This year’s lineup included a virtual tour of CSUB and President Zelezny was in attendance, as well, to show her support for the initiative with a few encouraging words as she welcomed the students participating in the event.
“We provide students with those opportunities that they might not have ever thought were possible. Providing this annual event gives more and more students the opportunity to learn about it and to be a part of the college career goal. And to be part of a new path. That’s what we’re hoping. We’re even hoping to extend it to middle school,” said Dr. Evans-Santiago.
The keynote address was from Dr. Fairest Hill, an international motivational speaker and recording artist who resides in Tampa Bay, Florida. After graduating from Central High School with honors, Dr.Hill continued his education at the Detroit College of Business and Golden Pacific University where
he earned his master’s degree in business administration. While he was working on his education he was also employed at the Children’s Hospital in Detroit, MI.
During his seven-year tenure there, Dr. Hill rose from maintenance to admittance then to the credit department and finally on to management. He later received a master’s degree and doctoral degree of divinity from Friends International University.
Dr. Hill is the founder/director of Youth on the Move, USA, Inc. He is also an author, with books entitled “Life Without Limits,” “Daddy Talk” and “Yes You Can Win.”
Also in attendance was State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.
Thurmond spoke at the beginning of the event and recognized CSUB, giving the young men advice for becoming leaders and their futures.
“Racial injustice screams for change in our system. You are being recruited to be academic leaders,” he said. “As you think about what you are going to do in your future, I want you to think about how, at this inflection point, you becoming a teacher can allow you to do powerful things for our young people: to make a difference for them, to ensure that they graduate, that they get some postsecondary education, maybe go on to college, but that they don’t drop out of school and that they don’t end up in our criminal justice system.