Black History Month campaign graphic

The 11th annual Pioneer Breakfast honored community members, campus partners, and student scholarship recipients on Feb. 23 at the Santos Manuel Student Union North. Hosted by the Black Faculty, Staff and Student Association, the Pioneer Breakfast is a premier event in Cal State San Bernardino’s Black History Month celebration. This year, more than 350 guests attended the longstanding campus tradition.

CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales provided welcome remarks, during which he shared the significance of the Pioneer Breakfast, as well as the positive impact it has had in students’ lives at the university.

“The Pioneer Breakfast honors the accomplishments of Black Americans who have made an impact at Cal State San Bernardino by demonstrating a passion for students, exemplifying a commitment to CSUSB, exhibiting professionalism, and exuding a positive attitude towards college and the campus community, and I would also include the larger community of San Bernardino and Riverside counties,” said Morales.

“This year’s theme is a ‘A Tapestry of Time: Celebrating Our Enduring Legacy,’” said Morales. “Today’s proceeds will go toward future scholarships for our current CSUSB students. Over the past decade, this event has awarded more than 400 scholarships and continues to be an inspiration to our current students and future generations we have yet to know.”

In addition, proceeds from the Pioneer Breakfast will support the annual Black Graduation recognition ceremony.

Voices of Unity music group
Musical group Voices of Unity sing the Black national anthem at the Pioneer Breakfast.

“This event is also an opportunity to bring the campus and community together to highlight our Black scholar leaders and celebrate individuals who are making a difference,” said Morales.

The Pioneer Breakfast serves as a fundraiser for student scholarships. Seven scholarships were awarded at the breakfast with 12 CSUSB student recipients:

  • Dr. Mildred Henry Scholarship: Prashant Ashokbhai Gokhale
  • John Overton Scholarship: Chanelle Marie Jones
  • Belva Holder Scholarship: Anita Nneoma Ntiasagwe
  • Terrilynn Monette Scholarship: Diamond Raynae Griffin
  • Dr. Jean Peacock & Walter Hawkins Scholarship: Kudakwashe Jonah Magwenzi
  • Felix Family Scholarship: Ryan Kamau Murimi
  • Lois Carson Scholarship: Autumn Hudson
  • Friends of John Futch Book Scholarship: Kelly Armstrong, Jamar Barnes, Demmo Zeleke, Alexus Sullivan, Kenya Doxie 
Corey Jackson
Pioneer Alumni Award recipient Corey Jackson addresses the audience and shares his story at the Pioneer Breakfast, "A Tapestry of Time: Celebrating Our Enduring Legacy.”

The event honorees were Cassandra Butcher (Emerging Leader Award), Patricia Nichols-Butler (Community Icon Award) and Maria Najera-Neri (Lorraine Frost Ally Award).

The Pioneer Breakfast also honored the following individuals with the Pioneer Award:

  • Assemblymember Corey Jackson: Pioneer Alumni Award
  • Dee Bowen: Pioneer Staff Award
  • Dale West: Pioneer Administrator Award
  • Audrey Matthews: Pioneer Faculty Award