The Black American Political Association of California (BAPAC) hosted “Rise Up – African American Student Leadership Conference” on Oct. 25 in the Old Administration Building. High school and college students were invited to attend panels led by Black Fresno City College staff and students on creating paths for their futures.
Students were divided into groups to rotate between speakers. Active participation from students transformed the panels from lectures to conversations about social issues in the Black community.
BAPAC president Debbie Darden said the conference aimed to give Black students resources and connections to higher education.
“We want to give them as much information as we can before they leave high school,” Darden said.Umoja Community counselor Davion Baker presented the education/financial panel, where he introduced the idea of actualizing mental goals by physically writing them down.
“The truth about college and pursuing your dream is about writing it down and knowing exactly what you wanna do,” Baker said. “It’s about setting yourself up for success.”
FCC Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) counselor Curtis Combs worked with school psychologist Chris Pennywell to present a panel on mental health. Pennywell spoke about the struggle of transitioning from high school to college and urged students to reach out to their communities if they find themselves “mentally stuck.”
“If the support system is strong, it doesn’t matter what’s going on out there,” Pennywell said. “Keep your friends tight, family tight, go get some counseling. If you need it, get it, and be honest about it.”
Students expressed concern about societal expectations and limitations based on their race. According to Pennywell, stereotyping from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the workforce overwrites the work Black people put in to achieve their goals.
“You get into these places of certain jobs, certain positions, and now they said the reason why you got there was not because you’re qualified, but because they had to meet a quota,” Pennywell said.
The Trump Administration called for the end of DEI programs and training earlier this year in an Executive Order titled, “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.” Despite claiming to serve every American with “equal dignity and respect,” the erasure of the program has brought worries for under-represented communities.
In September, the U.S. Department of Education cut funding for grants provided to minority-serving institutions, stating the grants to be “racially discriminatory.”
Darden hosted a panel on the importance of voting to combat the loss of jobs and funding. Information about pre-registering to vote was given out to students.
“We need to be seen, heard and counted,” Darden said. “Let people see who you are. Let people hear what you’ve got to say. If you let somebody else write your story, you may not like the ending.”
Darden said that having Black staff and students is crucial for Black youth to see in higher education, especially for students who don’t believe they belong in college.
“We want them to come here so that they know any and everybody can go. You can aim high, but you can go into whatever it is that you wanna be as long as you work for it,” Darden said.
FCC student panelists spoke about their majors, life in college and how they’ve been aiming high to succeed in their fields. African-American studies major Camron Evans said he wanted to educate people about Black history in light of cultural programs disappearing. Law pathways student Chanell Conley wanted to put her best forth for the next generation.
“I want to be an impact to my people,” Conley said.
The conference closed with a visit to the Umoja Community village located at LI-140 on campus, a private space offered for community members to study and spend time with other students.
“It’s all about them. Take ownership in what you’re doing, take ownership in participating,” Darden said. “It’s up to you what you do with that information, but go put it into action. If you don’t put anything into action, nothing changes.”
