Alvord Unified School District and Riverside City College Host Umoja Day to Celebrate Culture, Community, and Student Success

Riverside City College (RCC), in partnership with Alvord Unified School District, proudly hosted Umoja Day, a powerful celebration centered on community, cultural connection, and the academic success of African American students. The event welcomed Alvord students to campus for a day of engagement, mentorship, and exposure to college pathways grounded in the values of Umoja: unity, collective responsibility, and empowerment.

Throughout the day, students participated in interactive workshops, heard from RCC faculty and staff, and connected with current Umoja students who shared their experiences navigating higher education. Umoja Day serves as a bridge between K–12 and college, reinforcing RCC’s commitment as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and Black-Serving Institution to foster belonging and equity for all students.

“This day is about more than exposure. It is about affirmation,” said Herb English, Dean of Counseling and Special Programs at RCC. “When students see themselves reflected in spaces of higher education, it transforms what they believe is possible. Umoja Day creates that space, reminding students that they belong here and that their success is not only supported, but expected.”

“Umoja Day reflects the power of partnership and intentional support systems,” said Adrienne Grayson, Ed.D., Associate Dean of Educational Partnerships at RCC. “By connecting students early to resources, mentorship, and a strong sense of community, we are helping to build clear and achievable pathways to college and career success.”

“This work is about community scaffolding, access, and culturally responsive support resources—helping students know they belong before they begin making college choices,” said Shawna BuShell, Ed.D., Dean of Distance Education at Riverside Community College District. “Many of these students will be online learners, so it is important they feel connected to the campus community, resources, and support services before their educational journey begins.”

RCC’s Umoja program continues to be a leading model in the state, offering culturally responsive support, mentorship, and academic resources designed to increase retention and success among Black and African American students. Events like Umoja Day reinforce the college’s ongoing commitment to building strong educational pipelines and uplifting the next generation of scholars and leaders.

For more information about RCC’s Umoja program, visit www.rcc.edu.