On June 14, as part of the second biennial
CSU Juneteenth Symposium, the California State University announced the six recipients for its first-ever Black Student Success Scholarship, sponsored by the
CSU Foundation.
The scholarship awardees were selected for demonstrating leadership in increasing equitable access to higher education and undertaking community service that promotes antiracism work and culture change to elevate Black excellence. Each scholar will receive a $5,000 award for the 2024-25 academic year.
“These scholars represent the highest ideals and brightest future of our university system and embody our commitment to creating a culture and community throughout the CSU where all students, faculty and staff have equitable representation, holistic support and an authentic sense of belonging," said CSU Chancellor Mildred García.
The CSU Foundation-sponsored scholarships were funded by support from CSU vendors who agreed to make philanthropic contributions, along with an anonymous donation from a former CSU employee.
“These six students have not only excelled academically but have also made significant contributions to supporting Black student success and the Black community," said Aaron Moore, executive director for Advancement at the CSU Chancellor's Office. “Their dedication and achievements are inspiring and empowering and we are proud to honor each of them."
Meet the CSU's inaugural Black Student Success Scholarship recipients.
Armand Jovaughn Egere | CSU Dominguez Hills
Arman Jovaughn Egere has been a passionate advocate for the Black community, dedicated to creating inclusive and comfortable spaces for marginalized groups. His artistic vision has centered on breaking racial norms and promoting a non-monolithic experience in art. Financial challenges and the pandemic initially delayed his graduation, but he used the isolation to teach himself digital art, saving money from commissions to invest in an iPad. This investment paid off, allowing him to enhance his skills and assume leadership roles at CSU Dominguez Hills. His resilience and adaptability have been evident in his accomplishments post-pandemic, including his role as a community liaison at CSUDH's Latinx Cultural Resource Center and in joining Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the first intercollegiate fraternity founded by African American men.
Egere also led a program titled A Voteless People is a Hopeless People, where he focused on voter registration, education and election awareness in the Black community. He stressed the importance of ballot propositions and explained to students how they are applicable in everyday life. Once he graduates, Egere plans to open an art studio to support up-and-coming artists with a social message.
Asad (AJ) Franklin | Sonoma State
Asad Franklin, known as AJ, is a sophomore philosophy major with concentrations in pre-law and applied ethics. Growing up in an environment steeped in activism, with both parents deeply involved in social justice work, he absorbed the importance of advocating for marginalized communities from a young age. Diagnosed with leukemia in fourth grade, Franklin learned early on what it would take to face and push forward through seemingly insurmountable challenges. His parents, who are both photographers, instilled in him a deep appreciation for storytelling and a commitment to amplifying voices that are often overlooked. His mother, who was accepted to UC Berkeley at the age of 50, taught him that knowledge is power and ensured that he was raised amidst the vibrant narratives of Black history.
Franklin says that he aims to cultivate spaces of empowerment and belonging, inspired by the strength and unity of the Black community, and drawing upon the transformative power of representation. Despite facing intersecting identities and systemic barriers, oftentimes stemming from being a multicultural, Black-presenting, queer individual who is neurodivergent, he has remained steadfast in his commitment to advocacy and inclusivity.
Tajuddin Henry | San Diego State
Tajuddin Henry is a third-year public health and African American Studies major at San Diego State. He aspires to eliminate the socioeconomic factors that debilitate and hamper Black people's access to resources that are commonly and readily available to others, as well as to abolish systems that are inherently biased and prejudiced towards or profit off the suffering of the African American community. His motivations stem from a passion borne from his parents' work in the field of public health and have continuously been reinforced by negative experiences at primarily white academic institutions. Henry grew up wanting to be a plastic surgeon to graft skin on burn victims—but the African American Studies classes and books he read in his time at SDSU gave him the knowledge and strategies to give direction to his political ideals.
In his role as a researcher at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, he delved into the stark realities of medical mistrust and health disparities affecting underserved communities. Joining the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity led his work to strengthen the San Diego Black community, integrating fraternity leadership into his broader activism and community engagement efforts. Through these experiences, he has seen firsthand the critical impact of advocacy and direct community engagement in driving societal change. Each role has not only deepened his commitment to serving the Black community but also shaped his approach to political activism, focusing on systemic change to dismantle barriers and create a more equitable society. His aspiration is to bridge the gap between public health and racial justice, creating sustainable, community-focused solutions that address the root causes of inequality.
Chloe Thomas | Cal State Long Beach
Chloe Thomas is a third-year marketing major at Cal State Long Beach. Since high school, her motivation for engaging with Black organizations has been to build community. While growing up, she had searched for those who resembled herself and looked to fit in, with the goal of finding a group of people to count on and who would be a source of support and encouragement. This led her to found her high school's Black Culture Club.
Transitioning to college, her role as a community builder shifted when she was no longer required to create spaces of community. Rather, she has been a guide, helping others to discover the communities where they could belong. She is involved with programs at CSULB including the Black Student Union, the Black Resource Center and the Black Scholars Program. She makes it her focus to be a connection point for Black students on campus, hoping that by dedicating herself to the connection of others, she will help the Black community thrive. After attaining her degree, Thomas aims to build a career in entertainment marketing, carrying her passion to build community in everything she does.
Olympia Joy Pereira | San Francisco State
After graduating with an associate degree in Ethnic Studies, Olympia Joy Pereira transferred to San Francisco State as an Africana Studies major. She says that her motivations and goals are to be a part of Black advancement and excellence, to advocate for her brothers and sisters and to hold as many doors open as her arms will allow. Young parenthood and a naturally generous heart have pushed her to exercise advocacy for herself and others. Pereira's background has allowed her to connect deeply with people from various life journeys, and her community service work has reinforced the values her grandmother gave her to love without judgment.
These experiences have shaped her driving passion for uplifting and empowering the Black community. During community service in East Oakland last summer, Pereira came across someone who was looking to go back to school. This immediately sparked a conversation about her own college. After further discussion, they exchanged contacts, and Pereira later helped the woman enroll in classes for the upcoming semester. This encounter came full circle when that returning student brought her daughter with her to the student services offices, and Pereira connected her with a program in which she was able to receive college credits as a middle school student. This incident is just one of many meaningful connections that grew out of Pereira's community service. Her passion to serve Black students and the greater community has shown up in her work on SF State's Black Success Committee. After graduating in 2025, she plans to continue her work toward an entrepreneurial venture of creating a cultural awareness program.
Aliyshah Shamburger | Cal State San Bernardino
Aliyshah Shamburger is beginning her fourth out of five nursing school semesters at Cal State San Bernardino. Her personal experiences and clinical rotations have motivated and pushed her to further her studies in the health care field. She has said that she believes people in her care should feel heard and know that she is paying attention. Her experience in nursing school has increased her awareness of the inequalities that people of color face, particularly regarding access to quality health care and effective patient care. As an African American woman, she wants to be a part of a shift that ensures that everyone is advocated for and cared for appropriately. The high mortality and morbidity rates for women of color contribute significantly to her interest in working in the labor and delivery department.
Shamburger says she believes it is a great privilege to be a nurse. With just one more year of nursing school to go, she will soon be able to enter someone's life at a difficult time and change their circumstances for the better.
The CSU's Black Student Success Scholarship is part of the university's larger efforts to advance Black student success and elevate Black excellence across the state. Learn more about this work.