@State Apr 2018 - Black Resource Center

SDSU's New Black Resource Center Builds on a Legacy of "Black Excellence"

By La Monica Everett-Haynes

SDSU's new Black Resource Center, founded through a student-led initiative, was introduced during a celebration held this week, closing out Black History Month events. Speaking during the ceremony, SDSU President Sally Roush said the center "demonstrates how our students are continuing our tradition of black leadership and excellence."

San Diego State University has founded a Black Resource Center (BRC) to serve as a space for students, faculty and staff to congregate, collaborate and cultivate a unified sense of community.

Hundreds of SDSU administrators, students, alumni and community members attended a celebration a grand opening celebration, held Feb. 28 under the theme of "Black Excellence: Past, Present and Future."

SDSU President Sally Roush spoke to the "critical" importance of the center, which was established through a student-led initiative.

"I am continually amazed by our students and their passion to contribute to the success of each other," Roush told the audience in attendance. "The Black Resource Center will be a living testament to that passion."

The BRC was also established to honor and celebrate the historic and contemporary contributions of individuals representing the African diaspora, including students who led the initiative resulting in its creation.

"I see this space as a safe haven for black thought and a canvas for black creativity," said Christian Onwuka, a SDSU business major, one of several SDSU students deeply involved in the building's planning and design.

"The Black Resource Center will serve as a place for students to self-reflect on what they desire, with no worry, pressure or bias," Onwuka said. "A home away from home; we will let the BRC be the foundation on which our community stands and grows."

Continuing a Legacy of 'Black Excellence'

In 2016, members of SDSU's Afrikan Student Excellence Council and other students brought forth the idea for such a center to then-SDSU President Elliot Hirshman, Vice President for Student Affairs Eric Rivera and other SDSU administrators during the annual Super Sunday event held at Bayview Baptist Church in San Diego.

Before the event's end, Hirshman committed to the BRC's creation.

The center aligns with the SDSU's strategic mission to help ensure that students are academically and socially supported in ways that encourage retention, persistence and graduation. Housed in the SDSU Division of Student Affairs and an initiative of the division's strategic plan, the BRC will also be home of the Harambee Scholars Program. Through programming and support, the center will promote scholarship, foster leadership and aid students in their personal and professional growth.

"When we as black people have an opportunity to collaborate and our own place to congregate, it builds into our mindset the promotion of black excellence," said Associated Students President Chimezie O. Ebiriekwe, a business administration senior.

"I define black excellence as a presence of achievement within the black community that makes us proud of who we are and what we have accomplished and lets us know what we can achieve here as a unified force," Ebiriekwe also said. "The Black Resource Center can take the support I received my freshman year to the next level. Increased support for our black students means increased retention for our black students."

Speaking to examples of "black excellence" at SDSU, Roush spoke of Lela and Henrietta Goodwin, the first African-Americans to attend SDSU; Henrietta Goodwin became the first African-American graduate in 1913.

"This Black Resource Center demonstrates how our students are continuing our tradition of black leadership and excellence. Our tradition of black excellence stretches back more than a century," Roush said.

Roush also called to 1950 graduate Leon Williams, San Diego's first African-American city council member and began his decades of service in 1969. He also was San Diego County's first African-American supervisor. Also, Perette Godwin, a city public information officer and a former TV reporter who previously served as the SDSU Alumni Board president.

Roush also gave a nod to Hal Brown, a 1959 graduate who received an honorary doctorate degree from SDSU. Brown was president of SDSU's first African-American fraternity and a star basketball and baseball player.

"This is a drastic difference to when I graduated in 1959," Brown said, noting that 25 black students were studying at SDSU at the time. "We've come a long way, under a hard struggle, out of a lot of blood and a lot of hardship.

Looking to the Future

Poised to introduce programming beginning in March, the BRC will host a number of community receptions. Other programming, held in collaboration with partners throughout the Divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs, will focus on student's health and well-being, academic success, leadership development and career preparation.

"I am full of love and enthusiasm for what is before us," Quincey Penn, the Black Resource Center coordinator.

SDSU alumna Shareka White, assistant director of SDSU's Educational Opportunity Programs and Ethnic Affairs, helped pin the initial proposal with student leaders, leading to the BRC's creation.

"It has been such an amazing experience being part of the process of bringing the BRC to life," White said.

"Having been a student here and now working as an administrator with the students, this process and new center has a magnified meaning for me," she said. "I am thrilled to be part of something that will have lasting impacts on our current and future students as well as our alumni and other community members, on and off campus."

Upcoming Events

Starting in March, the BRC will host a number of community receptions. Other programming, held in collaboration with partners throughout the Divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs, will focus on student's health and well-being, academic success, leadership development and career preparation.

• Monday, March 12 BRC Tabling Fair 12-1 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 13 Career Services Presentation 12-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 14 Relax with Baxter and Dr. Zemed Berhe 12-1 p.m.
• Thursday, March 15 The Road to Guidance: Giving Back to our Youth 12-1 p.m.
• Friday, March 16 Health Services Dietitian Presentation 12:30-1:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 17 BRC Open House for Alumni and Community Members 5 p.m. (program begins at 5:30 p.m.)

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