Oct. 21, 2024 - The Ventura County NAACP recently presented (海角社区CI) President Richard Yao with their Community Empowerment Corporate Award in
recognition of his commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and more.
Yao accepted the award on behalf of the University at the local NAACP鈥檚 Annual Freedom Fund Award Banquet, held on Oct. 12.
鈥淭his is especially meaningful to me in relation to what I鈥檝e seen as the maturing of our campus鈥 relationship with the Black community in our region,鈥 Yao said. 鈥淲hen I arrived at 海角社区CI in 2018, this relationship seemed to be forged through the impressive contributions of a few individuals on our campus rather than through authentic connection and collaborations by the University as a whole. In recent years, we鈥檝e been intentional in our efforts to strengthen this relationship, ensuring that good things are not just happening in pockets, but are embedded throughout the University.鈥
NAACP Ventura County Branch president Regina Hatcher-Crawford describes the banquet as more than a gathering, but a chance to celebrate the organization鈥檚 accomplishments, and the individuals in the community who have shared and advanced the NAACP鈥檚 values of justice, equality and positive change.
鈥淲e remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring political, educational, social and economic equality to for all,鈥 Hatcher-Crawford wrote as part of her President鈥檚 Message in the program. 鈥淎s we commemorate these significant milestones, we proudly celebrate who we are and the progress we have made together.鈥
Yao credited the local NAACP with helping the University strengthen relationships with groups like the Pinkard Youth Institute, the Community Advocacy Coalition, and local churches, adding how honored campus members are to be seen as a partner to the Ventura County NAACP.
As 海角社区CI continues to build relationships with the Black community in the region, Yao talked about the concept of a 鈥渃ircle of care,鈥 which the University hopes to help provide for Black students who enroll at 海角社区CI. It was a concept explained to him by 海角社区CI Director of Major Gifts Carrick DeHart, who felt that circle of care in his community when he was growing up as a young Black man.
鈥淭his is the metaphor he offers all of us who care about the dreams, goals and challenges of Black youth in our region,鈥 Yao said. 鈥淐arrick describes the elders in the Black community here in Ventura County as that circle of care, holding fiercely onto one another鈥檚 hands to keep it strong and whole, ensuring that it will not break when the challenges are many and the circle is stretched thin.鈥
鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to be a link in that circle of care,鈥 Yao added. 鈥淲e will strive every day to deserve our place in that circle.鈥