Last week, our SOH scholars completed the first “Thinking Lives Matter” lecture series, an eight week course on civics, politics and self-empowerment through a community partnership between the Mervyn M Dymally Institute at California State University Dominquez Hills (CSUDH). This Rites of Passage program offers young people advanced knowledge of higher education options and lessons in civic engagement and electoral power to strengthen their voice. Scholars completed the eight-week course on CSUDH’s campus and received a $2,500 fellowship stipend.

The cohort of 12 had great things to say about the program, such as feeling they learned more than they anticipated about their life and exposure to higher education. Half of the cohort reported that college or an advanced training program was their next step to obtaining a credential that will increase personal development and earning power.

There will be a new “Thinking Lives” cohort in spring 2023.