Join us for a continental breakfast and networking to begin the day. Attendees can visit with campus departments and organizations to learn about available resources.

We are kicking off our 2022 conference with a welcome from our ASI Student Government leaders followed by an opening keynote address from Dr. Alfredo Carlos.

Dr. Alfredo Carlos is a faculty member in the department of political science at LBSU. Currently on professional leave from LBSU, he is serving as the Interim Director of Chicano Studies at Eastern Washington University. When not working in higher education, he spends time as the founder and director of the Foundation for Economic Democracy, an organization that promotes democratic worker ownership of businesses and community ownership of land and housing. A Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbor area native, he grew up in an immigrant working-class family and community, which has informed his education and given him a purpose of advocating for economic and racial justice in solidarity with working people trying to live with dignity. He holds a doctorate in political science from the University of California, Irvine where he specialized in the fields of political economy, and American racial and urban politics. In addition, he earned his master’s in political science from CSULB with a focus in comparative politics and international relations and has a bachelor’s is in history and chicano studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is the co-author of “The Latino Question,” which was named “Best Book in Latino Politics” in 2019 by the American Political Science Association.

UndocuAlly 101

Presented by Norma Salinas and Fatima Zeferino, Dream Success Center

UndocuAlly 101 workshop will strive to promote peer support to our undocumented students at The Beach. The workshop will include information on inclusive language, data, and thought-provoking scenarios. We hope students can engage in dialogue on how to best support their peers.

Norma Salina is a graduate student in the LBSU counseling program and works as the student assistant lead for the Dream Success Center (DSC). She’s excited to be part of the Student of Color Conference and present an UndocuAlly workshop with AB540 commissioner Fatima Zeferino. As an AB540 student herself, Salina enjoys advocating and informing students of undocumented students experience to provide an inclusive space. She continues to work with the DSC help with outreach within the CSULB community and foster a friendly and inclusive campus community. More than anything, Salina is dedicated to amplifying the educational experience of students and helping her peers find personal success regardless of their immigration status.

Fatima Zeferino is a second-year student at LBSU, a first-generation student and the eldest daughter in her family. Since enrolling at The Beach, she’s been a part of various leadership roles on campus including working as a mentor, research assistant, the For Undocumented Empowered Leaders (F.U.E.L.) President, and the Commissioner for AB540 and Undocumented Students on campus. Through these experiences, Zeferino has grown her professional and personal skillsets.

Equity Lens on Leadership: Creating Opportunities for BIPOC People

Presented by Dr. Keyon Anderson, Professor for the School of Social Work

Equity isn't fair, but it's just – therefore, as we are developing Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) leaders, we must do so from an equitable lens. This workshop provides inspiring BIPOC leaders with an equitable framing to remove old glass ceilings and turn them into our new stomping grounds.

As a young African American, Dr. Keyon L. Anderson encountered and overcame many systemic hardships while seeking a better future for himself and his family. After achieving a bachelor’s in social work from LBSU in 2012, he returned to attain a masters in social work in 2016. Following, Dr. Keyon Anderson completed a doctorate in education , specifically in educational leadership from the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education. A a true believer in always progressing forward, he’s focused his career efforts on helping underserved populations through non-profit collaborations, peer development training, community advocacy work and teaching. In addition, he’s published a total of 15 children and teen books and became a best-selling author. Moving from one accomplishment to the next, he aspires to empower others to know that evaluation is limitless.

"Old glass ceilings are our new stomping grounds."- Dr. Keyon Anderson

Join us for lunch and part two of the resource fair! Pull from icebreaker questions, stop by the partner tables and meet people who want to connect. Student organizations and departments are looking forward to sharing their resources and inviting you to join their mission in supporting students of color at LBSU and beyond.

In the journey to “Redefine Our Tomorrow,” we will discuss where we have come from, the challenges we have overcome, and celebrate the paths we are on today. Join us for a moderated panel featuring LBSU students who share their successes, what resources they recommend, and what work can we all do together for students of color at LBSU.

Panelists to be announced. Attend for inspiration from others and a chance to learn more about tools for finding success.

ASI is excited to host Dr. Shelly Collins for an invigorating keynote to close out the conference. 

Dr. Shelly is a native of Jamaica and a licensed psychologist who specializes in relationships, racial, gender and sexual minority mental health, increasing cultural competence and fostering a sense of belonging. In addition to her clinical work as a staff psychologist at California State University, and in private practice at The Black Girl Doctor, she is also and an adjunct professor for the City College of San Francisco. Dr. Shelly is a change maker, committed to promoting equity and inclusion and is the current co-chair of the CSULB Division of Student Affairs Equity & Inclusion Task Force, the current president of the Black Faculty & Staff Association, a 2022 recipient of the NASPA Silver Award in Excellence (area of Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice) and published in the area of microaggressions among highly educated people of color. She is an experienced speaker, who presents for corporate and academic audiences on topics such as inclusion, relational health and wellness, racial trauma, radical resilience and multicultural competence.

The conference will end with fun and friends! The program will end with a social for everyone to continue great conversations, connect with new friends and share the important lessons to carry on beyond the conference. There will be an open mic, desserts to enjoy and an opportunity drawing.