CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH
BLACK SCHOLARS NEWSLETTER
October 14, 2026
The Black Scholars Newsletter shares dynamic, informative and empowering stories that uplift, encourage, and inspire our community.
| | To get more announcements, and stay up to date with community events and opportunities, follow us on Instagram @csulbblackscholars | | | In this episode of Beach Peeps, CSULB Vice President of Student Affairs Beth Lesen sits down with Z’nya Spears, a molecular cell biology and physiology major who has found numerous ways to stay involved on campus. Z’nya shares how her passion for science prepares her for a future as a physician assistant. As Co-founder and President of the Black Health Professions Organization, she helps build a supportive community that strives to create a more representative healthcare field. Outside the classroom, Z’nya expresses herself through dance as a member of the Long Beach Honeys. She also celebrates Black excellence through the Black Scholars newsletter, sharing student achievements to readers. Through leadership, creativity, and the guidance of meaningful mentors, Z’nya has built a college experience centered on community and purpose. | | | | |
By Toi Glover
Building a sense of belonging on a college campus is no small task, but for Dr. Hermen Díaz III, it is a mission rooted in both personal experience and professional expertise. As the new Director of the Office of Belonging and Inclusion (OBI), Díaz hopes to strengthen connections across the Cal State University Long Beach (CSULB) community while supporting the success of students from all backgrounds.
| | National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Gala | |
By SaRai Sherman
On September 12, 2026, I attended the NAACP Long Beach Branch Freedom Fund Gala, an evening dedicated to honoring leaders, advocates, and students whose contributions continue to strengthen the Long Beach community.
| | | | | The 2026 Kusanyiko/ Black Cultural Welcome | |
By Toi Glover
On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the Department of Africana Studies and the Black Scholars Program hosted the annual Kusanyiko/Black Cultural Welcome. Students, faculty, and staff gathered at the Speakers Platform to celebrate culture, connection, and community. More than 40 participants visited CSULB's Black student organizations to learn about their missions and explore opportunities to get involved.
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By Toi Glover
The evening began with YaYa Bey, whose blend of R&B, jazz, and soul immediately captivated the audience. Her powerful vocals filled the Carpenter Center, drawing attendees into every note. Throughout her set, Bey encouraged the audience to stand, dance, and fully embrace the music, creating an energetic atmosphere that built anticipation for Bilal's performance. When Bilal took the stage, the audience erupted in applause as he delivered a dynamic mix of soul, funk, and jazz. The excitement reached its peak during his performance of "Soul Sista," prompting cheers throughout the venue. Even after leaving the stage, the crowd's enthusiasm brought him back for one final song. As guests made their way through the Carpenter Center lobby, many reflected on a memorable evening marked by music, energy, and connection.
| | The Black Experience Reunion: Karaoke Night | | |
By Chidinma Nwokorie
There was high energy that consumed the Black Resource Center (BRC) as Black Excellence Experience (BEE) students came together for the first time since the Summer Bridge Program. Students sang along to some of their favorite songs from artists like Mike Sherm and Tee Grizzley, as well as throwback hits from Destiny's Child and T-Pain. The event felt like a reunion, giving students the opportunity to eat food, catch up with one another, and enjoy being back together. First-year student Joshua Cannales shared that his favorite part of the event was “singing ‘First Day Out’ with the other BEE students,” adding that there was “good pizza” and “fire wings.” Similarly, first-year student Austin Brown said his favorite part was “seeing the Black community come together and socialize.” Through music, conversation, and shared experiences, the event created a welcoming space for students to reconnect and strengthen their sense of community.
| | | | Want us to highlight someone you know? Send us the names of people or organizations you think should be recognized and we’ll share their accomplishments in our monthly newsletter. Submit your articles to blackscholars@csulb.edu. | | Become a Black Scholars Volunteer | The Black Scholars Program invites any community member who would like to help us with upcoming programming including campus tours, tabling events, and the annual gala committees to sign up as an official CSULB volunteer. Use the link below to register and designate your interest in the Black Alumni Scholars Program. We will make updates as new volunteer opportunities become available, and look forward to working with you! | | | | |
Beach Nexus: Black Alumni Network
Connect. Learn. Collaborate.
| | Join the Black Alumni Network | The Black Scholars Team, in collaboration with Alumni Services, has launched the Black Alumni Network on the Beach Nexus platform. Be part of a powerful intergenerational community supporting Black students at CSULB. Share your journey, offer guidance, and help shape the next generation of Black Excellence. | | We Want to Hear Your Voice | The Black Scholars team wants to hear your voice in our newsletter. We want everyone who feels inspired to contribute to know that their perspective matters and is welcomed. As a small token of appreciation, anyone who submits an article will be entered into a drawing for an Amazon gift card. We’re excited to uplift your stories and insights. | | | | CSULB Opportunities and Programs | | |
Date: Saturday, October 10, November 12, December 12, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Location: Cal State University Long Beach
| | We are a group of educators and elders dedicated to the development of future Black educators. Our mission is to develop a flowing and sustainable pipeline of Black educators for public education leading and serving students, families, and communities in excellence. Our vision is for every child to have an effective Black teacher. | | Informal consultations with a CAPS counselor, online, or in person. A space to access support, gain perspective, explore resources, and see whether therapy might help. This service is an informal consultation, not therapy. Also, there is no appointment needed, just drop in. | | |
Date: Monday, October 12, 19, 26, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Location: Zoom
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Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026; Sunday, October 17, 2026; Sunday, October 20, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: BPASH at Parkside H
| | The Black Scholars Financial Workshop | Join us for this workshop series to learn how to maximize scholarship opportunities, strengthen your applications, and connect with resources that support your academic success. Discover the benefits of becoming a Black Scholars member and engaging with the Black Resource Center (BRC), where students gain access to mentorship, community, leadership development, academic support, and a network dedicated to help students thrive at CSULB. | | Riding the Wave of Wellness | CSULB Student Health Services is excited to host our 5th Annual Riding the Wave of Wellness Fair, and we invite you to join us for this engaging campus event. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with students and share resources that support their health, wellness, and overall success. | | |
Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM- 1:30 PM
Location: Speaker's Platform
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Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM- 5:00PM
Location: Japanese Garden
Requirements: $2 entry fee
| | The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden will host Art Days on the campus of California State University, Long Beach every third Thursday of the month. Various themes each month are designed to foster creativity and art creation in our living museum. | | Leadership @ The Beach Conference 2026 | Join us on Friday, October 16th for a dynamic day of leadership development, networking, and skill-building with fellow students and professionals. Students who attend the event will receive full credit and earn our Emerging Leaders Certificate, bringing them one step closer to earning the Leadership Cord of Excellence. | | |
Date: Friday, October 16, 2026
Time: 8:30 am- 3:30 PM
Location: Horn Center
Requirements: $5 entry fee
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Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM- 2:45 PM
Location: Black Resource Center
| | The purpose of Melanin Connect is simple: to make support, information, and connection more accessible to Black students by being present in a space where they already feel comfortable. I do not provide academic advising during this time. Instead, I help students identify who to contact, where to go for support, how to approach a conversation, and what resources may be available to them. | | Long Beach Jensen SAS Tutoring Center | Open to all CSULB students during the Fall and Spring semesters. Get help, build confidence, and succeed in your courses. | | |
Date: Monday-Thursday
Time: 10:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Location: Hall of Science 164
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Date: Wednesday, September 9, through Thursday, December 10, 2026
Time: Monday-Wednesday: 10:00 AM- 5:00 PM, Thursday: 10:00 AM- 7:00 PM
Location: Kleefeild Art Museum
| | Kleefeild Contemporary Art at Cal State University Long Beach | Kleefeild Contemporary Art Museum reopens Wednesday, September 9 through December 10 with new programming and exhibitions! | | CAPS is here to support students’ mental and emotional well‑being. Through counseling groups and practical workshops, CAPS provides a safe, confidential space to learn coping skills, connect with others, and navigate life’s challenges. | | |
Date: Monday-Friday
Time: 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Location: Brotman Hall 226
Contact: 562-985-4001
| | Community Events and Programs | | |
Date: Thursday, October 1- Monday, November 2, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM- 1:00 AM
Location: 210 The Promenade N., Downton Long Beach
| | The Haunting comes to the Ordinarie | |
This Halloween, The Haunting comes to The Ordinarie—a delightfully dark cocktail pop-up from the same team behind our Christmas Miracle experience. Expect an
all-new lineup of spooky cocktails,
collectible mugs, vintage Halloween oddities, and plenty of eerie surprises throughout the bar. We’re still the same family decorating every corner ourselves, but this year we’re going bigger, stranger, and spookier than ever.
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The 2026 Long Beach Open Studio Tour
| In celebration of Long Beach Arts Month as well as the National Arts and Humanities Month, 80+ studios with 120+ artists will be opening their creative spaces to visitors for the Long Beach Open Studio Tour (LBOST) during 4 weekends in October. | | |
Date: Saturday, October 10, 17, 24- Sunday, October 11, 18, 25, 2026
Time: TBD
Location: Belmont, Uptown, Downton, and Eastside Long Beach
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Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM- 8:00 PM
Location: 200 West Broadway Long Beach, California 90802
| | There’s plenty more happening throughout the DTLB Design District this month. AIA Long Beach/South Bay brings architects and designers together at the Billie Jean King Main Library for a mass timber tour and panel discussion, exploring lessons from the library and other built projects. | | Carpenter Center Event: Mumu Fresh | Maimouna Youssef (aka Mumu Fresh) is a Grammy-nominated singer, mc, songwriter, activist, and acclaimed hip hop artist who’s been called a “quadruple threat” by the Roots’ Black Thought and “groundbreaking” by Oscar-winning artist, Common. Mumu Fresh draws from her expansive musical background in gospel, jazz, soul, hip hop, and more in this uplifting program. | | |
Date: Friday, October 16, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Carpenter Center
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Date: Thursday, November 5- Sunday, November 8, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM- 6:00 PM
Location: November 5: CSULB Pyramid and November 7-8: Leimert Park
| | Black Speculative Arts Movement LA Conference | Join the Black Speculative Arts Movement (BSAM) LA Conference, November 5-8, 2026, at CSULB and Leimert Park. Through art, culture, technology, and community, the conference invites attendees to explore visionary ideas rooted in ancestral wisdom while imagining and building a more just future. | | Community Events and Programs | | Civic engagement starts with being informed. The NAACP encourages eligible voters to check their registration, stay aware of recent voting-related developments, and utilize available resources to ensure their voices are heard. | | | |
Artist: Carla Lima remixed this collage by Juliana Viana
Where to find it: Pinterest
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