From left: Vicki Brewster, president of the African American Faculty and Staff Association, CSUF President Milton A. Gordon, Margaret Faulwell Gordon, Gregory C. Brown and Angela Della Volpe. Photo by Alethea Hardy

Culture Celebrated

Students and Faculty Produce Events Promoting Black History, Health and Heritage

March 17, 2009

By Mimi Ko Cruz

Cal State Fullerton celebrated Black History Month in February with various events — from panel discussions to performances.

Kicking off the festivities was the annual African American Faculty and Staff Association Black History Celebration dinner at President Milton A. Gordon's home, El Dorado Ranch.

As is tradition, the association gave Gordon and his wife, Margaret Faulwell Gordon, dean of the College of Extended and International Education and professor of anthropology at Cal State Dominguez Hills, a gift. This year's gift was a pencil sketch of the couple. The artwork was drawn by art major Durrel Odom. Odom was an AAFSA scholarship recipient last year.

Cal State Fullerton celebrated Black History Month in February with various events — from panel discussions to performances.

Kicking off the festivities was the annual African American Faculty and Staff Association Black History Celebration dinner at President Milton A. Gordon's home, El Dorado Ranch.

Other Black History Month activities included:

• “Bringing Back the Positive Image of a Black Man,” a presentation by sophomore Dorado Quick, president of the student group Alliance for the Preservation of African Consciousness. Quick spoke about promoting a positive image of black men and leading by example.


Aubry L. Stone, president and CEO of the California Black Chamber of Commerce, left, delivered the keynote address on "The State of Business in the African American Community" Feb. 12, as part of Black History Month activities on campus. Photo by Kelly Lacefield

• “The State of Business in the African American Community.” Aubry L. Stone, president and CEO of the California Black Chamber of Commerce delivered the keynote address at this event.
• “Is Hip Hop Really Dead? From Common to Soulja Boy" panel discussion. Panelists, speaking about Hip Hop, were Gregory Brown, Cal State Fullerton assistant professor of criminal justice, and students Timothy Hutchins, Hideki Fukusumi, Aaron Allen and Tiana Coleman.
• Second annual "Love Yourself and Your Health African American Health Symposium." Sponsored by the student group African Americans in Science, this event featured talks on various health-related topics, including cancer, diabetes, sex and heart disease.


Freshman Gina Alessi delivers her winning speech during the first “Martin Luther King Speech Competition” Feb. 25 at the Cobb Residence Halls. Her prize included a $100 gift certificate to Titan Shops. Photo by Selema Moliga

• Cal State Fullerton's first “Martin Luther King Speech Competition” featured students presenting speeches on the theme: “Keeping the Dream Alive.” Five finalists were chosen to give their speeches and freshman Gina Alessi walked away the winner. She received a $100 gift certificate to Titan Shops.
• Second annual “Why I Love Black Women” dinner. Hosted by the student group Alliance for the Preservation of African Consciousness, women were feted for their contributions to society and to higher education. Among the evening's honorees and the resons they were chosen were: students Alexis Robinson, a member of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, for outstanding volunteer service; Linizi Henry, a board member of African Americans in Science, for outstanding community service; Mikaella Melendez, for inspiring APAC and AAS through her leadership as president of Black Women in Psychology; Tianna Coleman, for her leadership as coordinator of the university's African American Resource Center; and assistant track and field coach Brandit Copper for distinguised faculty service.