the right people. This realization was his proudest moment and ultimately led to the work he is doing today.
Building upon his desire to make a change, Marcus stays connected to the Long Beach community through networking with community pillars as well as through his nonprofit Project X LB. This nonprofit was created through his relationship with Long Beach City College and the youth adjacent to it. The X in the nonprofits title is a variable chosen to represent different resources that could fulfill the community's changing needs. Whether that be grants, laundry, diapers, housing or any other social need, the nonprofit could work towards assisting Long Beach through various projects. Marcus hopes that through Project X LB he will be able to empower communities and improve the Black experience in Long Beach by becoming a bridge between Black families and resources provided in the city. “I’m not leaving Long Beach, not anytime soon at least. But while I’m here I’m going to continue to do what I can to make my city better” says Marcus.
When discussing the need to increase educational success for people of color Marcus notes that one of the struggles is an inability to quantify education. For families of color, choosing an education often comes down to a decision between pursuing a degree or getting a job. There is a generational struggle to make money for survival while learning and to do both well is difficult. The greatest barrier to educational success is lack of resources and lack of information about resources that support Black families. If we focus on introducing students to the programs that exist to assist them through higher education, we could better encourage them to go to school and pursue a degree. To Marcus being a Black scholar means overcoming adversity and the struggles of being Black. He says that as Black people, we live a life interrupted by these struggles – discrimination, poverty, generational traumas, etc., – and to go through college despite these challenges creates resilience and strength of character. Being a Black scholar is facing the challenge that the world gives you while improving your life, the lives of those near you, and the lives of those who will come after you. Marcus leaves students with this encouragement: as a Black scholar you contribute to Black excellence every time you step on campus, even when the world tries to hold you back. This journey is yours and yours alone and you must embrace that.
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CSULB Black Alumni Scholarship, donors strengthen opportunity, inclusion |
Black Alumni Scholarship Recipient and Graduate student, Joshua James was recently highlighted by No Barriers. Click here to view his story about how the scholarship has impacted his life and will allow him to give back or go to https://www.csulb.edu/no-barriers/article/csulb-black-alumni-scholarship-donors-strengthen-opportunity-inclusion
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African American Cultural Center Long Beach works to teach Black history beyond the basics |
The African American Cultural Center of Long Beach is being highligted in the Press-Telegram for its years of service. This museum has been dedicated to teaching, honoring, and celebrating the culture and history of African Americans in Long Beach.
Click here to read the article or go to https://www.presstelegram.com/2024/06/06/african-american-cultural-center-long-beach-works-to-teach-black-history-beyong-the-basics/
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Want us to highlight someone you know? Send us the names of people or organizations you think should be recognized and we’ll share their accomplishments in our monthly newsletter. Submit the form below.
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Date: Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, California 90802
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Juneteenth Celebration at the Aquarium of the Pacific |
Learn about the history of this holiday and its significance to the African American community and beyond. Discover the traditions of this annual celebration through music, storytelling, and more. This event is included with general admission. The Juneteenth Celebration will also be live streamed on the Aquarium’s YouTube page.
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Pride Night at the Aquarium |
In partnership with The LGBTQ Center Long Beach
Enjoy a fun evening with your favorite animals and colorful fishes. This all-ages event will also include rainbow-themed activities and drag queen storytelling. Drag queen storytelling is a family-friendly activity where a drag queen reads a children’s book story with the aim of inspiring and celebrating inclusivity.
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Date: Friday, June 21, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
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Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
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Play fun games, complete a scavenger hunt and show off your trivia knowledge in this great race around Long Beach. Form a team of 3-5 and win prizes.
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Black Excellence Experience |
Presented by The Black Resource Center
The first ever overnight experience for first-time first-year students who identify as Black/African American. The Black Excellence Experience is a free overnight orientation program taking place August 4-6 designed to introduce new students to the Black Beach Community.
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Deadline: Register by Friday, June 28, 2024
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Information Session: June 21, 2024
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Meeting ID: 846 4727 1477
Application Deadline: June 30, 2024
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Long Beach Public Service Corps |
Aligning with Mayor Rex Richardson’s priorities, the Long Beach Public Service Corps (LBPSC) fosters economic inclusion and expand opportunities for residents, including young people, so they can develop successful career paths into public service. Through this program, students will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals, gaining insights into the inner workings of City departments and contribute to meaningful projects that positively impact the Long Beach community.
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Presented by the Caribbean American and Heritage Foundation
Coming to Shoreline Aquatic Park in July 2024; The Long Beach Reggae Fest! This event will feature artisan vendors, food from Caribbean nations, a customized car display, Domino & Chess Competition, and dancing. Proceeds from the festival support the foundation's cultural exchange programs.
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Date: Saturday, July 6, 2024
Time: 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: 200 Aquarium Way Long Beach CA 90802
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Check out short study abroad and service-learning trips to different parts of Africa, Caribbean and central America. Additional opportunities are open to interested CSULB students and faculty. Upcoming: 10-day trip to Kenya scheduled for early January 2025 (during winter break).
For any questions or further information please contact Professor Edwin Achola
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Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem - Sojourner Kincaid Rolle |
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