By The Cal State Long Beach chapters of the Black Business Student Association (BBSA), the National Society of Black Engineers and the Student African American Brotherhood held their 6th annual gathering Friday at The Pointe in The Walter Pyramid.
The event, called Sankofa, when roughly translated means bridging the gap between the past and present, was attended by about 150 people, including many former students from the engineering department, CSULB alumni, past presidents of the Black Business Students Association, faculty members and guest speakers.
The main focus was on continuing education, helping others reach their career goals and giving back to the community.
Dwayne Lewis, president of BBSA, said it’s important to continue your education beyond a bachelor’s degree.
“We have to become masters or doctors of our chosen profession so we can move past managerial positions and be a part of the decision-making process that takes place at the higher levels of the corporate world,” Lewis said.
Sandra Evers-Manly, vice president of Ethics and Diversity at Northrop Grumman Corporation, said it’s not enough just to go to work and pick up a paycheck. Manly said it’s important to give back to the community.
“I was raised on the L-word: love, listening and lifting others,” she said.
Manly also said it’s important to live life to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised.
“Don’t wait until you get to my age to help out in your community,” she said. “You can start now. Everything counts, no matter how small.”
Raymond Manning, owner and president of Manning Architects in New Orleans, recalled being the only student left out of a class of 50 at the end of an architectural program at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La.
Perseverance is important, Manning said, “When we began the class, the professor told us to look to the right and look to the left. The professor then stated that those people won’t be here at the end of the program.
“I made up my mind right then that I didn’t want to be one of those people.”
Manning also said he was trying point out the level of commitment and sacrifice that is needed in order survive in any endeavor, especially doing what you love to do.
“It was a great event and the best part was seeing all the successful alumni come back to speak. It was very inspirational,” said senior health care administration major Francisca Freeman.
