CHICO — An open and welcoming feeling is what international grad student Dre Mukum has felt ever since stepping foot into the new Black Resource Center at Chico State.
Mukum has always embraced versatility. Coming from Cameroon, but also having traveled to various different countries, he is no stranger to change.
But Chico State, specifically the resource center, has provided him with a sense of community.
Graduate student Dre Mukum hangs out and talks to a friend Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at the Black Resource Center in Chico, California.(Milca Elvira Chacon/Enterprise-Record)
“It has been like a home away from home,” Mukum said.
In April 2024, the California State University system allocated funding to its 23 campuses from the CSU’s committed $10 million fund for Black student advancement and success.
This included an award of $250,000 for the creation of the BRC at Chico State.
One of the things Mukum admires most about the resource center has been the inclusivity. His reasoning to choose Chico State was the abundance of resources provided by the school and community.
BRC Program Coordinator Darnell Lee is one of those resources. And Mukum went so far as to describe Lee as a “foster parent,” of whom he is grateful for the help Lee has provided in his social and scholar life.
Sophomore Tea Bradley looks over her semester schedule Monday Aug. 26, 2024 at the Black Resource Center in Chico, California.(Milca Elvira Chacon/Enterprise-Record)
Perpetuating excellence
Lee has been at Chico State since 2006. Seeing plans revolving around the help and success for black students come to fruition has amazed him.
Having a place where students could perpetuate black excellence and foster a welcoming environment has been his goal all along, he said.
The BRC will provide peer mentoring, advising, a space for students to study, hang out and a collaboration with the university program Men of Chico.
The center’s official grand opening will be Tuesday Sept. 3, during which students will be able to enjoy food, drinks and music in the Meriam Library room 143 near the ITSS office.
With a population of 2.1% of Black people in Chico, Lee recognizes that it hasn’t always been the most diverse. Having a place where a student can have a sense of identity and culture is crucial.
Students Kamryn Powers, left to right, Tia Saunders and Raven Patterson enjoy each others company Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at the Black Resource Center after a day of classes in Chico, California. (Milca Elvira Chacon/Enterprise-Record)
“I think the reason why I’m so passionate about being there for students and answering the bell for our students is because it didn’t always exist,” Lee said.
Associated Students President Chris Sullivan defined the BRC in one word, “empowering.”
Spaces like these in higher education matter to Sullivan because of its impact on things such as the increase on black student retention.
So far he’s enjoyed seeing familiar faces and getting to know new people in the resource center.
He said he applauds Sacramento State for being the first black-serving institution in the CSU system, hoping that Chico State and other campuses could learn to build off of that.
Community
The community that the BRC has fostered is evident to senior student Tia Saunders.
With the help of the resource center and staff, she believes it has the power to change someone’s life.
Senior Tia Saunders signs in before entering the Black Resource Center on Thursday Aug. 29, 2024 in Chico, California.(Milca Elvira Chacon/Enterprise-Record)
In regards to first-generation Black students, she wants them to know that they belong in higher education and anything they set their minds to.
“They’re supposed to be here, everybody’s supposed to be here and they have a place,” Saunders said.
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