Westside Story Newspaper – Online The News of The Empire – Sharing the Quest for Excellence
SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Thursday, January 21, the Inland Empire Alliance of Black School Educators (IEABSE) hosted a “Meet & Greet” to introduce the Inland Empire community to some influential leaders in education. IEABSE invited in the Inland Empire community to meet five prominent African American Male Administrators you may or may not have known existed.
San Bernardino City Unified School District Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Kennon Mitchell, Ph.D., Chaffey College Vice President of Student Services, Dr. Eric Bishop Ed.D., Moreno Valley City College Vice President of Student Services, Dr. Dyrell Foster, Ed.D., San Bernardino Valley College Vice President of Student Services, Dr. Ricky Shabazz, Ed.D., and California State University San Bernardino Vice President of Student Services, Dr. Bryan Hanes, Ed.D all came together to discuss “What it means to be an African American Male in Education, What is being done to support Student Equity, and what can be done to support them in closing the Achievement Gap.” 
The event located at Azusa Pacific University San Bernardino Campus was attended by over 75 school or college educators and community members. All were greeted by the low hum of instrumental hip hop, the smell of fresh baked “Grand Daddy” macaroni and cheese, Guest Panel and thoughtful conversations surrounding Black Student Achievement. Meriel Anderson-McDade of Riverside Community College remarked, “The energy in here gave me goose bumps, it’s not often we can ask questions of those in such high positions, let alone mingle with so many other educators and parents that are both passionate and positive about helping our youth.”
Keynasia Buffong and Alise Clouser of IEABSE said, “We wanted our communities to know that there are Black male educators in high positions, they are not unicorns, they do exist… we want to show our support while keeping them accountable.” The next IEABSE meeting is scheduled for April. At that meeting influential Black female educators and information regarding the 6th Annual IEABSE High School Black Graduate Recognition & Scholarship Ceremony” will be presented.
IEABSE annually hosts the largest High School Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony in Southern California. The “IE HS Black Grad” will be held this year on May 14th at 2pm on the CSU San Bernardino campus. For more information please contact IEABSE directly at ieabse@gmail.com.
