On May 3, 2025, CSUSB hosted the second annual "Inland Empire People's History Conference," studying and honoring the distinctive histories of the Inland Empire region. As an anchor institution in the city of San Bernardino and the wider region, California State University San Bernardino has held this conference as a way to commemorate and engage in serious study of the IE, and to bring together leading scholars, artists, poets, public servants, community organizers, and more. Numerous faculty, staff, and students made the event possible, including our History Department's Professor Marc Robinson, Sociology's Professor José Muñoz, and others.

The first conference was held last year, partnering with other regional institutions. This spring, CSUSB faculty solidified this new tradition. Panels included a range of experts and emerging scholars, presenting their work on themes including warehouse activism, antifascist traditions, music and crafts, classroom education and museums, LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, mapping data, and much more. The presenters and the topics reflected the priorities of scholars, craft workers, history keepers, public servants, and activists in the region. Current students connected with faculty, alumni, and community partners in the gathering of over 200 people.

First-year Master of Arts in History student, Gustavo Alonso attended the conference and noted: "From learning about local histories, art, activism, music, or culture, the IE Conference truly encompasses some of the best cultural, social, and political experiences the Inland Empire has to offer. Conferences such as this one are vital for spreading awareness about local histories and demonstrate the importance of the IE region in the larger context of the nation. It is a place where scholars of equal interest can get together and spread their knowledge. At the same time, it is a place where everyone is welcome to learn more about the place they call home."

Professor Marc Robinson noted of the conference, “It was an honor to be one of the co-organizers of the IE Peoples History Conference. It was great and it had many highlights, but the conference keynote was especially memorable for me. One reason was that I was proud to be introduced by Viviana Alvarez, a CSUSB history alum, a former student of mine, and a current PHD student at the University of California Irvine. In addition, the keynote address featured four local poets, Casandra Lopez, Juanita Mantz, Isabel Quintero, and Romaine Washington, who all provided moving portraits of the Inland Empire with their words. It was a beautiful, moving, and wonderfully unconventional conference keynote.”

2025 MA in HIstory graduate, Randi Stoner presented her work at the conference in a paper title, "A Secluded Spot on a Side Road," which built on her MA thesis investigating the legal history of the region in the interwar years through the prism of a single entrapment case, focusing on homophobic policies and institutionalized bigotry in law enforcement and the legal system.

This is the beginning of a rich tradition, bringing hundreds of interested students, scholars, and regional partners! Find the conference page here, and look out for future events!