On Friday, February 7, California State University, Dominguez Hills hosted a landmark event celebrating the launch of the state’s new Black-Serving Institutions (BSI) designation program. The initiative, established by SB 1348, aims to recognize and support colleges and universities that excel in providing academic opportunities and support for Black students.
The event, held at CSUDH’s Innovation and Instruction Building, brought together state leaders, educators, and students to discuss the program’s potential impact on racial justice and academic success in California’s higher education system. Speakers included Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson), who emphasized the importance of creating inclusive learning environments for all students.
“While many view servingness through the lens of demographic or numerical measures, the concept goes beyond simply meeting a certain threshold of enrollment to encompass an institution’s support for the populations it serves,” said CSUDH President Thomas A. Parham, Ph.D. “Servingness is about the quality of the educational experience students, faculty, staff, and executives receive and the opportunities they have to grow and develop in that environment.”
Assemblymember Gipson, who has proposed legislation (AB 335) to establish a $75 million grant program for BSIs, highlighted the potential impact of the designation. “This vision will speak. This vision will live and grow for generations to come,” Gipson said. “We’re asking for an investment by this state into this idea: that we can do it. We can be there for our Black students in the state of California.”
The event also showcased the ongoing efforts of institutions like CSUDH to promote equity and inclusion. Attendees were treated to a student poem and had the opportunity to engage with university leadership and elected officials during a luncheon. The celebration continued into the evening with a performance of “And Still We Rise,” featuring the Inner City Youth Orchestra.
To qualify as a Black Serving Institution under SB 1348, a college or university must enroll at least 1,500 Black students or have a student body that is at least 10% Black. Additionally, institutions must demonstrate a commitment to supporting Black student success through various measures, including dedicated resources, programs, and academic support services.
As California continues to lead the way in promoting diversity and equity in higher education, the BSI designation represents a significant step towards recognizing and supporting institutions that play a crucial role in advancing opportunities for Black students. With the potential for future grant funding through AB 335, the program is poised to make a lasting impact on the state’s educational landscape and the lives of countless students.
The launch event at CSUDH not only celebrated the inception of the BSI program but also served as a platform for discussing future opportunities to ensure that diverse institutions successfully drive equitable outcomes. As the program takes root, it is expected to inspire other states to consider similar initiatives, potentially reshaping the national conversation on equity in higher education.
“At California State University Dominguez Hills, we are proud to be leaders in a system of higher education that works to improve Black students’ outcomes, and elevate Black excellence starting with recruitment, enrollment, all the way to career success,” Parham said. “The California leaders here today should be lauded for having the long-term vision to invest in these efforts and approach this work with intentionality.”
“California is making history with the launch of the Black-Serving Institution designation—an initiative that will open doors, break barriers, and ensure that Black students have the resources and support they need to thrive in higher education,” said Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis. “As Chair of the Board for Black-Serving Institutions and the only statewide elected official serving on the boards of all three of California’s higher education systems, I am committed to making sure this designation delivers real impact and helps create a future where every Black student in California has the opportunity to succeed.”
A video recording of the event can be viewed here.
