Skip To Main Content
Long Beach Downtown

Schools

Main Menu

Center of Black Student Excellence

Center of Black Student Excellence
Center of Black Student Excellence

Navigation

 

PeachJar Digital Flyers Logo

 

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)

PeachJar Digital Flyers Logo

 

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

March 2026
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Sunday, March 1
Monday, March 2
BSAI/CBSE Calendar Lindbergh YBS Meeting
-
Tuesday, March 3
Wednesday, March 4
Thursday, March 5
Friday, March 6
Saturday, March 7
Sunday, March 8
Monday, March 9
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Lindbergh YBS Meeting
-
Tuesday, March 10
Wednesday, March 11
Thursday, March 12
Friday, March 13
Sunday, March 15
Monday, March 16
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Lindbergh YBS Meeting
-
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Sankofa Parent Village Meetings
-
Teacher Resource Center - Long Beach Unified School District, 1299 E 32nd St, Signal Hill, CA 90755, USA
Tuesday, March 17
Wednesday, March 18
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Study Hall: CBSE College and Career Center
-
1022 E Market St, Long Beach, CA 90805, USA (Corner of Market and Olive)
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Financial Literacy Workshop
-
1022 E Market St, Long Beach, CA 90805, USA (On the corner of Market and Olive)
Thursday, March 19
Friday, March 20
Saturday, March 21
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Roots & Wings: Middle School
-
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Zeta Community Meeting: Amicettes
-
1022 E Market St, Long Beach, CA 90805, USA
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Zeta Community Meeting: Pearlettes
-
1022 E Market St, Long Beach, CA 90805, USA
Sunday, March 22
Monday, March 23
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Lindbergh YBS Meeting
-
Tuesday, March 24
Wednesday, March 25
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Study Hall: CBSE College and Career Center
-
1022 E Market St, Long Beach, CA 90805, USA (Corner of Market and Olive)
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Financial Literacy Workshop
-
1022 E Market St, Long Beach, CA 90805, USA (On the corner of Market and Olive)
Thursday, March 26
Friday, March 27
Saturday, March 28
Sunday, March 29
Monday, March 30
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Lindbergh YBS Meeting
-
Tuesday, March 31
Wednesday, April 1
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Study Hall: CBSE College and Career Center
-
1022 E Market St, Long Beach, CA 90805, USA (Corner of Market and Olive)
Subscribe to Calendar Alerts BSAI/CBSE Calendar Financial Literacy Workshop
-
1022 E Market St, Long Beach, CA 90805, USA (On the corner of Market and Olive)
Thursday, April 2
Friday, April 3

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