Black Excellence Collective (BEC)

ABOUT US

Formerly the African Ancestry Success Community formed in 2018, the Black Excellence College (BEC) continues to address the identified need of supporting African ancestry students in MUSD in their quest for academic excellence. The members consist of a MUSD board member, the Superintendent, administrators, and educators throughout the district.

OUR MEMBERS

Cheryl Jordan - Superintendent, MUSD
Herm Wilson - Special Education Teacher, Milpitas HS
Jonathan Payne - Principal, Calaveras Hills HS
Sean Anglon - Assistant Principal, Milpitas HS
Gina Sainten - Assistant Principal, Sinnott Elementary
Deanna Elzey - Principal, Weller Elementary
Julie Jones - Counselor, Milpitas HS

Chris Norwood - Board President, MUSD
Kevin Slavin - Principal, Curtner Elementary
Damon James - Assistant Superintendent, MUSD
Karisa Scott - Principal, MUSD Middle College HS
Julianna Flores - Assistant Principal, Spangler Elementary
Nicole Steward - School Linked Services Coordinator, MUSD
Vanessa Espitia - Coordinator ECE & Community Engagement

OUR PURPOSE

The Black Excellence Collective (BEC) strives to ensure an educational environment for our students of African ancestry that will instill a strong perception of themselves as scholars by cultivating culturally relevant activities for students and families while preparing them to rise to the rigors of career, college, and life.

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CONTACT INFORMATION

If you are interested in being a part of BEC,
Email: TBD​
Follow us on our TBD

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OUR PROGRAMS

TOVI PARENT CHAMPIONS

The purpose of the Parent ChampionTM Program is to increase college-going and academic achievement of students of African ancestry by working with both parents and school personnel to increase family engagement. The program uses a working text for teaching and reference: Be A Parent Champion: A Guide to Becoming a Partner with Your Child’s School, and is intentionally designed as an empowerment model of reflections, action steps, and building community.

BEC MENTORING

The BEC Mentoring Program will build community, instill leadership, and foster systems of support for our students of African ancestry. A high school student is paired with an elementary school student to build a mentor/mentee partnership, working on academic foundations and Habits of Success. Students are working together every other week, engaging in a wide range of activities: team building, art, games, and historical, cultural awareness.

Cultural Imperative Program

Select students of African Ancestry will be meeting one Saturday a month beginning in January of 2019 at the SJCC extension from 9am-12pm to discuss select readings and videos, attend field trips, and participate in other ways to engage students in this intensive study of culture. Outcomes: Greater cultural awareness, better critical thinkers, more conscientious consumers of media content, greater sense of civic and cultural responsibility.

Black Student Union Showcase

Students from the BSUs at Milpitas High and Calaveras Hills came together to create a night showcasing and celebrating African Ancestry. The performances included a variety of talents: dancing, singing, the reading of poetry, step routines, and a fashion show. It was a wonderful community night!

African Ancestry Awards Ceremony

Due the Covid-19 shelter-in-place, we will be sending certificates home to families and creating a video presentation to show our admiration for the award recipients instead of a in-person ceremony some. The awards ceremony is usually in the month of February. Families are encouraged to attend and it is usually open to the whole MUSD community.