Camarillo, Calif., Feb. 19, 2015—Actors Louis Gossett, Jr. and Richard Roundtree are scheduled to attend the CSU Channel Islands (CI) annual African American Achievement Award Luncheon on Friday, Feb. 27 in CI’s Grand Salon from 12 to 2 p.m.
Gossett, Jr., 78, is perhaps best-known for his role as the hard-boiled sergeant in the 1982 movie “An Officer and a Gentleman.”
Roundtree, 72, has been called “America’s first black action hero” for his starring role in the 1971 film “Shaft,” as well as the “Shaft” sequels.
The celebrities are there to honor local African American leaders who are not in the spotlight, but who move mountains behind the scenes.
“We want to recognize people who are trying to change Ventura County for the better,” said Motoko Kitazumi, coordinator of CI Intercultural Services, which sponsors the event. “We need to show our students how that is possible and within their reach.”
Retired educator Daisy Tatum, 70, is among nine African American leaders who will receive awards.
During her 38 years in the Oxnard Union High School District, she was principal of Oxnard, Frontier, Pacific View and Puente high schools.
Yet, when she asked her high school counselor to be included in college preparatory classes, her counselor discouraged her.
“She said ‘I don’t know why you want to take college prep classes. You’re just going to get married and have babies,’” Tatum said.
After Tatum graduated from the University of Arkansas with a master’s degree and became Ventura County’s first African American principal, Tatum dedicated herself to making sure all students could see a pathway to college—especially minority students.
“She’s not Oprah,” Kitazumi said. “But we wanted to recognize people who should be acknowledged for going beyond the job description and continue to be a positive role model within the community.”
The recipients were selected by a committee of 25 former award recipients who selected honorees who promote diversity, civic engagement, and educational leadership, among other achievements.
Oxnard Police Chief Jeri Williams, the keynote speaker, said she will share her experiences as a woman of color in a male-dominated profession.
“I didn’t have people trying to make my gender and ethnicity a deficiency, but there were some. I took that as a challenge to work harder and be their boss one day,” she said, adding: “Now they call me ‘Ma’am’.”
Channel Islands’ Contemporary Music Ensemble will be playing New Orleans-inspired music to go with the theme of the event. Musical selections will range from “A Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin and "C-Jam Blues" by Duke Ellington.
For additional information, contact Intercultural Services Coordinator Motoko Kitazumi at motoko.kitazumi@csuci.edu or call 805-437-3243.
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About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.