CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH

BLACK SCHOLARS NEWSLETTER

September 12, 2024

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

By Tracy Kelly

Ministry leaders from the Long Beach Ministers Alliance came together on Saturday, August 24th, 2024, to join the CSULB Village and our call for liaisons to support our efforts in expanding access to higher education. Our objective is to engage with community partners like yourself and build a personal connection with you, equipping you with the necessary tools and information that empower you to disseminate valuable insights throughout your communities. As the old Igbo and Yoruba African proverb says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” This saying has been a staple in the Black community, meaning that an entire community of people must interact with our young people for them to grow in a safe and healthy environment. Villagers help look out for and support our children. Our new liaisons all understood this principle. During our first orientation, they learned and shared a lot about how to uplift our students. We came away, inspired and with fresh ideas ready to strengthen our communities. 

A special thanks to Pastor Gregory Sanders from the ROCK Christian Fellowship Church for recommending community leaders interested in education. Also, a very special thank you to Lizbeth Serna, Terri Armstrong, Linda Williams, Ashly Ulloa, and Katherine Carters, from University Outreach and School relations, Howard Channel from EOP, and Somone Washington from Faculty Affairs for collaborating with the CSULB Village to provide a great training. 

If you are interested in joining the village as a liaison for your church, please contact Tracy Kelly at 562-985-5587 or email her at tracy.kelly@csulb.edu.

Dr. Ennette Morton

After 10 years in higher education at the University of California, Berkley, she decided that it was time to be closer to her home in Long Beach. From the beautiful location near the beach, to the glowing reviews from her husband and friends who are CSULB alums, she knew when she applied for the position that it would be a dream to work for The Beach. One of her favorite parts of working at Long Beach is the great leadership she gets to work alongside, helping guide and move the campus.

Her passion lies in working with the Black Student Success Initiative and witnessing the impact that it is making on the campus’s Black student population. Notably, she played a pivotal role in the foundational work of the Black Excellence Collegium—a collaborative effort involving community partners, faculty, students, and staff. This collegium implements the action plan for Black student success based on the CSU-wide inventory. Using her role as Co-President of the Black Faculty and Staff Association she was able to introduce students to new opportunities, mentorship and leadership positions. Beyond campus, Dr. Morton is engaged with the Long Beach community and is running for Long Beach City College Board of Trustees, district 4. She aims to help the community and students gain more local opportunities for education. She is excited to potentially use her educational background to help others realize their academic dreams. 

Dr. Morton shares the importance of mentorship and helping those younger than you gain knowledge and skills. “To be a Black scholar means living the live that our ancestors dreamed of and being an example for those who are coming up.” When it comes to major accomplishments no individual should be the last or the only one to make it. “We can’t do this by ourselves, we need to be part of a community that exemplifies Black Excellence.” She leaves students with this final advice “always be true to yourself, and never doubt that you are excellent.” 

By Chloe Thomas

As the new semester kicks off, the Black Student Union (BSU) chapters from both Cal State Long Beach and Cal State Fullerton came together for an unforgettable BSU Beach Day on Saturday, August 24th at Huntington Beach. This event was all about food, fun, music, and sun, creating the perfect atmosphere for students to meet, mingle, and make new friends before classes began. 

The day was filled with laughter and lighthearted rivalry as students participated in a variety of beach games designed to build community and foster friendly competition. Highlights included tug of war, relay races, and the ever-entertaining head, shoulders, cup game. Both schools shared in the joy of the day’s activities, but of course Long Beach was victorious in most games and is excited to compete again with Fullerton in the coming years. 



The Beach Day was more than just a fun event; it was a meaningful opportunity for students to break the ice, forge new friendships, and build a supportive network that would enhance their college experience. The positive energy and enthusiasm displayed throughout the day set the stage for a vibrant and engaged Black community at Cal State Long Beach. As students left the beach, they carried with them not just memories of a great day, but also a renewed sense of belonging and excitement for the semester ahead. 

BSU’s Beach Day was just the beginning, and with such a strong foundation, the year is sure to be filled with continued camaraderie, achievement, and celebration. Here’s to a fantastic semester filled with connection, growth, and plenty more memorable moments!

Vincent Thornton Jr.

For Vincent, choosing Cal State Long Beach wasn’t a hard decision. Born and raised in Long Beach, he graduated from Poly High School, a school part of the Long Beach Unified School District. Initially, he spent his first year of college at Clark Atlanta University but eventually returned to Long Beach to attend Long Beach City College (LBCC). In December 2023, he earned his Associate of Arts in Economics from LBCC and then transferred to CSULB. Considering Long Beach was his hometown, it felt natural for Vincent to build connections at a school in the city he grew up in. 

Building a community on campus started prior to his first class. Even before becoming an official CSULB student in Spring 2024, he began engaging with the campus community by attending Black Student Union meetings during his Fall 2023 semester at LBCC. So, when the Week of Welcome rolled around in January, Vincent eagerly visited the Black Student Union table to reintroduce himself to the executive board. At his Student Orientation Advising and Registration (SOAR) session, he met Darnell Lewis, the Director of the Office of Belonging and Inclusion. These early connections helped Vincent secure positions in both the Black Student Union and the Men’s Success Initiative, where he found his sense of belonging on campus. 

Some organizations Vincent is an active member of include the Black Student Union, Black Business Student Association, Men's Success Initiative, and the Black Leadership Council. As the Financial Director for the Black Student Union (BSU), he oversees all financial strategies and management that will ensure the financial progress, stability, and independence of BSU. As the Social Chair for the Black Business Student Association (BBSA), he is responsible for planning, organizing, and coordinating events and activities that promote social engagement among students. As a Student Assistant for the Men's Success Initiative (MSI), he focuses on outreach and recruitment for the program to increase involvement. Lastly, he serves as a representative on the Black Leadership Council, an organization that focuses on assisting and supporting each of the many Black organizations on campus. 

On and off campus Vincent recognizes Darnell Lewis as his biggest advocate, mentor, and role model. Darnell has provided a safe space and open environment for him to be true to himself in, while also motivating him to continue pursuing his career goals. Outside of campus, Vincent’s father, Vincent Thornton Sr., has “taught him everything he knows”. Lessons such as how to be a man, establishing morals, and how to be accountable, have contributed to the success of Vincent’s future. Lastly, he mentions that Nipsey Hussle, a rapper, activist, and entrepreneur has served as a public figure he’s grown up looking up to. 

To Vincent, a Black Scholar is one that overcomes obstacles by having a hustler mentality to pursue their paths. Staying focused and determined, while being resourceful leads Blacks Scholars to the increased likelihood for success in college. Vincent pushes for colleges to provide efficient resources and strategies that will assist students of color with succeeding in college. More specifically, assisting freshman during what can be a drastic transition from high school to college. He would like to see students proactively be given advice from mentors, faculty, and staff. Advice on how to go about studying, utilizing the syllabus, and effective notetaking. All of which could prevent the vast variety of first-time first-year students from struggling in their first year. Thank you, Vincent Thornton for being an actively involved community member in Long Beach.