CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH

BLACK SCHOLARS NEWSLETTER

December 3, 2024

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

Editors

Monet Jenkins

Emmanuel Okereke

Unity For A Better Community

By Monet Jenkins

Dr. Gerald Higginbotham is the founder of Unity for a Better Community, a non-profit organization dedicated to unifying the community and creating a positive change through music. He is a retired pilot and proud father of two highly educated sons. He is the President and CEO of the Captain’s Millionaires Inc. an educational company that emphasizes financial literacy and reaching one's full potential. In January 2024, Dr. Higginbotham was awarded the Martin Luther King Lifetime Achievement Award from JetCo, a company that helps empower the community. Currently Dr. Higginbotham lives in Long Beach and is the author of a few books designed to empower the next generation including “This is Your Captain Speaking” and “Collaboration, Teamwork, and Networking”. 

Growing up in Watts, California, Dr. Higginbotham developed a deep understanding at a young age about social justice and the movement of which he would be a part of. At 7 years old he took part in the Watts riots, and from then on set a path towards community service. Twenty-one years ago, he started Unity For A Better Community. He realized that communities needed to be unified for peace to exist. Via this organization he works to create positive change through music, facilitating the process of healing our society. 

Building his nonprofit came with the challenges of addressing generational trauma within communities of color and helping individuals see that change is not a threat. His book “Collaboration, Teamwork, and Network” teaches the principles of teamwork and highlights the importance of coming together as a community to help one another. Despite there being obstacles, Unity for A Better Community has grown on a global level. Dr. Higginbotham envisions the nonprofit as a bridge uniting people worldwide. His mission extends to cultivating a new generation of leaders equipped with the knowledge, tools, and mindset needed to uplift their communities and become agents of meaningful change. 

For more information about Unity For A Better Community, check out their website here. 

By Kayla Brooks

On Saturday, October 12th, 2024, I had the pleasure of joining my colleagues at the Carpenter Center on campus for a live dance performance by A.I.M, directed by the company’s founder, Kyle Abraham. Established in 2006, A.I.M—short for Abraham in Motion—is a collective dedicated to showcasing dance works that tell the stories of Black and Queer culture. The performance, created in collaboration with artists from various disciplines, connects a sensual and provocative vocabulary, with a strong emphasis on music, video, and visual art. 

The performance explored themes of friendship, romance, self-love, resilience, and growth. My personal favorite, “Someday Soon,” was choreographed by the award-winning professional dancer Keerati Jinakunwiphat. It exemplified A.I.M’s core values, which include authenticity and developing a unique voice, striving for excellence as historically oppressed people, supporting one another, and maintaining integrity. The dancers moved with passion and devotion. It was truly captivating to witness how their bodies moved to convey a story. Every aspect of the performance was well crafted, from the costume design to the production and music. I thoroughly enjoyed the visuals and props that enhanced a performance already brought to life by the talented dancers. 

Additionally, I had the opportunity to ask Keturah Stephens, one of the dancers who I found especially charming and skilled, a question after her solo performance. I asked, “I know that dance is one of your forms of self-expression. But, if you could translate your performance into words, what would they be?” She gave me a smile and replied, “This may sound cliché, but I would describe it as me. Dance is a part of who I am. As I grow, my love for it deepens. My solo reflects the emotions I experience as a Black female dancer, and I pour all of my joy, pain, and yearning into every performance.” 

I am truly looking forward to seeing another performance by A.I.M. It was a pleasure to experience the beauty of dance through the perspective of someone who shares similar struggles reflected in the stories exuded through these dances. 

To get information about upcoming A.I.M performances or learn more about their mission please visit their website.

Noah Gordon

Meet Noah Gordon, the new Assistant Director of the Men’s Success Initiative at California State University, Long Beach. As a proud two-time alumnus of CSULB, Noah earned his Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies in Spring 2020 and his Master of Science in School Counseling in Spring 2023. This is his first year back at California State University Long Beach, where he brings his passion for student success and community-building to students. He is also a proud member of the Chi Beta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. 

By Emmanuel Okereke

Noah’s journey at CSULB began as a student who discovered a strong sense of belonging through the support of Black student organizations and faculty. After completing his graduate studies, he returned to CSULB with a mission to cultivate that same supportive environment for current students. For Noah, the most rewarding part of his work is creating the kind of connections and relationships that helped him navigate his own academic journey. He is passionate about providing others the same sense of belonging and guidance that shaped his own success. 

One of Noah’s favorite aspects of working at CSULB is the shared sense of community he feels with students. “Long Beach is a place where people from different cultures can come together, and find common ground,” he says. He believes that the university's culture of inclusivity helps students not only thrive academically but also embrace their unique identities. Prior to working at CSULB, Noah has served as the B.S.A.P. Counselor at King Drew Medical Magnet High School in Willowbrook in the Los Angeles County. In this capacity, he worked to support Black students in achieving academic success, promoting college readiness, and building leadership skills. He is dedicated to ensuring that these students have the resources and mentorship they need to succeed both academically and personally. 

Noah reflects on the invaluable advice he received from his mentor, Dr. John Hamilton, which he now passes on to students: “Don’t be comfortable with the connections you have now. Always be open to meeting new people.” This piece of guidance was crucial to Noah’s own success, as the relationships he built throughout his undergraduate and graduate years played a pivotal role in bringing him back to Long Beach. He encourages students to be proactive in cultivating meaningful connections, as those relationships will often serve as the foundation for future opportunities. Noah is excited to be part of the CSULB community again, and he is committed to helping students discover and pursue their academic and personal goals. His passion for education and student success is rooted in his belief that mentorship and community are essential to achieving greatness. 

Legacy In Leadership: Honoring Your Impact 

By Tracy Kelly

As we approach the end of another year, we want to extend our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and generosity. Your contributions have made a profound and direct impact on the lives of twenty-seven scholars this year, empowering them to pursue their dreams and achieve academic excellence. But the work continues.  

This holiday season, we celebrate the spirit of giving and the incredible community that you have helped build. Your dedication to fostering education and opportunity for Black scholars is truly inspiring, and we are honored to have you as partners in this journey. 

If you haven’t had the opportunity to support yet, Giving Tuesday is December 3, 2024. Please check with your employer as many companies match their employees’ charitable contributions, effectively doubling the impact of your donation. Give to CSULB 

May your holidays be filled with joy, warmth, and cherished moments with loved ones. We look forward to continuing our mission together in the coming year, creating even more opportunities for our scholars to thrive. 

Thank you for being a beacon of hope and change and teaching students about the power of community. 

News Highlights

2025-2026 FAFSA

The 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available! Students may submit their 2025-26 FAFSA form here.

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