RCC Hosts Umoja Day for Alvord Unified High School Juniors and Seniors
The Riverside City College (RCC) welcomed African-American high school juniors and seniors from the Alvord Unified School District to campus for Umoja Day, a celebration of community, culture and educational opportunity.
More than 85 high school juniors and seniors from Alvord Unified participated in Umoja Day, engaging with Riverside Community College District (RCCD) leaders, faculty, classified professionals and managers throughout the college and district. Representatives from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office were also in attendance, underscoring the statewide commitment to supporting Black student success. The presence of faculty and staff alongside District leadership highlighted RCC’s and RCCD’s collaborative effort to ensure students feel welcomed, supported and prepared to pursue higher education.
ASRCC President Myisha Jackson, Vice President of Planning and Development Kristi Woods, BFSA President Malika Bratton, and current Umoja Student.
The event opened with a welcome from Kristi Woods, Ph.D., vice president of Planning and Development: “Today is about more than just visiting RCC—it is about seeing yourselves here, knowing that you belong and recognizing that your future is within reach. Our commitment is to ensure that every African-American student has the support, the resources and the community they need to thrive.”
Herbert English, Dean of Counseling and Specially Funded Programs, inspired students to embrace the day as the beginning of their higher education journey. He reminded them, “Today represents new possibilities and the opening of doors. College is not only within your reach, it belongs to you, and you have every right to be here. We are here to guide and support you at every step along the way.
Students also heard from Myisha Jackson, president of the Associated Students of Riverside City College (ASRCC), who reminded them of the perseverance and resilience needed to succeed: “The hours are long, but all of you have the strength and resilience—and you have the opportunities to build community.”
Throughout the day, students were inspired by powerful messages from leaders across the college and district. FeRita Carter, Ph.D., vice president of Student Services, emphasized the lasting value of education: “Once you have an education, it cannot be taken away from you—it will not blow away in a storm, it will not burn up in this California heat, and you can’t lose it in a poker game. It is yours for a lifetime.”
Adding to the theme of perseverance, Malika Bratton, Black faculty and staff association, president, spoke about the importance of mentorship: “I had mentors that surrounded me here at RCC. Find somebody that you gravitate towards to support you—to thrive, not just survive.”
The day’s theme, “Building Bridges,” was highlighted at lunchtime when Adrienne Grayson, Ed.D., associate dean of Educational Partnerships; Corey Timberlake, Ph.D., assistant professor; and Monique Greene, Ed.D., associate professor, alongside Alvord Unified’s Errol Garnett, promoted RCCD’s dual enrollment opportunities. They encouraged students to take advantage of these programs to begin earning college credit early and get ahead in their academic journey.
Engaging teaching demonstrations led by RCC faculty Malcolm Frierson, Ph.D., Laneshia Judon, J.D., and LaShonda Carter, Ph.D., showcased both representation and passion, giving students a preview of what they can expect in the classroom. The sessions introduced students to African American History, Paralegal Studies, and Ethnic Studies, highlighting the diverse academic pathways available and inspiring them to pursue new areas of study.
Interim President Bishop with Alvord Unified Student.
Interim President, Eric Bishop, Ed.D., spoke on the importance of Black student success and the value of creating inclusive educational spaces. He reminded seniors that they belong at RCC and that we are committed to ensuring “there is space for you here, and a community that will celebrate your success.”
Shawna BuShell, Ed.D., concluded the lunch hour with an empowering speech, sharing how RCCD’s courses are intentionally designed to support and uplift African-American students: “These classes are created for African-American students by African-American faculty and classified professionals.” Her message reinforced the importance of representation, ownership and culturally responsive education.
Umoja Day was created as a dedicated space to support African-American student success and encourage educational advancement. By connecting high school seniors with college leaders, mentors and resources, the event emphasized the importance of community, representation and opportunity. Designed to inspire confidence and ambition, Umoja Day highlighted the pathways available through RCC and reinforced the message that higher education is not only attainable but an essential step in building a strong future.
Umoja Day not only celebrated the achievements of Alvord Unified’s African-American seniors and juniors but also connected them to mentors, resources and pathways at RCC. By showcasing opportunities like dual enrollment and building bridges of support, the event underscored RCCD’s commitment to empowering African-American students to thrive in higher education and beyond.
After the event concluded Corey Timberlake, Ph.D., associate professor stated, “We carry the assignment to build, uplift, and guide the next generation so they may walk with confidence into the future our ancestors dreamed and fought for them to have. Together, we are not only shaping lives we are continuing the sacred work our people began long before us. Our role is not simply to show up, it is to remember that we must show up, because If not us then who?”.