By Dianne Anderson

A²MEND may not be a new program, but it is new to Long Beach City College and organizers are ready to roll on building a greater sense of belonging and identity for young Black males on campus.

Dr. Elijah Sims, recent A²MEND program director, applauded the campus board and president for staying focused on the need for student equity and inclusion in promoting the new club.

“I’m really proud that we were able to get chancellor support and funding to begin the program here, and proud of the organization as a whole that started small and grew and spread throughout the system at institutions,” said Dr. Sims, also Interim Director of the Long Beach College Promise.

In the coming weeks of Black History Month, he along with club advisor Carl Kemp, and Dr. Chrishaad Moye, will be pushing out information to get more Black male students involved in the program that is set to gear up for spring.

He said one priority in reaching first generation college goers is to try to draw in their families. The college experience can be overwhelming, particularly for students of color.

“One of the central ways is to invite their families onto the campus to hear who we are and what we have to offer holistically, to show them all the different Black faculty staff and administrators whose jobs are to support them,” he said.

It takes a village, and he said families must be included in educational goals, to share with the students, and cheer them on.

“[It’s] have you spoken to Elijah, Chris [Moye], did you see Carl? I want them to know there’s 20 different people here to support them, and to be able to hold their sons, daughters, grandchildren, nieces and nephews a little more accountable,” he said.

But campus life can be intimidating.

He heard one person describe college for students of color, comparing it to an airport in a foreign country where all signs are in an unknown language. The metaphor also translates to Black students.

“You can see and feel the energy of movement of that space and it seems like they’re moving toward a clear destination,” he said. “You feel paralyzed and not sure how to choose your next steps. For some of our students, that’s how college feels.”

Students in the program will be connected with a strong campus network so they never feel lost.

For the most part, he said there is a need to meet Black students where they are, and build on the success from there.

“We are not a monolith. Some of our students may be high income and high-achieving, some of our students come from a context of struggle. It’s important not to put them in a category based on a stereotype, but meet them, assess their need and create a plan that meets the need,” he said.

Chrishaad Moye said his students have been nonstop busy on Black History Month projects, taking the lead on some of the best entertainment and culture the school has to offer.

“It’s kind of like a party, we have performers on stage, and balloon arch on campus. Students can come by and learn the different programs we have going on for the month. It’s very festive,” he said.

Moye, who developed and leads the Umoja program, said they are kicking off programs with music, food, and a resource fair. Umoja students will be out in force letting their peers know all the program has to offer.

For the month and through the year, he feels it’s about embracing the culture, encouraging each other, and helping students connect with resources.

He is also energized with A²MEND under the leadership of Dr. Sims. As the program ramps up, he expects more hands on deck. Last fall, students were introduced to the concept with a game night and prizes, and it seems the word is getting around.

“That was our beginning to see what our population is, to see what students want to be a part of it. Come spring, we’ll hit the ground running with the A²MEND program,” he said.

This year, he said it’s great to see Black History Month break out with real time events, and many students bringing next-level creativity.

“I’m looking forward to passing the ring to the students,” he said. “This is the way for us to help them develop leadership skills. When students take the lead, they take ownership and feel involved.”

For other nearby events, on February 9, a Kick-off Black College Expo Weekend features a $10,000 Step Show Competition. The event is hosted by the National College Resources Foundation and features surprise celebrity guests. The show starts at 7:00 p.m., located at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 South Figueroa Street in Los Angeles. Tickets are $10.

On Saturday, February 10, higher education treks continue at the 25th Annual Los Angeles Black College Expo where thousands will turn out for scholarships and access to HBCUs and over 100 other colleges and universities. Also hosted by the National College Resources Foundation, students can get accepted to colleges on the spot, with college application fees waived. There will be seminars, workshops, jobs, internships and career information.

“Since 1999, NCRF has helped over 600,000 students get into college, has given away over 2 million in scholarships and through programs and services, NCRF has helped students secure over $4 BILLION in scholarships and grants,” according to their website.

For LBCC BHM events, see  https://www.lbcc.edu/post/black-history-events

And,  https://a2mend.net/

For more information and times on NCRF, see  https://www.thecollegeexpo.org/