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SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The Inland Empire Alliance of Black School Educators (IEABSE) is proud to announce the 5th annual “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child”, High School Black Graduate Recognition and Scholarship Ceremony. The event will take place at the Santos Manuel Student Union Event Center on the campus of California State University of San Bernardino at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 16.
IEABSE will present over 15 scholarships in the amounts of $500 and $1000 to African American graduating seniors from the Inland Empire. The evening will be filled with cultural celebration, community connectedness, and will end with a mantra from the students who pledge to support each other, be responsible family members, and become leaders within the Inland Empire. San Bernardino native Professor Anthony Blacksher will be the keynote speaker and will be challenging the students to analyze the role education has played in African American history and leverage present opportunities as tools to achieve their desired hopes and dreams.
Over 1000 supportive family members are expected to be in attendance to watch these graduates receive their Kente Stoles. The Kente Stoles symbolize academic accomplishment, community leadership, and personal responsibility. The Dorothy Ingram Award will be given to an educator from the Inland Empire that has inspired students to achieve at high levels. This individual is a drum major for student achievement and is being acknowledged for going the extra mile to ensure the success of our Inland Empire students.
“One of the most pressing issues facing San Bernardino and Riverside Counties is the college going rate and college readiness, events like the IE Black Graduation go a long way in celebrating high school students that will be attending our local colleges and universities,” Dr. Thomas Morales, President of California State University San Bernardino, said.
A special thanks to the Inland Empire High School Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony Planning Committee, San Bernardino City Unified School District and their Communications Department Director Linda Bardere, President of California State University of San Bernardino Dr. Tomas Morales, and San Bernardino Pacesetters. For any additional information please contact Keynasia Buffong at (909) 838-6131 or by email at ieabse@gmail.com
