The Black-Serving Institution designation was made possible through Senate Bill 1348, which took effect January 1, 2025. Designations are limited to California colleges and universities with at least 10% of its enrolled student population identifying as Black and/or African American, or that have at least 1,500 Black and/or African American students enrolled.
During its first public meeting on December 8, California’s Governing Board for Black-Serving Institutions approved 31 campuses statewide for initial designation: two University of California campuses, three California State University campuses, 25 California Community Colleges, and one private/independent institution.
City College President Ricky Shabazz said the recognition validates the college’s commitment to serving all students. “I am happy that we take intentional efforts to celebrate the cultural and ethnic diversity of our students and employees. Our theme of ‘You Belong Here’ carries out into our programs, services, and our academic programs that seek to improve persistence, completion and transfer rates amongst Black students. We work tirelessly to eliminate equity gaps so that everyone succeeds. This state designation aligns with our work for veterans, Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Indigenous, first generation, LGBTQ+, justice impacted, and other students on campus.”
San Diego Mesa College President Ashanti Hands said the college’s designation as a Black‑Serving Institution is both an affirmation and a charge. “At a time when equity is being questioned in many spaces, this designation matters more than ever, recognizing the enduring brilliance and resilience of Black students while acknowledging persistent systemic barriers. Most importantly, it strengthens the college’s responsibility to create learning environments, support systems, and opportunities that honor Black students’ identities, uplift their voices, and expand their pathways to thrive. This designation is not symbolic. It is a promise, one that San Diego Mesa College is prepared to meet with intention, action, and unwavering care.”
Among City College services supporting Black student success are the Umoja community, which assists students who desire to transfer to four-year colleges and universities; Hermanos Unidos Brothers United (HUBU); and a chapter of A2MEND, an acronym for the African American Male Education Network and Development, which is dedicated to increasing the educational success of Black male students.
Among the Mesa College services supporting Black student success are the Harambee Protocol, a collaborative think tank that advances projects and programs designed to uplift Black students. This work is supported by the A2MEND chapter, Black Student Union, Umoja Mesa Academy, Black Faculty Counselor Collaborative, Black Employee Community, Black Student Success Working Group, Black Studies Program, Office of Student Success and Equity, Office of Institutional Effectiveness, and the Mental Health Services Office.
These equity-focused programs are having an impact. Retention and transfer rates for Black students across the SDCCD have improved. Still, there is much work to be done. Within California Community Colleges system, Black students have the lowest completion of degrees, certificates, and transfer rates compared to completion rates for their White and Asian peers, according to a 2024 California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office report.