Page Content ‘Still I Rise’: 29 Stories of Excellence & Achievement The accomplishments of African American students, faculty, alumni and staff of the CSU are too numerous to mention, let alone do justice. Still, on the occasion of Black History Month, we pause to acknowledge 29 exceptional people who have helped to make the California State University what it is today: a place of academic rigor, exceptional achievement and pioneering inclusiveness. Meet the 29 Next slide to meet the 29 Dr. Ramona Tascoe Alumna, San Francisco State & Activist For a lifetime of demanding change and justice Marvin Reed Alumnus, Sacramento State & Teacher, Berkeley Unified School District For becoming the teacher he needed as a young student Dr. Vincent Matthews Alumnus, San Francisco State & Superintendent, San Francisco Unified School District For tireless work in narrowing the achievement gap and raising students’ academic performance Thomas Johnson III Alumnus, CSUN & Teacher, Larchmont Charter School For instilling in his students a joy for math and science Dr. Yvonne Cagle Alumna, San Francisco State & NASA Management Astronaut For helping to blaze a trail for African American women in space Gabriel Smith Alumnus, Cal Poly Pomona & Political Associate, California Democratic Party For working to give more Californians access to education and health care Alicia Garza Alumna, San Francisco State & Co-Founder, Black Lives Matter For living the credo that “none of us are free until all of us are free” Demontea Thompson Alumnus, CSUN, Resident Director, Cal State LA & Co-Founder, Twinspire For working toward a world in which all underrepresented young adults succeed Dr. Herbert L. Carter Trustee Emeritus, California State University For serving as the CSU’s first systemwide director of affirmative action Dr. Joseph White Alumnus, San Francisco State, Founder, Educational Opportunity Program & Former Professor, Cal State Long Beach For opening the door to higher education to thousands of California students Josh Kelly Student, Cal State Fullerton & Member, Male Success Initiative For paying it forward to other young male students of color Caitlin Dickerson Alumna, Cal State Long Beach & National Immigration Reporter, The New York Times For continuing to break news about one of the defining topics of our times Jonathan Henderson Alumnus & Staff, CSU Dominguez Hills & Regional Coordinator, Umoja Community Education Foundation For working to make African American student success a priority in higher education Dr. Claudia Hampton Trustee Emerita, California State University For serving as the first African American trustee of the California State University Phillip Boutté Jr. Alumnus, Cal State Long Beach & Concept Costume Artist For costumes that transport moviegoers into new worlds Dr. Blenda Wilson President Emerita, CSUN For being the first African American woman to lead a U.S. campus with 25,000 or more students Elliott Powell Alumnus, CSU San Marcos & First African American Director of the White House Situation Room For dedicating his second act to educating middle-schoolers Judy Belk Alumna, Cal State East Bay & President & CEO, The California Wellness Foundation For a career devoted to improving the health of the traditionally underserved Honorable Willie Brown Alumnus, San Francisco State & Former Mayor, City and County of San Francisco & Former Speaker, California State Assembly For serving as the first African American mayor of San Francisco & first African American Speaker of the California State Assembly Sandra Jackson-Dumont Alumna, Sonoma State & Director & CEO, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art For making museums more relevant and inspiring Raynor Carroll Alumnus, Cal State LA, & Former Co-Principal Percussionist/Timpanist, Los Angeles Philharmonic For decades of making beautiful music Violet Palmer Alumna, Cal Poly Pomona & Former NBA Referee For leading the way for female referees in the NBA Ryan Coogler Alumnus, Sacramento State & Filmmaker of “Black Panther” and “Fruitvale Station” For storytelling that’s reshaping how we see the world Dr. Marvalene Hughes President Emerita, Stanislaus State For becoming the first female and first African American president of Stanislaus State Victor Glover Alumnus, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo & NASA Astronaut For dreaming of the stars, and working hard to get there Dr. Krishna Foster Faculty, Cal State LA For making science accessible to more students and students of color Dr. Soraya Coley President, Cal Poly Pomona For always believing she could Dr. Harry Edwards Alumnus, San José State & Professor, Author & Activist For an unparalleled legacy of courageous activism in sport and well beyond Dr. Rashida Crutchfield Faculty, Cal State Long Beach For quantifying at last the problems of housing and food insecurity for college students MORE STORIES OF EXCELLENCE & ACHIEVEMENT We asked, and you responded—in a big way! As part of the CSU’s celebration of Black History Month, we highlighted 29 exceptional pioneers. Here’s a sampling of the additional alumni, faculty and staff our readers recommended. Thank you to everyone who submitted. READ MORE STORIES Share a Story Do you know a CSU student, alumni, faculty or staff member you think should be recognized during Black History Month? We’d love to hear from you! Your Email* Their Name* Why They’re Remarkable* Submit Check back throughout the month to meet more exceptional African Americans of the CSU. Want to Learn More? Please contact: Public Affairs Department (562) 951-4800 Yes