We are fortunate to be living during an exciting period of history, as we celebrate the first African-American president of the United States of America, President Barack Obama.  It is an appropriate time for us to rededicate ourselves to the mission of the Western Region Council on Black American Affairs (WRCBAA) -- the success of African American students, faculty, staff, and administrators in community colleges.  Yes, these are financially challenging times for many community colleges throughout the western region.  However, I urge you to remember that we are not strangers to difficult times.  We have lived through them in the past and will do so again.  I encourage us to seek out and seize upon new opportunities that these times will undoubtedly present.  Let us continue our commitment to the WRCBAA as we ride this new wave of momentum, identifying creative funding sources for scholarships and professional growth opportunities, providing leadership development workshops and conferences and support services which aid in the success of students, faculty and staff.

William H. Crawford III

WRCBAA President

During a recent graduation commencement address by President Obama he urged the graduates not to rest on their laurels.  He commended them for having achieved a remarkable milestone in their life, but reminded them that they have much more work to be done and many more milestones to achieve.  Similarly, I believe the WRCBAA has much more work to do.  As some of us prepare for retirement in the not to distant future, we need to make sure that we have created a pipeline for those that will follow us.  As students struggle to find resources to pursue higher education, the WRCBAA must remain committed to assisting them.  As our colleagues wrestle with complex and challenging issues, we need to be supportive.  In brief, the WRCBAA has many more milestones to achieve.

On behalf of the WRCBAA Board of Directors I invite you to join the organization and assist in finding solutions for the challenges and issues faced by the community college system.

Regards,

Bill