Renowned diversity expert to speak at CSUSB symposium on race

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- Cal State San Bernardino will co-host  an inaugural symposium on race and race relations on Wednesday, April 16, at the university’s Santos Manuel Student Union Events Center.

“Painting a Social Rainbow for a Better Inland Empire” will be held from noon-4 p.m. Registration and check-in for the symposium begins at 11 a.m. The event is free and open to the public and includes complimentary parking in Lot D. To register, visit the event website.

The event, which is co-hosted by the Westside Action Group of San Bernardino and CSUSB’s University Diversity Committee, will feature Samuel Betances, a nationally renowned scholar, writer, speaker and activist on issues of diversity. He will deliver the keynote address at 12:15 p.m.

Betances, a  consultant and professor emeritus of sociology at Northeastern Illinois University, will speak on the topics of workplace diversity, ethnic and race relations and educational reform.

“The purpose of this symposium is to bring together members of the CSUSB campus and its surrounding communities to provide an opportunity for positive dialogue regarding issues related to race and race relations,” said César Caballero, dean of CSUSB’s Pfau Library and co-chair of the symposium planning committee.

Westside Action Group is a proactive organization for African Americans in San Bernardino County in general, but is primarily focused on the city of San Bernardino. The group hosts a weekly community forum serving as a resource, an advocate for education, economic and community development; and as consultants to candidates seeking public office.

“WAG is excited about the symposium,” said Alton Garrett, the group’s president. “The scheduled speakers and participants bode well for an outstanding, informative symposium.

“It will provide valuable insight into racism and perceived racism,” he said. “Institutional racism is a reality and hopefully, individuals who are not aware of their practices will gain much needed knowledge and understanding of their beliefs.”

Caballero agreed. “The intent is to create awareness of historical and current race relations, so that participants can work together to develop greater levels of understanding and take positive actions that would result in improved race relations on campus and the Inland Empire.”

Betances’ success at bringing cultures together has earned him many awards. His goal is to help others learn the importance of pulling cultures together as a way of bringing America back to the top – in education, business and society in general. As he puts it, “Our mission is to make America stronger, healthier and freer than when we found her.”

Each time Betances addresses an audience, he stresses the need to accept and embrace diversity and, as he puts it, “to harness the rainbow,” saying, “It matters less where we are from – what really matters is where we are going.”

The Harvard alum has consulted all over the world for more than 20 years with private and public sector clients to help strengthen the workplace by making a business case for diversity without bashing any particular group at the expense of another.

Following the keynote address, there will be four breakout sessions simultaneously scheduled from 1:15-2:15 p.m. Participants may select from:

• “Education: Dropouts and Discipline,” facilitated by Ray Culberson, director of youth Services for the San Bernardino City Unified School District;
• “Perceptions and Culture: Health and Unemployment,” presented by Diane Woods, a research psychologist at UCR and founding president and CEO of the African American Health Institute of San Bernardino County;
• “Law Enforcement and Crime” led by Ron Cochran, assistant sheriff of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s department; and
• “Residential Segregation: Housing and Education,” presented by Louie Rodriguez, associate professor of CSUSB’s Educational Leadership and Curriculum department and co-director of the doctorate in educational leadership program.

WAG assists the community through special projects and financially contributes to its welfare through fundraising, donor solicitations and its operating fund. In addition, the Frank Stallworth Benevolent Fund was created many years ago specifically to assist those who have dire need.

Last year, WAG provided more than $22,000 in scholarships to students, aid to families with hardships and financial support to community projects, such as refurbishing of the Martin Luther King statue in San Bernardino.

CSUSB’s University Diversity Committee was formed in the mid 1990s under President Emeritus Anthony Evans. Currently chaired by Caballero, the group is comprised of faculty, staff and student representatives from throughout the university with staggered two-year appointments.

UDC’s mission is to foster an academic community which reflects the values set forth in the Statement of Commitment to Diversity; as well as to facilitate and promote ongoing opportunities for public discussion related to diversity; to create an environment which fosters behaviors that model an appreciation of diversity; and to promote the enhancement of educational programs to reflect pluralistic values and goals, among others.

For more information about the Symposium on Race and Race Relations, contact César Caballero at (909) 537-3443 or email ccaballe@csusb.edu.

For more information about Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Public Affairs at (909) 537-5007 and visit news.csusb.edu.