Kevin Jones never expected to graduate from college. In fact, after graduating from high school in 1988, he made the conscious decision not to pursue higher education - even though his three sisters had all gone on to university studies. “School and I were not friends,” recalls Jones. “All the way through elementary school, then in high school, I just wasn't the typical kid. I was the nerdy type that wasn't accepted. So by the time 1988 came around, I had made up my mind. I was done with school.” Jones went so far as to hold a mock funeral in the backyard of his mother's house, digging a hole and burying his textbooks in it. He had decided that the blue collar lifestyle suited him ... Read More
Features
CSUDH Celebrates 16th Annual Earth Day Festival
Officially, International Earth Day is commemorated on April 22 this year, and its theme is “Invest in Our Planet.” CSUDH held its 16th annual Earth Day Festival on April 18, and the message that sustainable practices can create prosperity for people and businesses alike was clearly on display. Organized by the university's Office of Sustainability, the festival included exhibits by nearly two dozen campus and statewide organizations. Southern California Edison displayed their electric Ford F-150 Lightning to show the company's commitment to growing their electric fleet, from pickup trucks to larger service vehicles. Other events included a Farmer's Market with locally and sustainably ... Read More
Education is the Key for Black Resource Center Interim Director
For Trimaine Davis, the new interim director of the CSUDH Black Resource Center (BRC), education was his way out of a generational cycle of addiction and depression. Now, he dedicates himself to helping others find the same opportunities. “I really take this seriously and do what I can to make sure that the doors that were opened for me remain open for those who are falling behind,” he says. Davis has traveled a long, hard road to get to his current position at CSUDH. Born to a drug-addicted mother and absentee father, he was placed into foster care at birth. When he was five years old, Davis' paternal grandmother became his legal guardian, and he grew up with her in the hardscrabble East ... Read More
Toros Educate West Carson on Pollution Risks
Cynthia Babich, founder of the Del Amo Action Committee (DAAC), doesn't mince words when assessing the environmental hazards that have put residents of West Carson–predominantly low-income residents of color–at significant risk for decades. “We're choking here. We're absolutely choking,” Babich said during a recent community open house, referring to the findings of a DAAC health report on airborne contaminants. In fact, air pollution is just one of many environmental risks that residents face. The DAAC office stands just a few blocks south of the Del Amo Superfund Site. The office was founded in 1994 to inform residents about the high levels of soil and groundwater ... Read More
Africana Studies Professor Puts Students First
Everyone who attended the Black History Month opening celebration at CSUDH in early February was struck by the passion and energy of the woman who kicked off the proceedings. As she recited two poems and performed an original song, it was clear that Africana Studies Adjunct Professor Meryah Fisher had a palpable connection to the students in attendance, who enthusiastically cheered and danced along. Such connections are by design. A large part of Fisher's teaching is formulated to center her students as people before delving into the coursework. “We start out every single day with the question 'How are you?',” she says. “I didn't even bother going over the syllabus during the first week ... Read More
