Gus and Emma Thompson Black Resource Center Impact Report FY24-25

Dear Donor,

As we refect on the past year and prepare for the 2025—2026 Academic Year, one thing stands out: our gratitude for your support. Your partnership is crucial to our success, and as we continue to champion the academic, professional, and personal growth of our students, we thank you.

Your generosity has helped students thrive in many ways. With your support, we’ve enhanced academic programming through conference travel, scholarships, career readiness initiatives, and leadership development. You've also helped foster mentorship connections across a wide range of disciplines and industries.

Beyond academics, donor contributions have empowered students to lead their own programs and shape campus-wide initiatives. This summer, thanks to your continued support, the Gus & Emma Thompson Black Resource Center—fondly known as the “home away from home”—will undergo exciting renovations to better serve our vibrant community of students, faculty, and staf.

With sincerity, the reward truly is in the work, and I hope we’ll have more chances to connect with you throughout the upcoming year.

Malcolm Oliver II, Ph.D. Director

Gus & Emma Thompson Black Resource Center (BRC)

Propelling the SDSU Community Forward

Herbert J. Solomon Endowed Program Fund for BRC

Solomon Scholars

The Solomon Scholars program aims to support and retain second-year students by ofering resources that foster academic achievement and career growth. This initiative enhances students' experiences with scholarships, programming, and by addressing their most pressing needs—all while prioritizing student retention, academic success, and the development of professional and leadership skills.

Peer

Mentorship

The Solomon endowment has been used to support peer mentors for second-year students. These mentors ofer academic assistance, connect students with university resources and referrals, and help foster a sense of community among Solomon Scholars, enriching their social experience.

Solomon Scholarships

Scholarship recipients have benefted from continuous program support, resulting in demonstrated success in career and professional development. This year, Solomon Scholarship recipients were Malaika Mwangi, Joshua Massawe, and Jasper Felder.

Professional and Leadership Development

Professional and leadership development has been facilitated through a variety of program experiences, including guest speakers.

Ashley Wilson, from Library Services, provided insights into research techniques benefcial for both academic and professional work, while Rashida Scott Blades guided students through career exploration at the HGS Career Hub using library resources. Additionally, personalized academic advising is ofered by Brionna Jones, the Black Resource Center Advisor. The program also promotes learning beyond the classroom through professional development opportunities like the African Black Coalition (ABC) Conference, which addresses social and political issues impacting Black students. ABC has transformed into a year-round platform for training and education, focusing on leadership development, political education, and student organizing.

Investing in Black Student Success

We are deeply grateful to our donors for their continued philanthropic support of the Gus & Emma Thompson Black Resource Center. Their generous, collective philanthropic gifts are helping to signifcantly advance core areas of student success and center programming.

Philanthropy

Ongoing support for the Black Resource Center’s greatest needs through the BRC Endowed Scholarship, Black Minds Matter Fund, BRC Community Care Fund, and the BRC Excellence Fund, directly enhance the experiences and outcomes of students. The Gus & Emma Thompson Black Resource Center serves as a vital hub for all SDSU students, while centering and uplifting Black students through a foundation of care, equity, and opportunity, with lasting impact across generations.

Thriving in the Aztec Experience

Cesar Ramirez, Class of 2028

Class Level: Undergraduate Student College: Fowler College of Business Major: Business; Finance Emphasis

Cesar Ramirez is a frst-year business major at San Diego State University, focusing on fnance. He has a strong passion for the feld and aspires to pursue a career in wealth management, with the long-term goal of owning his own business.

During his frst year at SDSU, Ramirez achieved several milestones: he secured a summer internship with Deloitte, was elected vice president of professional activities for Delta Sigma Pi (Fall 2025), and was selected to serve as vice president of fnance for the Black Business Society for the 2025–2026 Academic Year.

The Gus and Emma Thompson Black Resource Center and the Henrietta Goodwin Scholars program have played a vital role in his journey, particularly as an out-of-state student. These communities have provided him with a strong support system—ofering encouragement, comfort, and motivation. Through his involvement, Ramirez has learned valuable life lessons, including the importance of resilience as a minority, staying committed despite skepticism from others, and surrounding himself with people who genuinely want to see him succeed.

The Black Resource Center and Goodwin Scholars program provided Ramirez with a vital support system, fostering resilience, commitment, and a sense of belonging as an out-of-state student.

Sabrina Simon, Class of 2026

Class Level: Undergraduate Student College: College of Arts & Letters

Major: Psychology; Neuroscience Emphasis

Sabrina Simon is a third-year student majoring in psychology with an emphasis in neuroscience and a minor in leadership development. During the 2024–2025 Academic Year, she served as president of the Afrikan Student Union at SDSU, leading the organization to be recognized as “Student Organization of the Year.” Simon organized signature events such as the 2025 Legacy Ball, which featured SDSU alumnus KalanFrFr, and coordinated travel for 40 students to attend the Afrikan Black Coalition Conference, promoting advocacy, education, and unity. She also served on multiple committees focused on student success and social empowerment.

Additionally, she partnered with Microsoft and fellow SDSU students to develop a research-based presentation on inclusive healthcare practices—an experience that strengthened her commitment to equity-driven leadership.

The Gus and Emma Thompson Black Resource Center (BRC) and the Henrietta Goodwin Scholars (HGS) program have been central to her college journey. From the beginning, HGS provided her with a strong foundation—ofering community, mentorship, and a sense of belonging. The BRC became her home base, where she grew as a leader, supported her peers, and found fulfllment in uplifting her community.

Simon credits the Black Resource Center and Goodwin Scholars program with providing the foundation, mentorship, and community that shaped her equity-focused leadership and commitment to student empowerment.

Jada Reed, Class of 2025

Class Level: Undergraduate Student College: College of Arts & Letters

Major: Urban Studies; Africana Studies Minor

Jada Reed earned her bachelor’s degree in urban studies with a minor in Africana studies during the Spring 2025 semester. While at San Diego State University, she served for three consecutive years as a student assistant at the Gus and Emma Thompson Black Resource Center (BRC), where she held roles as both an academic program mentor and the media team lead.

Her dedication to becoming a professor in Africana studies was evident through her leadership as vice president of the Afrikan Student Union, where she organized the annual ASU High School Conference, which drew over 100 participants. She also served as the lead facilitator for the Black Women’s Healing Circle and collaborated with faculty on grant-funded initiatives focused on empowering women of color.

The BRC played a signifcant role in shaping her personal and professional journey, providing academic support through programs like Henrietta Goodwin Scholars, leadership development opportunities, and consistent encouragement from staf. Reed describes the BRC as her “home away from home.” She has been accepted into SDSU’s Master of Arts in Feminist Studies program, where she will continue to pursue her passion and work toward her career aspirations.

Reed’s three-year tenure at the Black Resource Center shaped her academic and leadership journey—ofering mentorship, community, and opportunities that propelled her toward a career in Africana studies.

Celebrating Our Accomplishments

Statistics of Interest

The Gus & Emma Thompson Black Resource Center (BRC) ofers academic and community programming that supports student success and addresses critical needs in a safe and welcoming environment. Despite declining Black/African American student enrollment in local public schools, the BRC serves more than 1,400 students. SDSU’s Black student population has remained stable at just under 5% over the past 10 years, aligning with the average across all CSU campuses. This year, the BRC recorded over 8,900 visits.

According to CalMatters, “Just one Cal State campus, San Diego State, has efectively closed its graduation rate gap between underrepresented and non-underrepresented freshmen students, as well as between Black students and non-underrepresented freshmen students.”

Signature Events

Harambee Weekend is an event for admitted students who identify as Black/African American to build community and enjoy SDSU. This year, the event drew over 350 attendees, with 67 of 81 prospective students committing to SDSU and a 96.7% satisfaction rate reported.

Black Career Fair provides students the opportunity to network with companies and professionals while participating in interactive workshops focused on professional development. This year’s fair featured 215 student attendees, 28 employer tables, 3 professional development workshops, and participation from various SDSU departments.

Paint Talks is a monthly program designed to build community among students through artistic expression and discussions related to the Black community. With a total of 200 attendees throughout the academic year, it was the most attended monthly event hosted by the BRC.

Recent Highlights

The BRC ofers more than 35 academic and community-building programs each year, with total attendance across all programs exceeding 1,300 participants:

Wellness Wednesday is a mental health and well-being initiative that brings students together to discuss the psychological and physical elements they navigate as students within their individual and collective experiences (facilitated by Dr. Zemed Berhe, SDSU clinical psychologist).

Black Women's Healing Circle (BWHC) is a monthly event, in partnership with the Women's Resource Center, that allows Black women to hold space and discuss topics specifc to their identity and experience.

Black Men's Warrior Collective is a monthly gathering that strengthens relationships and encourages open discussions across interests and disciplines without fear of judgment. The Research Symposium is an annual event where students present research to the SDSU community.

Black Grad Monthly Mixer is a graduate student-led space to connect, network, discuss research, build community, and support one another.

Black Culture Art & Soul is an evening celebrating Black art and artistry by showcasing local Black talent within the student body and the larger SDSU community.

Rooted in Faith is an annual event that explores the intersections of faith, spirituality, and identity on campus.

Black Baccalaureate is an event, in partnership with Africana Studies, that celebrates the graduating members of the senior class.

Black Legacy Awards is a formal annual event, in collaboration with the Afrikana Student Union, that recognizes the academic merit of students, the dedication of on- and of-campus partners, and faculty through student votes and a selection committee.

Vote & Amplify is an initiative that educates students on the importance of politics and the power of their voice.

Carne Asada Cookout is a Latinx and Black community collaboration designed to foster cultural exchange through food.

A Night of Kosher Soul is a Jewish and Black community collaboration that builds cultural understanding through shared cuisine.

Rachael Stewart, Ed.D.

Title: Faculty Scholar College: College of Education

Achievement: Dr. Rachael Stewart continues to build on the leadership development of our students through innovative curriculum design, community partnership building, opportunities for advanced student research, and support for student career growth.

She actively creates opportunities for students to engage in meaningful learning experiences—both inside and outside the classroom—including group activities, research initiatives, conference attendance, career fairs, guest lectures, and (self-)refective assignments.

Her course evaluations indicate that students beneft most when course content is both relevant and practically applicable to their individualized career goals and broader university expectations. This approach has led to high levels of student satisfaction and sustained participation in BRC academic programming.

Dr. Stewart's impactful work also includes presenting at conferences such as South by Southwest (SXSW), collaborating with community organizations like San Diego nonprofts and JP Morgan Chase Bank, and securing SEED grant funding to promote conscious inclusion and mindfulness in the classroom.

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Dr. Rachael Stewart empowers students through innovative, careerfocused teaching, impactful community partnerships, and inclusive experiences that inspire lasting academic and professional growth.