Activities

Black Youth Guidance Forums and Sponsored Lectures
Total: 5 Events

Men of Color Enquiries and Sponsored Lectures
Total: 6 Events

Sponsored Presentations/Moderator Events
Total: 17 Events

Contracts with LAUSD Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP)
Total: 6 Contracts

Miscellaneous Events/Projects
Total: 5 Events

Research Assistant Trainings/Retreats/Activities
Total: 5 Events

Black Youth Guidance Forums

The Black Youth Guidance Forum (BYGF) is a day-long leadership program for CSUN students in the Africana Studies Urban Studies option, credential candidates, and Liberal Studies majors. We will also include African American youth and other youth of color, school stakeholders (e.g. parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, and staff), and nonprofit organizations in Los Angeles County.  

The BYGF serves: 

1. to promote racial uplift, health & wellness, college preparation, and leadership development to our target population
2. to provide assistance and training in culturally relevant practices for preparatory students at CSUN and school stakeholders 
3. to establish a college collaboratory (community partnerships) with nonprofit organizations for understanding and developing clear pathways for African American youth and other youth of color to enter post-secondary education

The BYGF provides participants with a unique opportunity to participate in educationally purposeful activities which include featured speakers, four instructional tracks (PreK-5 graders, 6-12 graders, Parent Advocacy, and Leadership), and the Nonprofit Resource & Advocacy fair. 

Africana Studies Plaque Installation Ceremony, November 4, 2023
BYGF, Africana Studies Plaque Installation Ceremony, February 15, 2023
Africana Studies Plaque Dedication Ceremony, November 4, 2022

Bi-Annual Men of Color Enquiry & Student Research Poster Sessions

The goal of these cultural enrichment activities is to provide co-curricular experiences in the classroom that reflect the course content and to share with the campus community the work of our undergraduate students who take courses within the Africana Studies department. In addition, Black men have experienced many challenges leading to issues with self-identity related to gender role conflicts and negative images in society. We have also experienced the many triumphs through our contributions to society through our Black aesthetics.

Men of Color Enquiry Events and Sponsored Lectures

• Panelist, 2nd Annual Black Student Excellence Summit, Cleveland Charter High School, March 15, 2023
• Presenter, Building a Sense of Belonging through Mentorship in African American Communities, 15th annual Mentoring Conference, Fostering Diverse Communities of Mentorship: Evidence-Based Practices for Reciprocal Growth, October 26, 2022
• Moderator, 1992 Los Angeles Uprising: 30 years Later Conversations about Cultural Solidarity, Community Building and Hope, Annual Asian American Studies Distinguished Lecture Event, April 29, 2022
• Moderator, The Intersection of the Blaxploitation Film Genre and Afrofuturism with Christopher St. John and Leonard Clifton, April 18, 2022
• Presenter, “I am who I am and that’s enough: Understanding Black Racial Identity “The African American Empowerment Parent Summit, with Village Nation, LAUSD, and African American Leadership Organization, February 5, 2022
• Moderator, Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute: Memorializing Legacies, Black History Month, CSUN, January 18, 2022
• NUA Facilitator, Engaging Through History: Transcending Through Empathy, National Urban Alliance Summer Institute June 15-17, 2021
• Guest Lecture, Hip Hop Lecture, Business of Hip Hop (BUS 37, SMC, May 11, 2021)
• Presenter, “Promoting the Flow: An Ethno-Action Plan for Hiphoppas”, The African American Empowerment Parent Summit, with Village Nation, LAUSD, and African American Leadership Organization, February 27, 2021
• Guest Lecture, Celebrating the Legacy of Martin Luther King, Black History Month, CSUN, February 1, 2021 
• Guest Lecture, Promoting Black Excellence: Daring Conversations MLK Day and Black History Month, Procore Technologies is a US construction project management software company, January 27, 2021
• Panelist, Police Brutality in The United States, June 21, 2020
• Guest Speaker, Harambee Conference (Community College), February 28, 2020
• Moderator, Chris Martin of Kid n Play “And I Danced documentary,” February 24, 2020
• Moderator, “A Conversation with Vincent Wilburn Jr, nephew of Miles Davis, Gotts Dance Studio, Black History Month Celebration, February 22, 2020
• Presenter, “Promoting the Flow: An Ethno-Action Plan for Hiphoppas”, The African American Empowerment Parent Summit, with Village Nation, LAUSD, and African American Leadership Organization, February 8, 2020
• Guest Lecture, Ethno-Flowknowledgy Framework, AFRS 395: Bilingualism in the African American Community, October 23, 2019

• Professor Johnie Scott Memorial Service, April 2023
• Africana Studies Plaque Installation Ceremony, February 15, 2023
• Africana Studies Plaque Dedication Ceremony, November 4, 2022
• Professor James Dennis Memorial Service, February 23, 2022
• Real Black Men Read-Saturday Enrichment Program-DHIAA Golden Aya (Tanzania Project), April 24, 2021
   

DHIAA Promotional Video

Since Fall 2022, DHIAA developed 5 Research Assistant training and retreats for professional development. The objective was to provide exposure to a number of resources and services that assist students in the development of effective job skills enabling them to professionally represent themselves to prospective employers and ultimately attain their employment goals.

Specifically, the RA training covered various topics including:

• Student development
• Email Etiquette
• Program and budget development
• Leadership
• Clifton Strengths
• Report Writing

The events took place:
October 22, 2022
November 19, 2022
April 29, 2023
May 5, 2023
July 29, 2023

ACTIVITIES: Research Assistants have been heavily involved in the planning and execution of Africana Studies signature events including Africana Studies week in November, Black History Month, Men of Color programs, Black Student Achievement Plans in the LAUSD, annual Black Youth Guidance Forums, and Graduate Award Receptions for our AFRS graduates.