51萝莉

Dr. Ricky Shabazz rose from humble beginnings as the son of a high school dropout, graduating from the University of California Davis and eventually becoming president of San Diego City College.

But he faced challenges along the way, learning how to lead with humility and let his employees shine.

鈥淚t鈥檚 about listening more than you talk,鈥� he said. 鈥淎 lot of leaders don鈥檛 know how to get out of the way of the people on their team.鈥�

Inspiration filled the day at the Black and Brown Minds & Mattering Conference at 51萝莉 on Oct. 24, where Shabazz and other leaders of color shared their stories of success. Hemet artist Mariah Green closed the conference with her journey of turning life experiences into inspiration for her paintings and designs.

鈥淚 want all of you to feel like curators of your own lives,鈥� she said.

The event drew nearly 400 people including high school and college students, as well as community members for a day of workshops that focused on mentorship, mental health, empowerment, cultural intersections with hip hop and more.

The tribute band 512: The Selena Experience filled the Sports Center with the rhythmic sounds of Tejano as dozens of guests gathered in front of the stage to dance.

Devon Johnson, a junior at Los Osos High School who is in Chaffey鈥檚 dual enrollment program, felt inspired by Shabazz鈥檚 story.

鈥淗earing from people who look like me and seeing them in a bright light is inspiring,鈥� he said.

Chaffey Professors of Psychology Norma Leon and Maria Fitzpatrick co-presented to high school students about time management.

鈥淭he community can feel that they are represented in the purpose and what is covered in the conference,鈥� Leon said. 鈥淎 great majority of the students who come here are Latino and for their voices to be raised is important.鈥�

Kariana Jackson and Zuri Calderon from Ontario High School attended the 鈥淏lack Wall Street 101鈥� workshop led by De鈥橵on Truvel, learning about Tulsa鈥檚 Black Wall Street by playing his board game.

鈥淲e got to learn a history lesson while playing a game, so that was great,鈥� Jackson said.

Fatimah Khalfani-Bey, a radiologic technology major at Chaffey, attended the conference for the second year in a row. She鈥檚 hoping to transfer to a four-year university in the spring to continue her academic journey.

鈥淚t鈥檚 very important for Black and Brown students to see their people empowered and speaking,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t makes you feel like you can do it too.鈥�