WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en-US 00:00:04.160 --> 00:00:08.720 So, MOCAN is known as the Men of Color Action  Network and this is a group of colleges that got   00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:13.760 together to advocate for our men of color, providing them mentoring and leadership   00:00:13.760 --> 00:00:18.640 services. So, today is really beautiful if you  look around... that we have so many people here   00:00:18.640 --> 00:00:24.560 that are here for MOCAN. I'm looking for some more  motivation and ambition and to keep on going to transfer. 00:00:24.560 --> 00:00:31.028 community colleges from all over Southern California are here and even some four-year programs are here. 00:00:31.094 --> 00:00:32.694 Four-year colleges are here. Everybody is here. 00:00:32.794 --> 00:00:37.227 I was talking to students from UC Riverside. His story is amazing. 00:00:37.326 --> 00:00:42.892 I met some students, some graduate students from USC. Met a lot of students from other schools. 00:00:42.892 --> 00:00:48.891 I met someone from Golden West College, Pasadena City College, someone from El Camino.  00:00:48.891 --> 00:00:54.423 Men of Color Action Network targets not just our students of color, 00:00:54.490 --> 00:00:58.000 male students of color, but also our professionals. And then we provide   00:00:58.000 --> 00:01:04.240 workshops for both sets of people. And really  the opportunity for us as colleagues to come   00:01:04.240 --> 00:01:09.520 together and support each other as well. And  so you know just by providing a space to   00:01:09.520 --> 00:01:16.800 build community and create a culture that  inspires students to succeed. We do things like   00:01:16.800 --> 00:01:20.080 at the end of the semester we're going to have a  barbecue for all our students. pretty much come   00:01:20.080 --> 00:01:23.920 and break bread and share knowledge with  each other. Things that are super important to   00:01:23.920 --> 00:01:28.240 the culture to things that are super important to  the world. Just a multitude of things that we've   00:01:28.240 --> 00:01:33.360 done. I got a a head shot. That was really cool.  Who hands out free head shot? Nobody. Previously,   00:01:33.360 --> 00:01:38.400 we had the Minority Male Initiative here on campus  to help uh our male minority males look to succeed   00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:42.720 on campus because historically most men of color  are not coming to college or not succeeding at   00:01:42.720 --> 00:01:49.120 the same rate as others on campus. ...in outcome  areas such as enrollment, completion,   00:01:49.120 --> 00:01:54.720 retention. We are committed and we will do the  work that we need to do to improve the probability   00:01:54.720 --> 00:01:59.520 for them to succeed. And to hopefully close  some of those equity gaps that we're seeing across   00:01:59.520 --> 00:02:03.760 the state. Show our men of color that we can't  be successful, that we can't get masters degrees,   00:02:03.760 --> 00:02:08.400 that we can't get doctorates. And being in this  environment, I'm seeing people that look like me   00:02:08.400 --> 00:02:13.440 getting their doctorate. I met like three people  already that are getting are literally getting   00:02:13.440 --> 00:02:18.000 their doctorate this summer. And I'm like,  whoa, this is awesome. Believing in themselves,   00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:24.240 a reminder that they could achieve any dream  they aspire to achieve. So to just promote a   00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:29.040 space where men can feel vulnerable and feel  supported. So like what I believe for myself   00:02:29.040 --> 00:02:35.600 is possible. It's actually possible. But be bold  enough to like express myself and be comfortable   00:02:35.600 --> 00:02:41.280 in that. I feel like I'm able to bring like myself  and my authentic self to campus every day. I think   00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:47.200 it's just amazing that you kind of have all these  organizations that span all this identification,   00:02:47.200 --> 00:02:54.160 but this one is broad enough to capture everybody.  I love the program. It was amazing the energy. I   00:02:54.160 --> 00:02:59.600 have attended some other uh college uh conferences  as well at other colleges. I feel like this one's   00:02:59.600 --> 00:03:05.040 the best. There was a scholarship prior to  the event and I submitted my application. So,   00:03:05.040 --> 00:03:13.200 I'm looking forward to seeing the results. I  wrote an essay and yeah, I've won the $500. (cheering) 00:03:13.200 --> 00:03:17.600 Thank you. When I need a little push,  it pushes me. When I need a little pull,   00:03:17.600 --> 00:03:22.080 I extend my hand. They pull me forward. And I feel  like one of these initiatives is a great way for   00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:26.880 all of us to come together. So we do our MOCAN  Mondays where we have spaces where either we host   00:03:26.880 --> 00:03:31.600 like barberhop talks, kind of healing circles  for our men of color. You start understanding   00:03:31.600 --> 00:03:35.840 that oh these people are cool, these people are  trying to help me. These people want the best   00:03:35.840 --> 00:03:39.120 for me. These people are trying to push me.  I don't know if privilege is the right word,   00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:44.080 but it's for sure a benefit being  lucky enough to be here at Mt SAC.