Blue, Gold & BLACK

Welcome John Jennings to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast. Jennings is a Professor of Media and Cultural studies for the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. In this episode Professor Jennings discusses his journey of being a Black man in America that overcame poverty. Tune in as he touches on how he was able to follow his dream of becoming an award winning artist through gaining access to higher education.

Welcome Desmond Harvey to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast. Desmond is an Academic Advisor for Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE). In this episode, Desmond discusses his experience attending an HBCU and its impact on his present day leadership style. As an advisor at UC Riverside, Desmond emphasizes the importance of facilitating a culture of mentorship amongst his students. Listen, as Desmond speaks on the events that influenced his career of melding engineering and student guidance.

Please welcome Elizabeth Tisdale to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast. Elizabeth services UCR students as an Academic Adviser for the School of Business. Elizabeth is no stranger to UCR. She is an alum and has worked for multiple sectors of the campus community. Listen in as Elizabeth gives us insight to the School of Business and how the Business Major can benefit a student in pursuing a career in the field of business!

Welcome Dr. Ademide to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast. Dr. Ademide is a historian who researches mostly cities, especially 19th century cities in West Africa. Dr. Ameides story is inspiring for all those who are interested in higher education and are currently undecided on the career they desire. Dr. Ademide encourages individuals to identify their interests and see how they can match them. We are excited to see Dr. Ademide at UCR, hear her story and understand how it led her on her journey today.

Welcome Dr. Jody Benjamin to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast. Dr. Benjamin serves UCR as a Professor of African History. His research focuses on the 18th and 19th century transformations reshaping western Africa up to the early colonial period. Dr. Benjamin grew up with deep roots to Black culture but did not originally set out to be a Professor of African History. Listen as he shares his story and what led him to discovering the amazing world that is African History.

Welcome Dr. Jennifer Brown to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast. Dr. Brown serves UCR as the Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education and a professor of Public Policy. Dr. Brown has an extensive history within the world of higher education. She also talks about an amazing story of perseverance to continue through and excel in higher education despite some setbacks. Listen in as Dr. Brown talks to us about understanding the structures within higher education and what makes a university run smoothly behind the scenes.

Welcome Shonte Thomas to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast. Shonte serves the students of UCR as the Associate Dean of Students of the Ethnic and Gender Centers. In this episode, Shonte talks to us about her upbringing and how it shaped her outlook on education. As an alumn of the UC system, she is well equipped to advocated for students, especially students that have been historically underrepresented within the UC system. Listen as she details her journey through higher education and how she uses the experiences of that journey to advocate for Black and other underrepresented students here at UCR!

Welcome Dr. Kendrick Davis to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast. Dr. Davis serves UCR as the Associate Dean of Assessment and Evaluation at the School of Medicine here on UCR's campus. When it comes to advocating on the behalf of Black students and their genius, Dr. Davis is one of the biggest champions. He believes that the gifts of Black students are only bound by the realm of possibilities that they are nurtured by. Listen as Dr. Davis tells us about his amazing journey through education and how he inspires Black students to achieve their limitless potential.

Welcome Dr. Raquell Rall to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast. Dr. Rall is an Assistant Professor for UCR's Graduate School of Education. Dr. Rall grew up with the understanding that education is fundamental to the success of Black children. Having parents who championed her and her educational journey, Dr. Rall services students of UCR by teaching them about leadership and governance of higher education as well as equity in higher education. Listen as Dr. Rall shares with us her relationship with higher education and how that shapes the way she services the students of UCR.

Welcome Wilbert Pines to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast. Will serves the UCR Community as an Accessible Tech Specialist for the Student Disability Resource Center. In this episode Will talks to us about the importance of making education and information accessible to ALL students. Will shares experiences of his upbringing that shaped the man he is today. He has an extensive professional history and brings a unique worldview to the way he carries out his work here at UCR. Listen as Will talks about the importance of the SDRC and how ALL students should feel encouraged to seek resources and support to help them be successful.

Welcome Kevin Martin to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast. Kevin Martin serves as the Senior Recreation Supervisor/Intramural Sports for UCR Recreation. In this episode, Kevin discusses his growing up in both Louisiana and Texas, and explains how this experience contributed to his educational endeavors. Listen as Kevin speaks on being a college athlete, and his intentional decision to diversify both his knowledge and himself. In his current position, Kevin makes a conscious effort to bring people together through sports. Listen as Kevin discusses his commitment to bettering recreation and the Black student experience at UCR.

Welcome Michelle Burroughs to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast. Michelle services UCR as the Director of Community Engagement & Outreach for the Center of Healthy Communities as well as Finance Administrative Officer, for the Department of Social Medicine. In this episode of our podcast we are going to learn more about Michelle and her journey through higher education and how attending an HBCU shaped her world view. Listen as Michelle explains the importance of ethically providing medical and health care services to communities of color and how it is critical to be culturally competent when servicing communities of various backgrounds. Michelle is one of the leading people in the School of Medicine establishing critical relationships with the communities of Riverside.

Welcome Paige McGee to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast! Paige works as a Research Administrator in the Entomology Department and is also a UCR Alumni. In this episode of our podcast, Paige talks about her upbringing and the experiences in her life that have helped shape her identity. Listen as she talks about her experience as a UCR student and how she also serves students as a Research Administrator and how the Entomology Department is creating opportunities for Black Students and Students of Color.

Welcome Keona Henderson to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast. Keona Henderson is the current president of the UCR Black Alumni Chapter. Keona Henderson comes from a background of various neighborhoods and has a passion for Black culture. Keona is not only a leader, but an entrepreneur. She owns her own company, is a realtor, as well as a motivational speaker and life coach, and participates in many other endeavors. Tune in, as Keona Henderson dives into her educational experiences involving community college, and her commitment to being a change agent for the Black Community.

Welcome Victor Moreira to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast. Victor is an Academic Advisor for the College of Humanities Arts and Social Science(CHASS). In this episode, Victor speaks on his experience of growing up in the Inland Empire in a diverse neighborhood and how that helped shape his identity. As a UC Riverside alumni Victor was an active member of the Black community as a student and continues his dedication to UCR into his professional life. Hear as Victor Moreira discusses his interesting educational journey and his insights on mentorship.

Welcome Chanel Parrish to the Blue, Gold and BLACK Podcast. Chanel works in the Career Center here at UCR as a Financial and Administrative Coordinator and is also the Chair of the Black Faculty and Staff Association. Listen as Chanel tells us about her upbringing and some of the challenges she faced with identity and how UCR served as a catalyst for overcoming those challenges. Chanel not only works for UCR but also attended UCR as a student! She has incredible insight and knows the Career Center like the back of her hand and uses that knowledge to advocate not only Black students, but for faculty and staff as well.

Welcome Leslie Settle to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast. Leslie works as the Access Services Desk Coordinator in the Rivera Library, and is a proud UCR alumni. In this episode of our podcast Leslie talks of her experience as a student and its influence on her work ethic today. Leslie practices an ethic of uplifting those around her, and emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy. She also highlights the significance of community, and its impact on an individuals perspective. Listen, as Leslie Settle tackles some of the tougher aspects of college life, and offers helpful advice to the student listener.

Welcome Gabriel Maldonado to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast. Gabriel is a UCR alum and is currently the Chief Executive Officer of TruEvolution, a non-profit organization that fights for health equity and racial justice to advance the quality of life and human dignity of LGBTQ people. Listen as Gabriel talks about his upbringing and experiences at UCR that shaped his identity and his journey.

Welcome Dennis McIver to the Blue, Gold and BLACK Podcast. Listen in as Dennis tells of his childhood in Baltimore and his collegiate journey. Dennis utilizes his extensive education and experience within higher education to serve as an Academic Adviser for UCR's Honors Program. He is intentional in being a visible and present resource at UCR, while promoting the importance of progress even in the face of adverse circumstances. Tune in, and you're not only sure to learn about the various benefits of our Honors Program, but you might also take away some great new insights.

Welcome Dr. Ayoka Bell to the Blue, Gold and BLACK Podcast. Dr. Bell is a licensed clinical psychologist who currently works in the UCR Counseling and Psychological Services. Recalling her roots, she guides us through a childhood immersed in the Black Panther Education Program and touched by the mature realities of early race consciousness. Enveloped by a strong family tradition of education by any means, obtaining a Ph.D. might have been destiny, but the journey there was an Adventure rivaling the Odessey. Empathy for self and others is key in Dr. Bell's practice. Empathy used to build bridges across communities and spaces could be the element that creates trust in our socially divided world.

Welcome Dr. Denise Woods to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast. Dr. Woods serves as our Assistant Vice Chancellor of Health, Counseling and Wellness here at UCR. Listen as Dr. Woods tells us about her experiences growing up in The Bay immersed in a strong Black Community and her pursuit of higher education which led her to public health. All of those experiences culminate in the work she does for our community here at UCR and her mission of approaching health holistically.

Welcome Tamica Smith-Jones to the Blue, Gold & BLACK. Tamica is no stranger to the world of higher education and the students these institutions serve. As the first Black Athletics Director at UCR, Tamica Smith-Jones works hard to create a welcoming and studious environment for all student athletes on campus. Her family oriented and hardworking upbringing along with her past experiences in collegiate athletics have proved extremely valuable for an Athletic Directors career. Hear as Tamika engages us with her heartfelt and inspiring story of success.

Welcome Dr. Jamal Myrick to the Blue, Gold and BLACK Podcast. Dr. Myrick services Black Scholars as the director of the African Student Programs. ASP was founded back in 1972 and serves as the dedicated resource center for students identifying within the African Diaspora. Listen as Dr. Myrick talks about his upbringing and what influences him to incorporate the philosophy of Village Business in the way that he and ASP supports Black Scholars at UCR.

Welcome Dr. Brian Haynes to the Blue, Gold & BLACK Podcast. Dr. Haynes has decades of experience working in Senior Executive positions at public universities across the country. Listen as Dr. Haynes talks about formative experiences throughout his educational and professional career, and how he brings those experiences to his role as the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs here at the University of California, Riverside.

A brief introduction to the Blue, Gold and BLACK Podcast.