I’m in the middle of communicating with HS scholar interested in applying to Berkeley for Electrical Engineering.
I’ll let your minds run wild what I shared.
Let’s just say, students of color in different programs across different universities talk.

The hashtag #BlackInTheIvory was just a glimpse of experiences for Black folxs in academia too. This is an opportunity for leaders and academics to listen and learn. Maybe even pay those who shared their story for their time and labor to help educate.

I cannot in good conscience, encourage rising talent to consider institutions without knowing the history, and existing problems. Yes, I also share resources and programs. But it’s a major disservice to omit the realities of systemic oppression.

So if you’re following this thread and you think you have a program that’s welcoming and inclusive..check your faculty list? Is it a true representation of the population? And how is mentorship being supported and acknowledge for Faculty it Color working w/ Scholars of Color?

My undergrad experience was okay. But certainly was not great. However the current Director has made active efforts to listen and act in the last 3 years after they got the role. Enrollment in the program shot up, no surprise, when faculty, staff, and students are taken care of.

With respects to my above tweet about issues of systemic oppression in #HigherEd, it also is not my job or any other BIPOC job to raise awareness esp if we aint getting paid. This should be things recognized and addressed. Not given attn only when BIPOC feel safe enough to speak.