The Frameworks that Guide Us
"Learning is a process where knowledge is presented to us, then shaped through understanding, discussion, and reflection." -Paulo Freire
The Black Thriving Initiative is centered on the following principles:
- Racial human hierarchy is a persistent societal belief that has caused immeasurable human suffering. This belief must be eliminated.
- High expectations, financial and personal investment, and accountability must be in place and prioritized.
- Curricular and co-curricular mapping and integration must be considered to avoid duplication, identify gaps in service, and ensure procedural efficiency and effectiveness.
- Ongoing equity, diversity, and inclusion growth and development opportunities must be provided to students, staff, and faculty.
We are fully committed to:
- Addressing the systemic conditions that create injustice
- Advancing racial justice, racial healing, and pro-Blackness
- Holding ourselves and others accountable
- Considering ideas that previously seemed impossible and taking risks
- Ensuring Cal Poly Pomona is a place where Black students, staff, and faculty can thrive
Four Agreements of Courageous Conversations
Stay Engaged
Expect and Experience Discomfort
Speak Your Truth
Expect and Accept Non-Closure
Frameworks
The framework inverts questions that are commonly asked about educational disadvantage, underrepresentation, insufficient preparation, academic underperformance, disengagement, and Black male student attrition.
Components:
- Navigating the educational matrix
- Sense of belonging
- Perceptions of (lack of) institutional support
- Living and learning at the margins while combating stereotypes
- Need for counterspaces and counternarratives