Compton, California, is my home and was founded on May 11, 1888. People have all kinds of negative things to say about Compton, but it’s a place that many people, including myself, are proud of. Not many people knew or cared about us until we started producing some of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time (please don’t come at me, my East Coast friends). I am so proud of who we are: diverse, proud, unique, and making an impact in the world in a way that is authentic and unapologetically Compton.
Kendrick Lamar is the perfect example of what makes Compton special. The look on our graduates’ faces today and the energy in the room when he made a surprise appearance at our 2024 Compton College Commencement Ceremony is indescribable. He is, by all accounts, at the very top of his career right now, and yet he still remembers where he came from. I can say we (and I mean everyone in that room) were incredibly moved by his speech. His presence is something I know our graduates and their families won’t soon forget.
Leaders, whether from the world of hip-hop or in higher education, must remain true to themselves and their work. At Compton College, we are currently at the pinnacle of our success, but this was not always the case. I can share personal examples from my journey. The key is to hold fast to your vision and beliefs, regardless of the circumstances. This unwavering commitment is what sets you apart and leads to success.
In April 2011, members of my community didn’t fully support me at the beginning of my tenure. They said I “[had] no executive-level experience and only received his doctorate in the last year.” Ten years later, I received a vote of no confidence. They said we had a “decade-long leadership problem of mismanagement that has put Compton College in peril” because of our enrollment declines. Yet, individuals seem to forget your many successes as a leader, including the fact that we weren’t an accredited college ten years ago. By the way, in the last two years, we have experienced an enrollment increase; as of yesterday, June 6, 2024, enrollment for summer 2024 was up by 21%.
I share these stories because I want leaders to know the opposition will always be there. But it’s your resilience, unapologetic stance, and steadfast belief in your vision and values that will carry you through. Surround yourself with people who will help make your vision a reality. If you can build bridges, do it. If you can’t, you can’t let them kill your vibe. No matter what you do, there will always be people who will say you’re not good enough. But remember, it’s your resilience that will prove them wrong.
In closing, this week, I saw one of our students, a mother of four children and her partner, at the 2nd Annual Raza Celebration, who walked across the commencement stage this evening to receive her degree. She has been working toward this for so long, and she finally made it happen. She did it. And in her success, she is changing the narrative for generations, a ripple effect that touches every part of her children’s lives. THIS is the vision. THIS is what we are working for. Our students need unapologetic leaders, especially our students of color. Be who they need you to be and forget everything else. If you’re there for these students, you may fall, but you will never fail.