Sade Johnson, Program Director

Sade was born and raised by her parents in Madera, California and is a wife and mother. She has ten siblings and a host of local family members. She received her BA in African American studies with a minor in mathematics from the University of California, Davis, and her Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Leadership at Fresno State. Sade resonates with the identity of a first-generation, low-income, system-impacted, Black student. She is determined to see more Black students graduate along with their peers and use their top-quality education to transform the world.

 

Seven Nicole, Program Coordinator 

Seven Nicole is an Ohio native with a strong background in social activism and pragmatic programming. She earned her Associate of Arts degree from Lorain County Community College, and her Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies from The College of Wooster. Over the past year, she has served as the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Program Fellow at Oberlin College & Conservatory, where she received the Community Impact Award for her commitment to building community care, resources, and support structures for Women of Color. Seven is driven to not only create a safe space where Black students can flourish, but to support and identify critical programming to achieve these goals. 

 

Curtis Witherspoon, Administrative Support Coordinator 

Curtis Witherspoon was born and raised in Long Beach, CA. He has three siblings, a host of nieces and nephews, a fiancé, and a son. He received his B.S. in Justice Studies from Arizona State University. He is the administrative support coordinator for the Black Student Success Initiative. He recently transitioned from his old role at the Craig School of Business, where he worked for the Accountancy Department. Shortly after transferring to BSSI, Curtis found that his work was impactful, as he could directly interact with and help students through BSSI’s departmental programming and student support resources. 

 

Dr. De Anna Reese, Faculty Director

Dr. Reese is a Full Professor in History and Africana Studies at Fresno State. She was part of the team led by Dr. Jenelle Pitt-Parker that created the Black Student Success Initiative (BSSI) at Fresno State in 2021. She has more than a decade of student success work experience related to her faculty role with a focus on initiatives and activities aimed at promoting and supprting Black student success on campus. Among her primary duties as the Faculty Director of BSSI are the collection, analysis and assessment of data related to identifying barriers to Black student success and implementing culturally relevent interventions to address them. Dr. Reese's "pearls of wisdom" include encouraging student to be persistent, believe in themselves, and stay open to new opportunities.

 

Scholar Apprentices

Chayil Goree, Scholar Apprentice 

Chayil Goree is a dedicated 20-year-old senior at Fresno State University, pursuing her passion for community service and leadership. She holds three Associate Degrees in Law, Public Policy and Society, Paralegal Studies, and Education. A natural leader, Chayil actively seeks out high leadership roles, demonstrating her commitment to empowering others and making a positive impact in her community. Chayil chose Fresno State for its supportive and family-like environment, where faculty and staff are genuinely invested in student success. She appreciates the determination of the Fresno State community to help students achieve their goals. Graduating in Spring 2025, Chayil plans to attend law school to become a family attorney, where she aims to advocate for families and strengthen communities.

 

Paris Martinez, Graphic Designer 

Paris Martinez is from Fowler, California and is currently in the process of completing her BFA in Graphic Design here at Fresno State, maintaining her position in the Illustration track. She holds a great amount of experience in art and graphic design. As a contemporary artist, one of her greatest accomplishments is painting the world’s largest clam, the 9-foot Clam Statue in Pismo, California. Paris has earned a certification of Art & Design from the Fresno Regional Occupational Program in 2022 and has also earned the Ina Gregg Thomas Memorial Art Scholarship for the 2024/2025 academic year. Paris strives to create graphics for all people, uplifting and encouraging students as a part of BSSI. Graduating in Spring 2026, Paris plans to become a graphic designer for a well-known makeup brand and a freelance designer for her own business.

 

Chase Davis, Scholar Apprentice

Chase Davis is a second year student who majors in Mass Communications with an emphasis on broadcast journalism. Having already done two internships already, one in the Fresno State sports department and the other as a production assistant. Chase has already started to take a step towards his desired career field. He has also received the Stanley Steemer Beaubaire Memorial Scholarship for journalism. In the future he plans to become a solutions journalist after graduating May 2027.

 

 

Haley Espinoza, Scholar Apprentice 

Haley Espinoza is a dedicated senior at Fresno State majoring in Psychology. A driven student-athlete on the Women's Soccer team and an active Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative, Haley is passionate about fostering positive relationships and supporting her teammates and peers. Known for her genuine care and enthusiasm for helping others, she embodies leadership both on and off the field. Set to graduate in Spring 2025, Haley plans to pursue graduate studies in School Psychology, committed to enhancing students' ability to learn and thrive academically and personally.