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Center of Black Student Excellence

Center of Black Student Excellence
Center of Black Student Excellence

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Sankofa Celebration

 

Black Student Achievement Initiative

Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) has made considerable strides toward excellence and equity throughout the district. The Black Student Achievement Initiative (BSAI) launched in 2021 and offers a range of programs that support liberatory environments and aim to improve outcomes for Black students and families within the district.

Black Graduation 2025

 

Center of Black Student Excellence

Center of Black Student Excellence Purpose Statement

The LBUSD Center of Black Student Excellence serves as a beacon for Black student success, dedicated to uplifting, nurturing, and empowering Black students.  Rooted in Sankofa, collective striving, and community partnership, the Center is committed to elevating Black history, culture, and innovation to help students thrive personally, socially, and academically. We create an environment that adapts to the needs of Black students and fosters their ability to be resilient advocates for themselves and their community through leadership development, mentorship, and deeper learning. 

Videos

Center of Black Student Excellence

Black Literary Society Video

Sankofa Summer Academy

Contact the CBSE: (562) 366-2245

Hours of Operation:
8AM-4:30PM Monday-Friday

Address:
1022 E. Market St, Long Beach, CA 90805
(On the corner of Market & Olive)

CBSE Brief

First page of the PDF file: Learnings-Brief-LBUSD

Click the image above to view full .PDF

10 Elements of Black Excellence

Learnings-Brief-LBUSD-New (PDF)

Click the image above to view Full Size

Center of Black Student Excellence Calendar

November 2025
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Sunday, October 26
Monday, October 27
BSAI/CBSE Calendar Lindbergh YBS Meeting
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BSAI/CBSE Calendar High School Drop In Counseling Support
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Tuesday, October 28
BSAI/CBSE Calendar First Quarter Ends
All Day
BSAI/CBSE Calendar Roots & Wings: A Weekly Empowerment Circle for Black Youth
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Wednesday, October 29
BSAI/CBSE Calendar Sankofa Village Diaogues
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Center of Black Student Excellence: 1022 E. Market St., Long Beach, CA 90805 (on the corner of Market&Olive)
Thursday, October 30
BSAI/CBSE Calendar Social & Emotional Learning Programming K-5
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Friday, October 31
Saturday, November 1
BSAI/CBSE Calendar Sankofa Saturdays
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Addams Elementary School, 5320 Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90805, USA
Sunday, November 2
Monday, November 3
BSAI/CBSE Calendar High School Drop In Counseling Support
-
Tuesday, November 4
Wednesday, November 5
Thursday, November 6
BSAI/CBSE Calendar Social & Emotional Learning Programming K-5
-
Friday, November 7
Saturday, November 8
BSAI/CBSE Calendar Sankofa Saturdays
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Addams Elementary School, 5320 Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90805, USA
BSAI/CBSE Calendar Demo Chicks: S.T.E.M Program for Black girls
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1022 E Market St, Long Beach, CA 90805, USA (Parking lot on the Corner of Market and Olive)
Sunday, November 9
Monday, November 10
BSAI/CBSE Calendar Lindbergh YBS Meeting
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BSAI/CBSE Calendar High School Drop In Counseling Support
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Tuesday, November 11
Wednesday, November 12
BSAI/CBSE Calendar Hamilton Middle School: Sankofa Parent Meeting
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1022 E Market St, Long Beach, CA 90805, USA (Parking lot on the corner of Market and Olive)
Thursday, November 13
BSAI/CBSE Calendar Social & Emotional Learning Programming K-5
-
Friday, November 14
Saturday, November 15
BSAI/CBSE Calendar CANCELLED! Sankofa Saturday: Classes will return 11/22/25
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Addams Elementary School, 5320 Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90805, USA
BSAI/CBSE Calendar HBCU Ambassadors: Student Group Meeting RM#43
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BSAI/CBSE Calendar Delta Academy & Gems Community Meeting
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Lindbergh Middle School, 1022 E Market St, Long Beach, CA 90805, USA
BSAI/CBSE Calendar Delta Academy & Gems Community Meeting RM# 46
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Lindbergh Middle School, 1022 E Market St, Long Beach, CA 90805, USA
Sunday, November 16
Monday, November 17
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Lindbergh YBS Meeting
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Tuesday, November 18
Thursday, November 20
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar CANCELLED! Rescheduled to 11/20/25 Sankofa Parent Village Meeting
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Teacher Resource Center - Long Beach Unified School District, 1299 E 32nd St, Signal Hill, CA 90755, USA
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Sankofa Parent Village
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Teacher Resource Center - Long Beach Unified School District, 1299 E 32nd St, Signal Hill, CA 90755, USA
Friday, November 21
Saturday, November 22
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Sankofa Saturday
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Addams Elementary School, 5320 Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90805, USA
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Social-Emotional Community Workshop Saturdays
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1022 E Market St, Long Beach, CA 90805, USA (On the corner of Market & Olive)
Sunday, November 23
Monday, November 24
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Lindbergh YBS Meeting
-
Tuesday, November 25
Wednesday, November 26
Thursday, November 27
Friday, November 28
Saturday, November 29
Sunday, November 30
Monday, December 1
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Lindbergh YBS Meeting
-
Tuesday, December 2
Thursday, December 4
Friday, December 5
Saturday, December 6
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Sankofa Saturdays
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Addams Elementary School, 5320 Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90805, USA

Contact Us - Phone: (562) 366-2245

Dr. Norma Spencer
Director, Center of Black Student Excellence 
562-366-2242


Dr. Norma Spencer serves as the Director of the Center of Black Student Excellence. In this role, she is dedicated to advancing the academic, personal, and professional success of Black students across the community. The mission of the Center is to foster an environment where Black students, families, and the community are supported, empowered, and inspired to achieve excellence at every stage of the educational journey.

Working alongside committed partners, educators, mentors, community leaders, and families, Dr. Spencer leads efforts to create lasting change by addressing the unique challenges faced by Black students. Through tailored academic support, college and career readiness programs, leadership development, and community engagement, the Center ensures that every student has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

At the heart of the Center’s work is the belief in the power of collaboration. Dr. Spencer emphasizes that community support and involvement are essential as, together, we uplift and empower the next generation of leaders.

Ms. Jamilah Jackson
Site Specialist for the Center of Black Student Excellence


Ms. Jamilah Jackson serves as the Site Specialist for the Center of Black Student Excellence, where she plays a vital role in supporting both the Center and the broader community. Her work is rooted in a deep commitment to ensuring that programs and initiatives run smoothly, with a focus on creating welcoming, affirming spaces for students, families, and community partners. Ms. Jackson provides essential coordination for events, manages communication and logistics, and ensures that the vision of the Center is brought to life through planning and collaboration with our community.

Dr. Pamela Lovett
Excellence & Equity Coordinator
Phone: 562-366-2246

Dr. Elyssa Taylor-Stewart
Administrator, Community Engagement
Phone: 562-366-2240

Dr. Dayna Belvin
Administrator of Social Emotional Wellness
Phone: 562-366-2241

Mr. Gerald Brown
Teacher on Special Assignment 
Middle School Program
Phone: 562-366-2253

Mr. Jonah Magee
HBCU College & Career Coordinator
High School Program
Phone: 562-366-2243

Mr. Jonathan Evans
Counselor on Special Assignment,
High School Programs
Phone: 562-366-2244