Jae’Shaun Phillips has a strong belief in the opportunities offered by Sacramento State, a California State University that proudly boasts the largest Black student population with over 2,000 individuals. He is among the first members of the Black Honors College, an innovative program aimed at nurturing future Black scholars and leaders.
Sacramento State is not only making strides for its students but also spearheading initiatives across California. The university is now home to the Cal State system’s newly established Office for the Advancement of Black Student Success, which aims to enhance support for Black students within the entire system. Additionally, this office will oversee the implementation of a new designation for colleges and universities in California that display a firm commitment to serving Black students.
Beginning January 1, a new law known as SB 1348 will introduce the nation’s inaugural Black-Serving Institution designation. This classification will be awarded to qualifying colleges pledging to tackle California’s systemic barriers that have led to low college enrollment and graduation rates for Black students. Although not mentioned directly in the statute, both public and private nonprofit institutions will be eligible to apply, as per the office of Democratic state Senator Steven Bradford, who sponsored the law. Notably, this designation does not receive federal recognition, nor will it provide federal funding to the campuses.
To qualify, institutions must meet several support requirements, including having at least 10% Black student enrollment. If this threshold cannot be met, a college must have a minimum of 1,500 Black students. For students like Phillips, such figures offer reassurance. “Seeing motivated individuals who share our background striving for success in college inspires me,” he stated.
However, many Black college students often find themselves in the minority across most educational settings in California. The state accommodates over 217,000 Black students within a broader population of around 3.4 million.
Academic performance data reveals that California’s Black students often lag behind their peers. Approximately two-thirds of Black students begin their academic journey at community colleges, with only 35% transferring to a four-year institution within six years—significantly lower than the 45% transfer rate for white students. Graduation statistics at California State universities show a discrepancy, with only 49% of Black students graduating in six years compared to a 62% overall rate. The University of California system exhibits the lowest Black enrollment, with 78% of Black students graduating in six years, still trailing the general student population by 8 percentage points.
Bradford expresses concern over these figures, noting a 25% decline in Black undergraduate enrollment nationwide from 2010 to 2020. He hopes the new legislative measure will help reverse this downward trend by recognizing institutions committed to supporting African American students.
To date, no California colleges or universities have qualified for the two federal designations for institutions serving Black students: Predominantly Black Institutions (which require at least 40% Black enrollment) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (which were established before 1964 with a mission to educate Black students).
The Office of Black Excellence is set to manage the application process for schools aiming for the Black-Serving Institution designation. A governing board, including the lieutenant governor and the chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, along with various public college representatives, will review applications.
In order to be designated, colleges must have programs focused on Black student success, a yet-to-be-defined history of Black retention and graduation statistics, and a comprehensive five-year plan aimed at improving these rates. Bradford’s office anticipates that the board will clarify any ambiguities surrounding the law in January. Currently, there are no outlined requirements for two-year nonprofit private colleges or a deadline for when the first designation will be issued. Additionally, it remains uncertain what self-reported or federal enrollment data will be utilized to establish eligibility or whether both undergraduate and graduate students will be included.
Self-reported figures may lead to discrepancies in how these institutions are evaluated; for instance, while the UC system claims 4.5% of its undergraduate students are Black, the federal Department of Education states the actual figure is only 2.3%.
Federal statistics reveal that 60 colleges and universities in California meet the criteria for being designated a Black-Serving Institution, comprising 32 private nonprofits, 24 community colleges, three CSUs, and a single UC—UCLA, with 3.6% or 1,681 Black students. Interestingly, UC’s self-reported data for 2022 showed that in addition to UCLA, two other UCs reported over 1,500 Black students, which increased to four in 2023.
The discrepancy in numbers arises because the UC system categorizes mixed-race individuals hierarchically, considering them part of the Black demographic if they self-identify as such. In contrast, federal data classifies mixed-race students in a separate “two or more” category. The CSU and community college systems use a more inclusive category of two or more racial groups, whereas private nonprofit institutions generally have independent data practices, complicating assessments of their methodologies.
Several California campuses are already focused on advancing Black student success, serving as models for the Black-Serving Institution initiative. Presidents Keith Curry of Compton College and Luke Wood of Sacramento State collaborated closely with Bradford’s office to shape the law.
Both leaders acknowledge the constraints posed by Proposition 209, which was implemented to eliminate race-based admissions. They assert that their programs target minority students while remaining open to others. In 2022, Curry declared Compton College a Black-Serving Institution, urging educational leaders to support Black students boldly. Positioned south of Los Angeles, Compton College’s population includes 1,204 Black students, making up roughly a quarter of its total enrollment.
Curry emphasizes the significance of cultural engagement to boost student interest, implementing events such as Black Welcome and Black Graduation. Notably, rapper Kendrick Lamar recently spoke at the college graduation, generating excitement within the community.
In 2021, Compton College established the position of director of Black and Males of Color Success, held by Antonio Banks. This role aims to connect students with tutoring services and resources, while also leading initiatives like the Men’s Leadership Academy, which hosts community-building events. “We aim to cultivate a sense of community and empower students to advocate for themselves and others in their educational journey,” Banks stated.
Curry believes his targeted approach is yielding positive results, with a reported 34.6% increase in returning Black students for the current academic year. Banks anticipates it might take one to three years to fully assess the impact of their programs on graduation rates.
In the CSU system, Wood is a prominent advocate for Black student support. A 2023 report highlighted the institutional failures in delivering equitable outcomes for Black students within the system. Recommendations included recruiting faculty adept in serving Black students, diversifying the curriculum, and establishing dedicated Black Resource Centers on campuses. Much of the groundwork suggested in the report is already in place at Sacramento State.
Sacramento State actively hosts numerous groups and resources aimed at supporting Black and marginalized students. “We’re striving to construct an experience beyond the classroom that honors Black culture, history, and heritage akin to an HBCU,” Wood expressed.
The Black Honors College at Sacramento State is one initiative dedicated to Black academic achievement and culture. Selected students benefit from specialized support including seminars, research opportunities, and therapy services. The university is also forging partnerships with community colleges that have high Black student populations, such as Merritt College and Compton College.
Business major Phillips, who attended predominantly white schools throughout his education in Tracy, California, was drawn to Sacramento State due to its supportive community for Black students. He emphasized how programs like the Black Honors College are particularly beneficial for academically gifted students who may lack strong familial support or who haven’t been encouraged to reach their full potential.
Wood reported that their outreach efforts are already reaping rewards, with a total increase of around 4,000 applications this fall, including a 17% rise in enrolled Black freshmen and a significant 40% increase in Black community college transfers. Notably, the four-year graduation rate for Black students rose to 25% for the graduating class of 2024, a jump from the previous 20% in 2019.
Student responses regarding campus support have been diverse. Students pursuing the new Black-Serving Institution designation are keen to attract individuals like Nora Thompson, a justice administration major at Merritt College. With a Black student population of 20.4%, she has always sought the inclusive environment typical of an HBCU and plans to transfer to North Carolina Central University in the spring to pursue her dream of becoming a judge.
“I had to exert myself significantly more to be recognized as a serious student,” Thompson shared. “For many, the HBCU experience transforms lives … I long for a sense of community that encompasses every aspect of life, not just education.”
Similarly, Kaylon Coleman, a junior journalism major and president of the Black Student Union at Cal Poly Humboldt, expresses dissatisfaction with his university experience which is marked by subtle racism and limited access to Black scholars. At Cal Poly, only 179 out of 6,025 enrolled students are Black, falling short of qualifying for the Black-Serving Institution designation.
In his freshman year, Coleman learned that the Black Student Union had a history of disbanding due to low enrollment. Seeking support, he turned to the Umoja Center, which aids students of Black descent. With a friend’s effort, the union was revived, but Coleman finds it challenging to navigate being one of the few Black students in his classes, frequently encountering microaggressions.
“I often feel exhausted being the sole representative of my race in class,” Coleman admitted. “It’s daunting to constantly explain why certain remarks are offensive.” He believes that without the Black-Serving Institution designation, Black students at various California colleges may be overlooked and miss out on significant benefits.
On the other hand, Kyira Todmia, a senior studying neurobiology, physiology, and behavior at UC Davis, has a different perspective. With 783 reported Black students—2% of the total—Davis claims more self-reported figures. While she recognizes the small Black population, she appreciates the strong support systems available.
Todmia fostered her social connections by engaging with the African American “learning community” during freshman year and frequently visits the Center for African Diaspora for study resources and events. Nonetheless, in her time at Davis, she has had only one Black professor, highlighting the underrepresentation of Black students in STEM fields.
Senator Bradford, reflecting on his college experience at Cal State Dominguez Hills in the 1980s, is personally tied to this legislation. He expressed hope that the environment created under the new Black-Serving Institution designation will be inviting and supportive, a sentiment he wishes he had experienced during his own college years over 40 years ago.
