Cal State San Bernardino’s Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) Chapter sent a delegation of 12 students and two advisers to the SAAB National Conference held April 6-7 in Atlanta. President Tomás D. Morales and Vice President of Student Affairs Brian Haynes also accompanied the delegation.

With the national conference theme of “Destined, Determined and Dedicated: A True Journey to Success!” the CSUSB students traveled to Atlanta with the university’s motto, “We Define the Future,” as their mindset. Students said they were excited about the information they would gain to bring back to the university.  

The students had dinner with Morales and Haynes when they arrived at the conference site, which gave them the opportunity to discuss issues on campus and strategies for students to be successful in and out of the classroom.

The conference started April 6 with breakout sessions  tailored for students along with keynote speakers addressing topics that impact students’ lives. Morales participated in a special presidential panel during the conference with three other university presidents and a guest moderator.

The students also participated in fireside chats to network with their peers. The student attendees provided a reflection paper of the information they learned at the conference.

In addition, the student leaders visited The King Center, which houses the King Library and Archives of source material on the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the American Civil Rights movement. The students said the visit was particularly impactful because just a few days before, April 4, marked the 50th anniversary of King’s assassination in Memphis, Tennessee. They also visited Ebenezer Baptist Church where King delivered his first sermon.

On the last night of the conference, the CSUSB SAAB Chapter was recognized with the presentation of a plaque for hosting the SAAB Regional Western Cluster Summit on Sept. 30, when all the SAAB western chapters gathered for a day at Cal State San Bernardino.

For more information, visit CSUSB Student African American Brotherhood.