In recognition of Black History Month, the Hub Cultural Center and the Sonoma State Black Student Union (BSU) has curated a series of programs and events throughout the month of February – including honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the BSU and VIBES block party, and in-depth discussions rooted in the Black experience at Sonoma State. For a complete list of events, visit the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion website. To get involved with the SSU BSU throughout the academic year, students can visit their Instagram channel or email bsu@sonoma.edu.
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), within the Office of the President, includes the HUB Cultural Center and the Affinity Faculty and Staff Association (AFSA). The DEI Office exists to develop and implement the necessary actions to make our campus community one that is truly equitable, inclusive, and just. These actions include programmatic and structural initiatives, as guided by a collective vision we call Achieving Beloved Community.
For a deeper dive into Black History Month, Kaili Spooner, SSU volleyball player, communications major and co-president of the SSU Black Student Union, organically reached out to the black campus community to find out what Black History Month and the Sonoma State experience means to them. Below are some insights folks shared with Kaili, including observations of her own.
If you would like to contribute to the conversation, follow #SSUBSU23 to comment on social media or reach out to us directly. We’ll be updating contributions from the campus community on this page throughout Black History Month.
Dr. Gerald L. Jones
Name/Position at SSU/Hometown/Alma Mater/Pronouns?
Dr. Gerald L. Jones, Vice President for Student Affairs, Vallejo, CA, Sonoma State University (BA in English Literature, Afro-American Studies), He/Him/His
What does Black History Month mean to you and how do you celebrate it?
Black History Month means Black Joy to me! And I celebrate it by learning new and interesting things about my people.
Who is the most influential and inspiring Black hero in your life, and why?
Michael Jordan because of his dedication and discipline to becoming the very best player that he could. From him, I applied the same discipline and tenacity into the academic arena, pushing myself to stay focused and excel.
As a Black staff member, what made you you choose Sonoma State University?
As a transfer student, I was looking for a college setting similar to Napa Valley College, and Sonoma State fit the bill - beautiful campus, small class sizes, and wonderful community.
What goals/progress would you like to help/see the campus community achieve while you’re a student here at SSU?
Continue making progress towards increasing overall enrollment, including targeted efforts for Black students. I really do believe that Sonoma State is an absolute gem and would love for more students to experience all that we have to offer.
What has been your experience working at Sonoma State?
It has truly been phenomenal! I couldn’t have dreamed going from student to Vice President! There is nothing better than being able to work daily with staff committed to helping create a better learning experience while connecting students to campus resources that promote their sense of belonging.
If you could curate a Black History Month playlist of Five Songs that inspired your life’s journey what would they be and why?
Anita Baker's Giving You the Best That I Got, McFadden & Whitehead's Ain't No Stopping Us Now, Luther Vandross's A House is Not a Home, and anything by India Arie!
If you could curate a Black History Month list of Five Books or Movies that have inspired your life’s journey, what would they be and why?
Nathan McCall’s Makes Me Wanna Holler, Brent Staples’ Parallel Time, and Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s Colored People. Despite these Black men growing up in different parts of the country, they shared many of the same experiences, fears, challenges, obstacles, etc. that I faced growing up. Together, they were able to articulate what I couldn’t as a young Black man. And together, I found “permission” to start living!
What advice would you give to Black students attending a PWI, specifically SSU?
You BELONG here just as any other student so make this year home and rock out!!!!
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Jerlena Griffin-Desta, Ph.D.
Name/Position at SSU/Hometown/Alma Mater/Pronouns?
Jerlena Griffin-Desta, Ph.D., Chief of Staff & Vice President Strategic Initiatives & Diversity (since 2018). Born in Florida, raised in coastal Georgia. Over 30 years living in California (LA, Bay Area). Now live in Rohnert Park. B.A. Mercer University, Macon GA. M.S., Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley. Pronouns: She, Her.
As a Black faculty/staff member, what made you choose Sonoma State University?
The opportunity to continue serving students in higher education as an administrator at a CSU was intriguing. After nearly 30 years at the University of California (UCLA, Berkeley, ane Office of the President), and a year-long residential fellowship at The University of Washington, I wanted my next career move to be in a position where I would have the support (and authority) to address systemic changes related to dismantling inequities. SSU is a gem of a place. It is small, picturesque, with stellar faculty and an engaged student body. Black students have and can continue to excel here, though the experience can be daunting and unsatisfying, partially due to the small number of black students on campus.
What advice would you give to Black students attending a predominantly white institution, specifically SSU?
I want Black students to never shy away from who you are at the core, being in touch with how your culture helps shape who you are becoming, knowing that your "Blackness" is not the only identity that you hold dear, and that you have every right to seek to be fully human.. We are a beautiful, complex people who know struggle, know pain, know suffering, but we also know how to produce joy, beauty, and magic! I want Black students to feel free to be and to claim this space, SSU, as their own, and I want them to love themselves - fiercely!
If you could curate a Black History Month playlist of Five Songs that inspired your life’s journey what would they be and why?
1. Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding: The song lyrics are my exact story, "Left my Home in Georgia, headed for the Frisco Bay." I first visited San Francisco in high school. Knew immediately that I wanted to live in a more pluralistic society. I fell in love with Northern California!
2. To Be Young, Gifted, and Black by Nina Simone: This is my go-to song when I think about our ancestors' journey, and realize that they left a legacy in me of being young and gifted, and with that comes the responsibility to use my skills and talents toward the uplifting of my community. Being Black is a Blessing - Unequivocally!
3. Wake Up Everybody by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes: This song is both haunting and a call to action. It is a song that is still fitting, especially with the current generation. "The world won't get no better if we just let it be...." Indeed!
4. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) by Marvin Gaye: Anti-Blackness, Unjustified police killings, Asian Hate, Anti-Immigrant sentiments, Misogyny - "Makes Me Wanna Holler, the Way they Do My Life." Marvin Gaye first said it in 1974.
5. I'm Every Woman by Chaka Khan: When I need to boost confidence in myself, when I need a dose of Black Joy, when I need to dance!
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Olivia Blades
What does Black History Month mean to you and how do you celebrate it?
What Black History Month means to me is acknowledging ALL the history my people made way back in the past and the history we (people in my generation) are making too. I think we often forget sometimes that in this day in age we’re making history. But besides that how I celebrate is I would annually go to the Black Joy Parades that happens every year on Black History Month in Oakland & support ALL the Black Businesses. Or simply text every Black person I know and love, and reassure them.
Who is an influential and inspiring Black hero in your life, and why?
Someone I consider an influential hero is Bell Hooks. Ever since my sister finally convinced me to read her "All About Love" series it changed my life. Especially how she gave her all and died, never experiencing the love she so truly desired. I loved her ‘All About Love’ series because it gives me comfort as not only a woman, but more specifically as a Black Woman. With the pain & frustration I felt about love, she gave me solace that I too will experience the love she so truly wanted. And also if I were an author I’d want to be like her, writing about love for Black people.
If you could curate a Black History Month playlist of Five Songs that inspired your life’s journey what would they be and why?
If I could curate a playlist that in a way reminds me of my Blackness is “Almeda” By Solange; “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé , “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar, “Bigger” by Beyoncé, “Power” by Beyoncé and lastly “Black Parade” by Beyoncé. All these songs inspire my life journey because I feel like they all expressed what I was feeling and how I felt about my Blackness. Especially “Almeda” by Solange & “Bigger” by Beyoncé they both remind me that A.) Blackness is elegant & B.) that we are a part of something way bigger than we can imagine.
Follow Olivia Blades on Instagram: @aunty.livvy
Kaili Spooner
What does Black History Month mean to you and how do you celebrate it?
Black History Month means celebrating everybody Black! While we should be learning about the history no matter the month, BHM is a great time to educate ourselves on Black history and Black excellence and commemorate those that have led, fought, broken barriers, and had any impact on getting us to where we are today in the Black community. I celebrate by being vocal, constantly learning something new, and making changes within my community.
How has SSU empowered you to explore your unique gifts and talents?
SSU has given me the opportunity to explore my gifts and talents by not only furthering my volleyball career at the collegiate level but by also stepping into roles of leadership where I can help make a difference. I have the privilege of serving as the Black Student Union Co-President, working with SSU’s news team, Studio Blue, and am currently assisting Sonoma State University’s Strategic Communications Department in creating BHM posts that’ll be shared on social media all throughout the month.
What goals or progress would you like to help the campus community achieve while you’re at SSU?
The most important thing to me is seeing Black students thrive at a PWI (predominantly white institution), so I think a long-term goal of mine is to see the graduation rate of Black students (40%) increase at SSU. And I believe that it all starts with making us feel more visible, heard, comfortable, and included in these spaces. I’d also like to see an increase in the number of Black students, faculty, CAPS therapists, and African-American studies classes (taught by Black professors).
Follow Kaili Spooner on Instagram: @kailinicole_
Sloan Howard
What does Black History Month mean to you and how do you celebrate it?
Black History Month is a time for people to reflect on the contributions Black people have made to further the progression of equity and equality around the world. It is also a time to acknowledge how far Black people have come and reflect on why it is important for us to continue to do so. I celebrate Black History Month every month of the year by supporting my brothers and sisters and cheering for them whenever and wherever possible.
Who is the most influential and inspiring Black hero in your life, and why?
The most influential and inspiring Black hero in my life is Madam CJ Walker, the first female self made-millionaire in America. Whenever I doubt how successful I can be, I remember her legacy which continues to and will always inspire me.
What goals or progress would you like to help the campus community achieve while you’re at SSU?
I would like to see the campus community achieve the creation of a space for underrepresented students who struggle with mental health, especially Black students, since there is so much depth to how mental health affects us differently than other groups.
If you could curate a Black History Month playlist of Five Songs that inspired your life’s journey what would they be and why?
These are the five songs I chose that have inspired my life's journey because each of them has been on replay for a certain time in my life which has helped me get through tough times and made my good days even better:
1. Uber Wit a Dub - SOB x RBE
2. Return of the Mack - Mark Morrison
3. Love Yourz - J Cole
4. P.Y.T - Michael Jackson
5. Really Really - Kevin Gates
Follow Sloan Howard on Instagram: @sbrhoward
Rafael Gomez
How has SSU empowered you to explore your unique gifts and talents?
SSU has inspired my gifts and talent by helping me to express them. To start off I am part of MSI (Male Success Initiative) and it's a program that helps young males to advocate for themselves and give back to the community. It teaches us life wisdom and the good and bad of the real world. How to be professional through it all while staying true to yourself and your abilities to impact communities. SSU has also helped me express my entrepreneurship through my brand “Rafa Rare.” Connecting with other like- minded individuals and spreading the message through stories, fashion, and education has really helped me.
Jaylen Wells
Who is the most influential and inspiring Black hero in your life, and why?
The most influential black hero in my life is my father. When my dad was growing up he had to battle a lot of racism and challenges in his life. From being one of the first black firemen in his station to simply supporting my basketball dream. One thing I’ve learned from my father is to always keep a positive attitude. No matter how many people have tried to bring him down, challenge, or make fun of him, he’s always kept a positive outlook to every situation and I think the way he carries himself has made me a better man today.
How has SSU empowered you to explore your unique gifts and talents?
Sonoma State has empowered me to show my talents by blessing me with a scholarship to play basketball here. It’s always been a dream of mine to play college basketball and I’m glad I am able to experience it here at Sonoma!
Follow Jaylen Wells on Instagram: @jaylenwellss and Twitter: @jaylen_wells
Nyree Johnson
What does Black History Month mean to you and how do you celebrate it?
Black History Month to me is an opportunity to have loud conversations about what it means to be black. From our history to ways we can advance as a people. Black History is a spark at the beginning of the year to keep the wheels rolling on focusing on our people and culture.
Who is the most influential and inspiring Black hero in your life, and why?
The most inspiring black hero to me would be Viola Davis. As someone who loves the craft of acting, what she brings to the screen and stage is unmatched by all. Her portrayal of emotions is something to aspire to. Not only that, the resilience she displayed in her time off screen is the utmost inspiring. As a black, dark-skinned woman she has become a household name despite the light-skinned bias of Hollywood and the networks of white supremacy within it.
What goals or progress would you like to help the campus community achieve while you’re at SSU?
I would like to see SSU take care of their black students more. A lot of the pressure falls on us students and club members of BSU or MSI to create a community of our own. We need more people in positions of power to help us create a lasting infrastructure for many black students to come. We need more black faculty and staff to reach places where black students couldn't reach on their own to advocate for us.
What’s on your #BHMSSU23 Playlist?
Outstanding - The Gap Band
Love and Happiness - Al Green
Get Down On It - Kool & The Gang
Good Days - SZA
Cupcake No Fillin - Trunk Boiz