students celebrating Black History Month and try traditional food from the culture.
On February 4, 2025, the Pan African Student Success Center, PASSC, hosted an opening ceremony to celebrate Black History Month to recognize the struggles and power that the African American community has faced and overcame throughout history.
During the Event, both Anthony Roberson, President of the Back Student Union and Dr. Brandon Gamble, director of the Office of Black Student Success, were interviewed and shared their thoughts on the importance the event has on the students, as well as the campus as a whole.
Pictured: a student, Lorena Marquez, Anthony Roberson, Dr. Brandon Gamble.
“Joy, resilience, but also really strong information about the amazing black history that’s even hear at Cal State San Bernardino, there’s been amazing things that have happened here… Black folks are a large part of developing and growing the Cal State system,” shares Dr. Gamble.
When asked what message they hoped the event can spread to students who attended said event and to students on campus overall:
Roberson also shared his response to the important message behind the opening ceremony to the event; “Building community, educating our campus community on our black hope, culture, and also our excellence as well.”
Events that celebrate Black History, such as this one, are beneficial for the campus to showcase diversity and give students the opportunity to feel seen and welcomed on campus. Giving a voice to their community that is often oppressed in society allows them to be who they are unapologetically when receiving their education, giving them a safe space to express themselves fully.
Dr. Gamble shares that “It allows folks to see our humanity, see our interests, right, and that we have so much in common with everyone else. If you see yourself at your university, you are more likely to stay at your university, graduate from your university, and be proud of your university.”
Students all over campus showed up for the event on the Coyote Walk in front of the SMSU North building to celebrate Black History Month. With raffles, free food, and entertainment, educating the campus community on the culture and history was a highlight for some students and what they were hoping to gain.
Two freshmen students, Jennah Abdulhaqq and Amora Prophette, were able to what motivated them to show up and stay for the event.
“Going to school events and getting to participate is what motivated me to come,” Abdulhaqq shares with the Coyote Chronicle.
When asked what they hoped to learn from the event, both Prophette and Abdulhaqq were able to tell us what an event like this means to the both of them.
“I’d love to learn new connections and people as well as more of my culture,” stated Prophette. “I hope it shows more awareness on our culture, and it shows that we are united, and we are together.”
Abdulhaqq adds on “I hope that it motivates them to come to more events like this and not just for the food, it doesn’t always have to be about the food, but information, learning new things, all that. Thats what I hope for.”
When us as students feel represented, it creates safe spaces for students to feel safe and happy with who they are. It also allows other students to learn more about others and their origins and backgrounds, creating an even more diverse environment to allow all students express themselves confidently without feeling confined.