Forward Michael Salazar led The Los Angeles Force soccer team as they defeated Capo FC from San Juan Capistrano 2-0 with his fifth total goal of the season at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
The Force came out hot kicking the first few shots of the game adding a ton of pressure around the box.
Multiple yellow cards were called against the Force with aggressive tackles being called within the 30th minute of the game.
As the first half winded down, Salazar broke the defense making him the lone man on a breakaway as he scored the first goal of the game in the 42nd minute giving Force the 1-0 lead going into halftime.
“Michael is our leader. A lot of guys look up to him for his experience, and we knew what we could do with his quality,” head coach Dekel Keinan said.
Forward Michael Salazar Jr. (9) takes the shot and gets the first goal and lead of the game for the L.A. Force. Salazar Jr. scored his fifth goal of the season making him the leading scorer for the team. (Ian Salazar)
The second half started with the Force gaining multiple possessions, playing passively as to not give up their one goal lead.
The physicality continued though as they would concede multiple fouls and free kicks to Capo FC within the first 20 minutes of the half.
Within the roar of the crowd, many Force players weren’t happy with some of the calls being made by the referees causing some conversation.
A second yellow card which translated into a red card was given to No. 80 Ivan Hernandez during the 85th minute.
Alex Juarez puts the game sealing goal in for the Force during the 89th minute as he scored his first of the season.
“They sent a long ball, I knew he would do his best for someone to run under him so I trusted him and executed the play perfectly,” Juarez said on how that possession unfolded.
The win put Force at the top of their group with 19 points topping Irvine Zeta FC for the time being.
The L.A. Force have called Veterans Memorial Stadium their home for the 2024 season after building a foundation in Pasadena.
Midfielder Ronaldo Pineda clears a kick across the field to his teammates. The L.A. Force secured victory against Capo FC during regular season play on Saturday for the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) to top the group standings. (Ian Salazar)
“The fans are out and they get bigger and bigger every game. We want to do our best to give back to the community,” captain Michael Salazar said on playing at the stadium.
The Force is set to play at home against Irvine Zeta FC in their next game at Veterans Memorial Stadium on July 20.
Destruction and rebirth was the focus of the Age of Aquarius fashion show that took place in the packed aquatic center as LBCC, Renaissance High School and Millikan High School students showcased their creativity and resolve through their fashion creations.
In addition to being a fashion show, the event was also a competition, judged by people working in the fashion industry, such as Nike and FashionNova, for scholarship opportunities.
“This is our 39th show. It has happened every two years for a very long time, but because of the pandemic, our show had to go on hiatus as we brought students’ skills up to a level where they can create garments that can go on the runway,” said fashion and merchandising program director Chantel Bryant.
aaziel Mora (center), Raquel Grass (left) and Hasana Alexander (right) walking the runway. Age of Aquarius fashion show took place at LBCC’s aquatic center as LBCC, Renaissance High School and Millikan High School students showcased their creativity through their fashion creations on May 25. (Lineth Murillo)
The fashion show hasn’t been held since 2019 it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic which meant many past students didn’t get a chance to show off their work.
“We have a broad range of students covering the last six years. Some have traveled from out of state to showcase their garments here tonight,” Bryant said.
Students could submit garments in seven categories: who best fit the theme, swimwear, senior collections, day dresses, sportswear, eveningwear, and special occasions.
In addition, students could win best in show, most marketable and the next generation awards for high school students.
Randy Fernando received the best in show award which is for the garment that stunned the judges the most, he also won first place for sunlight style.
“I’m so proud of him, I know that’s his passion and we are just here to support him and cheer him on,” said Fernando’s sister Marilyn Toledo.
Lake Lam model and designer walking the runway. Age of Aquarius fashion show took place at LBCC’s aquatic center as LBCC, Renaissance High School and Millikan High School students showcased their creativity through their fashion creations on May 25. (Lineth Murillo)
Industry judges discussed what advice they’d like to give to the student designers; Adriana Beingdea, assistant designer for Cleobella said, “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, that’s how you learn,” Priscilla Garibay, senior swimwear designer for RVCA said, “You have to be confident in the things you make.”
The show also had a virtual design component with animated models projected on the screen modeling virtually rendered clothing.
“This is our first year offering this, it’s where the industry is going, and it is an opportunity to reduce waste and speed up production in the fashion industry,” Bryant said.
There was also a pop-up selling clothing and jewelry, along with raffle prizes and a silent auction where people could place bids.
A camera crew filmed the entire event, and the models were shown on two giant screens so the people on the second floor could see everything happening below.
Students played a major role in producing the show. They conducted photoshoots and created a social media campaign for the event. The fashion promotion class developed the Age of Aquarius theme, inspired by the concepts of destruction and rebirth.
This show also received help from the fashion club, which helped raise funds for the event. They also had support from the athletic department, aquatic center, multi-media services and tons of sponsored donors.
To end the runway portion of the event, all the models came out one final time standing and posing together as the audience erupted in applause.
“For the models, I’d like them to know they did a great job, the show was incredible. And for the designers, the production was amazing and they did an awesome job, they should be proud,” said Toldeo. A digital lookbook will be offered with the final day to place an order being June 5th. https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLGXXAPMB90K2/checkout/HIULZFAJPUYR2SN74IVR7QET?src=webqr
Grammy nominated trumpet player Wayne Bergeron, best known for his work on Disney’s The Incredibles, headlined the Long Beach City College Spring Big Band Bonanza on Friday.
The show was the final on-campus concert of the semester for the big band and also the final performance for many graduating musicians in the band.
Wayne was introduced to the thunderous applause and cheers from the family and friends that filled the courtyard.
“Wayne is also an alum from the school so we’re proud to have him back,” jazz professor Patrick Sheng said.
Bergeron moved to California at age one after being born in Hartford, Connecticut.
“It’s an honor to be back here where I once went to school,” Bergeron said.
The setlist was mostly made up of songs by Bergeron’s personal friend and jazz composer Tom Kubis.
Another song played was a Disney composition honoring Bergeron’s work on multiple Disney animated films such as The Incredibles and Finding Dory.
This was the first year that there were enough people for two big bands, the daytime and nighttime big bands.
“This is something of a passion project of mine and now we’re more of a community band,” Sheng said.
Sheng also played baritone saxophone in the night band among other older and more experienced players.
Bergeron played with both bands and kept the mood up with lighthearted jokes as the night went on that kept the audience laughing.
The show was the final performance of the school year for the jazz program and they are looking to grow and improve their program even more next year.
A school newspaper’s main job is to fairly report on the happenings at the school and that job is impeded when reporters are denied entry or interviews with school staff.
The issue of reporters getting pushback for trying to report on school events has persisted through the spring semester.
A healthy relationship between school and press freedom is important for any college and after many years of a civil relationship with the school paper, Long Beach City College has created a rift between the two sides.
This is a major problem because the future of the newspaper rests largely on its accurate coverage of school events so being denied interviews is a major problem.
Aside from these actions violating the California Education Code, some are even illegal such as denying reporters entry to public events which violates reporters first amendment rights.
The school trying to censor the news output is unusual and raises the question of what LBCC is trying to stop the newspaper from covering.
This would make sense if there was a negative pattern of unfair coverage but there has been little conflict between the college and newspaper up to this point.
In order to support the education and training of student reporters at LBCC, the college needs to be more cooperative with reporters and understand student reporters’ legal rights.
If the college fails to uphold legal rights of their student reporters they risk legal action against LBCC for failing to comply with first amendment protections.
Student Health Services and Student Activities have been two programs that have tried to deny interviews to reporters at events.
Once a reporter even had an issue where a staff member told students at the event they were covering not to talk to the reporter.
These persistent issues put out an image of unwillingness to let students do work for the newspaper and pursue their major which directly hurts the students who are trying to develop their skills.
Students should let the school know they do not approve of this limiting of the journalism program and use the online non-academic complaint forms to let LBCC know that this problem is a serious one and needs to be amended.
Summer may be around the corner but it’s officially in full swing at LBCC after a “Movin & Groovin” summer kickoff hosted by Student Life and ASB.
The event took place on the LAC campus on Tuesday, May 21, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The Summer Kick-Off included live music, fun activities and free food.
Throughout the event, there were different booths students can go to get different types of food and different types of student life opportunities that the school is promoting by spreading information like the basic needs program, C.A.S.A. program and the food bank distribution.
There was also a Viking closet stop and shop where students could take up to six items of clothing.
The Viking Closet Pop-Up Booth at the Summer Kick-Off event. May 21st, 2024, in the A-quad in front of building B. (Darla Perez)
The ASB Booth was promoting a Plan B distribution which the idea came from ASB President Coco Dobard and ASB Student Trustee Emma Manatta.
LBCC is one of the first California colleges to have a Plan B distribution.
“We want to make an effort to make contraceptives more accessible and also make sure that students feel informed and that their choice matters, especially in a post-up world, it’s really important that we continue to uphold a very welcoming safe environment for students,” said Manetta.
LBCC student Amber Taylor who is majoring in music education was enjoying the event while sitting down in the grass with her friends eating the free food.
“My goal after graduating LBCC is to transfer to Cal State Long Beach and get the opportunity to become a piano teacher and a composer. This summer, I’m going to a music camp where I will further my piano skills,” said Taylor.
Student Life and Basic Needs are moving to building B-103 this summer and will be open July 1st through Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The story of former LBCC student turned entrepreneur Marida Ngov, starts with two refugees fleeing the oppressive rule of the Khmer Rouge in a war-torn Cambodia in the 1970s.
Ngov’s mother, Salouen Sak and her future husband Eng Kaing Sok, were stripped of everything by the Khmer Rouge, including their freedom.
For Sak, the one thing that she could latch onto was their jewelry, which would later provide the foundation for a better life.
Pol Pot, a Cambodian communist dictator, was responsible for the genocide of millions of Cambodians from the mid to late 1970s. He served as the leader of the Khmer Rouge, a group dedicated to finding, capturing and killing Cambodians.
Ngov tells the story of her parents’ journey from Cambodia to Long Beach.
Ngov’s parents are survivors of this genocide.
Sok, Ngov’s father, was captured by the Khmer Rouge and endured a series of horrific tests during this time.
These tests consisted of individuals being rounded up to watch babies be thrown up in the air and shot and whoever flinched would be killed on sight.
Sak and Sok shielded their daughter from their experiences. Ngov hadn’t uncovered their past until she was much older.
“I remember growing up I would watch sitcoms about families who would be more open with each other and wonder why my dad was so closed off. I knew he loved us but he wouldn’t express it as much as other people. It wasn’t until my husband had asked him about his experiences in the war and me hearing about it that it surprised me. It made me understand why my dad was like this as he still had PTSD and just wasn’t the best at sharing his feelings at the time,” said Ngov.
Marida Ngov (right) and her mom Saloeun Sak (left) looking at one of the necklaces made by Marida’s father. (Zuri Minor)
Ngov’s parents managed to escape Cambodia around 1979 by treading through forests and hiding on the sides of mountains at night unaware that their paths would soon cross.
With only a necklace in hand, Sak arrived in Long Beach at the age of 15 with little left of her homeland.
She settled in Long Beach’s Cambodia town alongside her parents and sister.
Following their introduction to one another, Sak and Sok were soon married and pondered how to provide for their growing family. The pair put their skills together and set forth on establishing a business.
“If the two of us are really going to build a life here together and be able to survive, we gotta use your other skills to our advantage,” Sak said to her husband..
Sak managed the business while Sok tapped into his skills as a blacksmith.
The two started by melting down Sak’s necklace, her only remaining tie to Cambodia, and transforming it into a series of rings. They sold these pieces within Cambodia town and began running their business from their home.
Marida Ngov (front) looking at her pearl necklace with her mom Saloeun Sak (back). (Zuri Minor)
Soon, lines formed at their door and as the business continued to thrive, Ngov started helping out her parents and learning how to make jewelry herself.
Ngov would start learning how to make pieces with her mother, unaware that these skills would find her later in life when she set out to start her own business.
“My mom and I would visit stores and pick out pieces of jewelry that we liked and then we would use them to make our own pieces. It was a really great bonding experience,” said Ngov.
Soon after, the family business extended to Ngov’s aunt who owned a jewelry store on Anaheim Boulevard in Cambodia Town.
“We used to be together all the time and I would see firsthand how Marida would engage with the customers. She was always willing to help out and give recommendations on what they should get. I could tell Marida would carry this on,” said Bandith Thai, Ngov’s cousin.
Progress was steady with the business for a while until an unexpected illness sent the family reeling.
Ngov’s father was diagnosed with throat cancer.
It took a while for Ngov to understand what was happening to her father, she thought that he was just sick.
“My parents were always trying to shelter me from the more horrific stuff like their time during the war. This was another example of that. I was 16 at the time and didn’t really know what was going on. I just thought he was really sick,” said Ngov.
With Sok dealing with chemotherapy, he couldn’t continue to make jewelry and Sak took the reins, expanding on her skills to ensure their business survived.
Sak learned how to make pearl necklaces. She became one of the first people to sell pearls to the Cambodian community in Long Beach and business soared.
“The pearls saved us financially, I don’t know if we would have survived if they didn’t sell,” said Sak.
Even though things were looking financially better, the idea of them losing a loved one weighed on Sak.
She didn’t want Ngov to go through the same thing and face the uncertainties of owning a jewelry business.
So Ngov was encouraged to pursue a more secure career.
Ngov decided to move to the pharmaceutical field not just because it was well paying but because she could help her father.
After high school, Ngov briefly attended LBCC before transferring to UCLA where she aimed to get a degree in biochemistry, feeling the pressure to succeed for her family.
Ngov even worked at CVS, a hospital and did some lab work for a while. However as time went on, her enthusiasm began to fade.
“I always thought there were expectations for me and felt like there was a lot of pressure on myself. I realized that I put it all in my head, they (my parents) just wanted me to do well,” said Ngov.
Ngov had decided to go back to what she loved as a kid, the jewelry business. What encouraged her to do this was her time at UCLA.
“My roommate made her own jewelry in different ways, such as delivering and mailing it. It really opened my eyes to the different possibilities. When I think back to it, this is what made me want to go into gemology,” said Ngov.
Marida Ngov holding up the spool she used to make her pearl necklace. Her mom used this same spool to make her own pearl necklaces. (Zuri Minor)
Her father was accepting of her choice to go to gemology school but her mother was hesitant at first, for fear of her daughter having to struggle the same way that she did.
“The more I look back on it, I’m just glad that I have gone on this path. Running this business has only made my bond with my parents stronger. At one point early into my career, I remember I was able to see my mother and dad every day for three months straight because they wanted to help,” said Ngov.
She started off making things like necklaces, popping up at boutiques and malls to sell them.
Within a few months, she started getting orders as big as 100,000 pieces.
“It even got to the point where my dad would ask if he could help me with making anything. With the support of my parents like this, it just reassured me that I was making the right decision,” said Ngov.
Ngov even traveled to different places around the world like Canada and Japan where she would wholesale to department stores and boutiques. She also continued to grow the business through her online storefront.
In 2018, she opened up her own brick-and-mortar store in downtown Long Beach.
She built a strong community of customers that came to support her.
“I always felt like the customers were my favorite part of the job. Just getting to interact with them always made it worth it. I try to make my products priced around what people can afford, ” said Ngov.
Marida Ngov (right) and Saloeun Sak (left) posing with various photos they’ve taken over the years. (Zuri Minor)
During her time at her store, Marida met Theresa Kim, a fellow business owner who worked at a thrift shop. The two clicked almost instantly and later decided to start a joint venture at a boutique on Norse Way.
“We’re in here for the long haul and we have a lot of similarities, we work very well together. Just the fact that she prioritizes quality goes hand in hand with what I do,” said Kim.
The two of them operate their businesses Marida Jewelry and Skies for Miles Boutique in the same building located on 4405 East Village Road in Long Beach.
Sak visits her daughter and couldn’t be more proud of what she’s achieved.
“It just makes me so happy seeing how much she’s grown as a business. I used to worry but not any more,” said Sak.
To this day, Ngov’s favorite piece of jewelry is a pearl necklace that she made when she was younger. It was made using the same spool that her mother used when she first started making pearl necklaces.
“It was one of the first pieces I’ve made and I feel like it’s so important because I learned a lot from using that spool.”
Long Beach City College marcó un logro significativo el 22 de abril, fue un momento de orgullo para todos, con la inauguración oficial del Black Student Success Center.
Celebraciones enriquecedoras y discursos pronunciados por profesores y estudiantes honraron la identidad cultural y la importancia del Centro de Éxito de Estudiantes Negro.
“Estamos emocionados de que este proyecto finalmente haya sucedido para nuestros estudiantes. Es un lugar donde la diversidad de nuestros estudiantes será honrada, respetada y valorada,” dijo Vivian Malauulu, presidenta de la Junta Directiva.
El objetivo del centro recién inaugurado es compartir conocimientos, recursos y apoyo para elevar a los estudiantes a un entorno donde se solidifiquen sus objetivos educativos.
Los estudiantes se abrazan junto a Angela Fowlkes (derecha). Ceremonia de inauguración del Black Student Success Center el 22 de abril de 2024. (Alison Doherty)
Uduak-Joe Ntuk, miembro de la junta directiva de LBCC, el primer hombre afroamericano en ocupar este cargo en más de dos décadas, jugó un papel integral en la creación de BSSC.
“Este es un lugar de recursos donde el personal estará presente y los estudiantes podrán realizar reuniones, es donde se llevarán a cabo los paneles Keeping it 100 y una serie de apoyo y conexiones para que los estudiantes garanticen su éxito,” dijo Ntuke.
Además, se examinará constantemente el impacto del racismo, se enfatizará la importancia del colectivo y la interseccionalidad se honrará y respetará.
El evento incluyó actuaciones de bateristas africanos y el canto del himno nacional Negro.
Espectáculo de tambores tradicionales Africanos. Ceremonia de inauguración del Black Student Success Center el 22 de abril de 2024. (Alison Doherty
Joey Smith, vicepresidente del Club Umoja, analiza el significado del Centro de Éxito de Estudiantes Negros para los estudiantes de Umoja, “nos brinda un espacio no solo para responsabilizarnos como estudiantes Negros, sino también para sentirnos vistos y escuchados entre nuestras difficultades, ” dijo Smith.
El Marco de Reconciliación se creó después del trágico asesinato de George Floyd y es una iniciativa para establecer estrategias y servicios claros para enfrentar el racismo sistémico en LBCC y cerrar las diferencia de equidad que enfrentan los estudiantes negros.
“Nuestra meta es ayudar a cada estudiante a lograr sus sueños. Estamos aquí para apoyarlos y proveer educación a estudiantes de Long Beach,” Ntuk dijo.
Con una donación de $30 millones de parte de la fundación Mackenzie Scott, la donación más grande en la historia de la escuela, LBCC va a continuar priorizando prácticas conscientes de raza y equidad para establecer una comunidad inclusiva.
Ceremonia de inauguración del Black Student Success Center el 22 de abril de 2024
El superintendente presidente Mike Munoz y Uduak-Joe Ntuk cortando el listón del BSSC. (Alison Doherty)
Superintendente Presidente Mike Muñoz, habla sobre la fuerza impulsora por abrir el Centro de Éxito de Estudiantes Negro.
“Hemos estado en un viaje para asegurar que todos estudiantes sienten que importan y pertenecen. A medida que participamos en diferentes encuestas sobre el clima estudiantil, nos dimos cuenta de que nuestros estudiantes negros han informado niveles más bajos de sentirse que importan en LBCC. Sentimos que era importante pensar en una estrategia que ayudará a incrementar el sentido de materia y pertenencia, así la creación,” dijo Muños.
Dula’s souls food kitchen provee comida gratis, y regalos emocionantes tomaron lugar después de la ceremonia
“Gracias a todos quienes jugaron un papel en esto. De parte de la junta directiva aplaudimos su esfuerzo y anímate a continuar,” Malauulu dijo.
Correction: this story has been changed to correct a misattributed quote.
A few professors are raising concerns over difficulties they have faced in trying to use one of their three contractual days off to miss graduation.
According to Vice President of Academic Affairs Lee Douglas a handful of professors requested to have graduation day off, but he could not state the number of requests he processed off the top of his head.
Previous contracts did not have any language that stipulated how professors could use their days off, but a new agreement negotiated in part by Superintendent-President Mike Munoz requires a new approval process in order to take the day off for graduation.
Munoz confirmed that the new regulations around discretionary days and graduation were requested by him.
“Our campus community should be here to support each other,” Munoz said.
The new agreement requires that professors seek approval from the vice president of their department to use a discretionary day specifically on graduation, a move that has complicated what was once a straightforward process.
Under the contract, each full-time professor is allotted three discretionary days per calendar year, which they could use how they see fit.
This flexibility allowed professors to take time off for personal reasons, professional development or other needs with administrative oversight only by their dean.
However, the updated contract stipulates that full-time faculty members now need to obtain approval from the vice president specifically if they want to use a discretionary day for graduation.
The issue began when professors began to ask questions about the language used in the new contract.
Professor Karyn Daniels expressed her concern over email, stating “It seems suspicious that it is the only day that requires VP approval, as if they may not approve it,” at which point she received a reply by Jeff Sabol– a member of the full time faculty union’s executive board– stating “I would caution about spreading misinformation,” about the conditions of this new approval process.
When asked about the lack of clarity between the contract and confusion english professor J-Son Ong, member of the faculty bargaining committe said, “It was clear in the contract, you have to ask (professors) where the confusion comes from.”
This change has not only introduced an additional layer of bureaucracy but has also led to several denials, leaving some professors unable to take their desired time off on a paid working day.
Part-time professors are not required to attend graduation, so the new policy primarily affects full-time faculty. The requirement for vice president approval is seen by many as a restrictive measure that undermines their autonomy and disrupts established routines.
Nick Carbonaro, a full-time professor of Business Administration expressed his concerns over the new requirements.
“I really blame the union and how the contract was negotiated a year ago, it was clear that the wording regarding using discretionary days for graduation was confusing,” Carbonaro said.
When asked about receiving a denied request for graduation Carbonaro said, “I put in my request to use a discretionary day for graduation, I was denied. My son has a water polo tournament and I manage socials, getting deck passes and collecting information on the players. I have to be there.”
The LBCC Faculty Association acknowledged the confusion and frustration among its members. LBCCFA Vice President Vanessa Crispin-Peralta addressed the concerns that standards were not clear after the contract was ratified.
“The standards were not clear, the expectation that prior approval would be required was clear but it was not yet clear who would be allowed to use them and who would not,” Crispin-Peralta said.
Vice President of Academic Affairs Lee Douglas, alongside Student Affair Vice President Nohel Correl, has been responsible for approving and denying professors’ discretionary days.
Douglas explained that he has denied requests from professors for a variety of reasons, but has tried to encourage those who did not get approved to seek out other types of leave such as using a sick day in order to get the day off.
As these discussions continue, full-time professors are left navigating the new approval process, hoping for a resolution that restores some of their former autonomy and ensures fair treatment across the board.
“That this level of approval is in place is unfortunate and something we are looking into,” LBCCFA President Suzanne Englehardt said.
Englehardt explained that she could see where the confusion lay, but the language in the contract was clear from the beginning.
For now, discretionary day policy remains a continuous issue, reflecting broader debates about administrative control and faculty rights within educational institutions.
On Harvey Milk Day 2024, Long Beach City College raised the pride flag at both the Liberal Arts Campus and the Pacific Coast Campus in celebration of Harvey Milk and the upcoming pride month.
Harvey Milk was the first openly gay politician who was elected into public office in 1977 in San Francisco, California.
Milk’s victory paved the way for more recognition and love for the LGBTQ+ community as well as other minority communities in the country.
LBCC recognized Milk and showed massive love and support for the LGBTQ+ community as Superintendent-President Mike Munoz, Vice President Virginia Baxter and student activities advisor Kim Hamon raised the flag on the pole next to the T Building of the Liberal Arts Campus.
Before the raising of the flag, all three of them spoke on the stage, showing their support for the LGBTQ+ community, and summarized how the college is a safe place for all students regardless of their sexual identity.
“This is symbolic for me because we know that he led the fight against the Briggs Act, which was a proposed piece of state law that, if passed, I wouldn’t be able to serve as a public employee in a school,” LBCC Superintendent-President Mike Munoz said, regarding him being in the LGBTQ+ community.
The city of Long Beach is continuously prepping and even pre-celebrating pride with the upcoming pride month.
The Long Beach pride parade took place this past weekend, and LBCC added to the fun and support by raising the pride flag at its campuses.
While people may disagree with LGBTQ+-related topics and the different celebration events taking place, Long Beach is known for being a diverse city showing love to all communities.
With Harvey Milk Day being a national day in California, other cities and counties are also participating in activities that show support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Cities such as his political town of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Costa Mesa, Sacramento, etc., are all holding pride parades and events, and this wouldn’t have been possible without Harvey Milk being a key figure in California.
Milk was one of the main driving forces for the gay rights movement; being born in Woodmere, New York, his influence was present not only in California but all around the country.
“When he was alive, he was an incredible person and very dynamic. He was not from California, he was from the East Coast. He came to California and really made a difference and became a lawmaker on how gay and lesbian people are treated. So this is an honor to raise the flag on his special day,” Baxter said.
Amidst adversity, a Long Beach City College student stands as a testament to perseverance, transforming her personal battles into a narrative filled with drive and dedication for change.
April Brown, president of LBCC Umoja club made an indelible mark as she was honored with California Community Colleges 2024 Student Leadership Award.
The award bestowed upon Brown highlights her commitment to her campus community and the impactful moments that motivated her to get here.
Throughout her childhood, Brown faced numerous challenges having dealt with bullying, home struggles and various signs of mental illness.
She fought to find a balance between her home troubles and being present both, mentally and academically.
“I felt like I was a burden to the world, I felt like I didn’t matter and I was useless,” Brown said.
During her freshman year of high school, Brown reached out to the national suicide hotline and sought help.
At 15 years old, Brown was diagnosed with severe depression, anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after being hospitalized from battling with suicidal tendencies.
“I felt validated, like, I was given a partial answer to why I feel like this and what it’s called,” said Brown regarding her feelings about her diagnosis.
Within the year, and with the encouragement of her family, Brown worked towards her betterment and became more involved with school activities, improving in her academics and graduating with a high grade point average.
April Brown dressed in her graduation outfit and throwing cap in the air. (Zuri Minor)
After high school, Brown was accepted into Howard University where she attempted to start over.
It was then that Brown found herself derailed once again after becoming a victim of sexual harassment at the university only weeks after the beginning of her journey with them.
During Brown’s time at Howard, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in the fall of October 2021, protests centered around poor student housing conditions erupted at the university and interfered with student life on campus.
Many students like Brown who resided in student housing were impacted by the protests and ultimately faced food scarcity due to the lack of access to the campus foods and resources during the time.
“Everyday felt like it was a surprise and not in a good way. It was just such a struggle trying to gain access to the resources and information I needed to succeed as a student at Howard especially as a freshmen,” Brown said.
The complacency of the university in their approach to handling the matter and the overall handling of student affairs left Brown unsettled.
“I was continuously around negative energy and feeling like I just don’t belong here, I don’t fit in, and that I am not fitting the stereotype or I am not doing this or that, so I called my dad and asked him to pick me up,” Brown said.
This would be an event that would impact the rest of her academic career.
Brown decided to move back home and attend LBCC where she ultimately became Umoja Club president and had the opportunity to work for the school’s welcome center, where she met the mentors she has today.
In her short time at LBCC, Brown managed to raise over $17,000 for the Umoja club, making that the most funding a club that focuses on equity and inclusion has raised at the LBCC campus.
Her experience at LBCC is what Brown references when she speaks on her current triumphs and the successes that got her to win the 2024 California Community College’s Annual Student Leadership Award for raising the club funds and her overall involvement on campus.
Advocating for people and voicing out student needs has always been a big part of what motivates Brown to do what she does.
April Brown posing in front of a wall listing the names of prominent people in the black community. (Zuri Minor)
With some of the money raised for the Umoja program, Brown and other Umoja club members were able to visit various universities including Howard years after Brown’s departure, providing Brown with a deeper insight and a new perspective on her overall experience at the university.
“There’s a lot of stuff I didn’t know going in as a freshman in college. I learned why my experience was bad, and I learned why these private historically black colleges and universities are like this,” said Brown, “With that education, it bloomed me towards why I now not only educate but advocate for my peers about the reality of some of the schools that they are interested in now. Never to turn them away but to show them the reality of it and what it entails to help prepare them.”
Brown used her experiences as learning tools to better assess not only her future needs but the needs of any transferring students she comes across.
“If it wasn’t for these core moments I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Brown said.
Brown expresses gratitude and credits her motivation for being the student leader she is to numerous LBCC staff such as her supervisor at the Welcome Center, Kemberly Quiroz, Dean of Student Equity, Sonia De La Torre, Umoja Club Director, Chrishaad Moye, and Black Student Success coordinator Angela Fowlkes along with her friends and family.
“She’s always been very ambitious, motivated and confident. I have watched her grow into this developing leader that is just always supportive and encouraging towards others,” Angela Fowlkes said.
“I am all about student advocacy and trying to represent and be there for students because I didn’t feel like I got that growing up as a bullied child. I did the hard work but it takes someone to hear it. It takes a village. LBCC will always be my village,” Brown said.
Brown is going to CSULB next year where she will transfer to pursue her bachelor’s of science in business management.
However, Brown says she will make it a point to continue to stay involved with LBCC’s Umoja program during her time at the university.
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