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Long Beach Unified Opens Center of Black Student Excellence

  • In an initiative aimed at uplifting and enhancing the educational experiences of Black students, California’s Long Beach Unified School District recently launched the Center of Black Student Excellence.

    Located on the campus of Lindbergh Middle School, the Center will offer targeted resources and programming to close opportunity gaps and better support Black students' academic and cultural needs.

    At the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Center, Long Beach Schools Superintendent Jill Baker said that the Center is more than a milestone for the 63,000-student school district.Long Beach Unified School District Superintendent, Jill Baker at the Launch of the Center of Black Student Excellence

    “This is a direct answer to what students and the community have asked for,” said Baker. “To the community, you shaped the vision. Your hopes, dreams, and lived experiences brought the Center of Black Student Excellence to life.”

    Council of the Great City Schools Executive Director Ray Hart attended the opening ceremony and praised the initiative, calling it "a bold promise" to students and families. He stated, "Long Beach Unified is making a strong declaration: we are investing in our children from the beginning—nurturing their brilliance, celebrating their identities, and removing barriers that have existed for far too long."

    Following the opening, families and community members toured the Center, which features student artwork, inspirational quotes, and decorations that reflect and celebrate Black culture.

    The district credits its Black Student Achievement Initiative Advisory team as key contributors to the establishment of the Center, which will be led by Executive Director Norma Spencer, who brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in transformative educational leadership.The Center for Black Student Excellence

    In her previous roles, she has effectively analyzed critical data to tackle inequities in school practices, developed professional learning programs focused on diversity, inclusion, and equity, and significantly enhanced student academic achievement in numeracy and literacy across multiple schools. Under her leadership, schools have experienced a 29 percent increase in math proficiency and a 34 percent increase in literacy proficiency.