Happy Holiday’s – Although it’s been another tumultuous year, we’ve made it through together. Thank you all for your interest, kindness, and your support. We are looking forward to doing more in 2022 to keep our community connected, knowledgeable, and successful. #ittakesavillage
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Pamela Lewis - Multicultural Affairs & Inclusion |
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It is an honor to introduce myself to the Black Scholars Community. I am Pamela A. Lewis, pronouns (she/her/hers), and I currently serve as the Senior Director of Multicultural Affairs & Inclusion at California State University, Long Beach. My educational roots began in the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), from elementary to high school. I am a proud graduate of Long Beach Polytechnic High School. I entered Cal State Long Beach as a first-year student, and in my first semester, I was placed on academic probation, found out I was pregnant, and eventually disqualified. I remember my physician told me that he would see me in a year with my second child. At that moment, I realized I had a choice not to accept his narrative for my future.
I persevered, receiving my AA degree from Long Beach City College. After a 20-year journey, I finished the original plan by obtaining my bachelor's and master's degrees from CSULB. I am currently pursuing my doctorate in Educational Leadership at The Beach. I am beyond blessed to work at my beloved institution for 20 years in various roles; nonetheless, the root of those roles has never wavered, and that is to always remain student-centered. I share this with you because our stories are important to share with our Black students. We all have different experiences, upbringings, etc. Those realities build our personhood and demonstrate the strengths we bring to a space that lacks representation.
As the Senior Director of Multicultural Affairs & Inclusion (MA&I), I have oversight for the Dream Success Center, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, CSULB Village, and the Women's and Gender Equity Center. I serve a diverse marginalized student population with intersecting identities and am responsible for advocating on their behalf and eliminating inequitable practices that impedes on their student success at the Beach. My personal lived experience and values are rooted in equity and inclusion, and I bring those attributes to my role. Go Beach! For more information, please click on the department link to view their website.
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Introducing: Kayla Brooks, CSULB Junior- English Major- Student Assistant for Access & Retention in the Division of Student Affairs |
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Ashley Dawkins of The Swazi Shop - by Kayla Brooks
The Swazi Shop is a black owned business located in Long Beach, California. It is centered in holistic healing, being a vessel of love, and obtaining the harmony of oneself. The owner, Ashley Dawkins, is a CSULB alum and decided to pursue this passion after selling skin care products in high school and needing a form of income while in college. She was also inspired by her family to continue the legacy of the Pan-African store, The Swazi Shop, which originated in the Midwest.
A volunteer for the Black Alumni Scholarship Gala Committee, Ashley frequently participates in philanthropic work in her community. As a recipient of Cares Act funding, she used aid to distribute items to individuals and share knowledge of the importance of healing the mind, body, and soul. Her vision is that The Swazi Shop will become a household name for holistic wellness, respect, and knowledge. We encourage you to support our Alumna, Ashely Dawkins by purchasing product using the discount code: CSULB2021. This code will get you 25% off your orders through December 31, 2021 - The Swazi Shop
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Local Community Business Highlight |
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Extraordinary Banana Pudding - by Imani Moses
Toran Grays was a full time General Manager working 40-50 hours a week before he started his own pudding business named, “Extraordinary Banana Pudding”. San Diego born and raised Toran Grays grew up playing sports as a kid and when he graduated from high school, he started working odd in jobs trying to live his full potential. At the age of 20 years old, he started his own janitorial business with a friend of his, and although the business was profitable, it was not his dream. As he grew up during the years, his family always had family engagements where they served the famous banana pudding which was his great grandmother’s recipe passed down from multiple generations.
One Thanksgiving Day, Toran was watching his aunts make the famous banana pudding and before dinner was served, they put out 4 trays and in a matter of 15 minutes it was gone. A lightbulb when off in his head and he thought, “What if I could package and sell this?” He started perfecting the recipe and perfecting different flavors on his days off while working a 40–50-hour at his weekly job. His pudding was hit, and he started selling it to local barber shops, beauty salons and anyone he encountered. He saved all his money from his job and his pudding sales, with the money he made he signed his lease at the end of February 2020 and opened his La Mesa location near San Diego. He successfully survived the COVID-19 pandemic and then opened his second location in Long Beach on October 2, 2021.
1208 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 269-0107
Some advice Toran has to offer are: Stick to your heart, work hard don’t lose focus, save your money so you can build your business and run it the way you want to and “Stick to what you believe in, If you really want it, You can do it!”
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Mrs. Doris Robinson. Executive Director, CSULB-LBUSD Math Collaborative was honored with the Citizen of the Year Award by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, Rho Iota Iota, Long Beach chapter on November 14, 2021 in San Diego at their annual Achievement Luncheon.
Malachi Scott, CSULB-LBUSD Math Collaborative Scholar, received the National Alliance of Black School Educators Founders Scholarship at their national conference on November 13, 2021 at the Los Angeles Marriott Hotel. Malachi now attends Compton High School. His brother Anthony Scott is also a graduate of the Math Collaborative and attends LBCC.
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Upcoming Events & Opportunities |
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Meet Your Candidate – Michele Dobson!
December 2nd from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
You are cordially invited, and please spread the word, to a private meet and greet at the home of Entrepreneur Aaron Blackburn.
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Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration
Thursday December 2, 2021 from 11am-12pm
The Department of Africana Studies would like to invite students, staff, faculty, administrators, and community members at large to our annual Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration. Please join us on Zoom.
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Sun, Dec 12, 2021 at 2pm
A celebration of gospel, jazz and classical holiday favorites,
from Joy to the World to Handel’s Messiah!
Black Scholars Community Discount Code: BAS10. - $10 off tickets
HOTTIX - Student discount tix (enter code when purchasing. Must show student ID at the door)
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Celebrated dance company A.I.M performs Artistic Director Kyle Abraham’s exultant new ode to the music of Grammy Award-winning R&B legend D’Angelo. A thumping mixtape of a dance, An Untitled Love is sonically rooted in the richness of Soul and R&B music, and celebrates family, community, and love in this evening-length experience by one of today’s most in-demand choreographers.
Black Scholars Community Discount Code: BAS10. - $10 off tickets
HOTTIX - Student discount tix (enter code when purchasing. Must show student ID at the door)
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Sunday’s at 8:30 am – Long Beach @ The Bluff & Cherry Ave (Cherry & Ocean)
Need a community while reaching your fitness goals! Join Us.
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SAVE THE DATE – Saturday, April 23, 2021
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"If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." |
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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. |
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Please contact us if you have any upcoming events, celebrations, or stories you would like us to share with our community.
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