WSU Vancouver and WSU System Resources
Black People United Student Association is a student organization that centers community, advocacy, empowerment, joy and success for undergraduate and graduate students from across the diaspora of Black racial identity.
Space For Us: WSU Vancouver Black Staff and Faculty Association is an employee resource group committed to creating and sustaining a community of equity, belonging, connection, empowerment, joy, retention, support and opportunity to thrive for Black students, staff and faculty.
Support and Empowerment for Employees of Color Association is an employee resource group that nurtures a deeper sense of belonging, community, empowerment and visibility for faculty and staff of color.
The Social Hour is a space for faculty, staff and students of color. This is a space of community and support where you may show up, connect, interact, decompress and just be.
The Center for Intercultural Learning and Affirmation strives to cultivate an inclusive community where historically underserved students are affirmed and feel a sense of belonging.
Building a Community of Equity Program is a learning development program for students, staff, faculty and administrators. The BaCE program provides resources and tools to realize equity and belonging throughout the fabric of campus.
Office of Equity and Diversity provides strategic equity support, direction and leadership for strategic imperatives to realize equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging throughout the fabric of campus.
Councils and Committees on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Justice is a list of groups with a focus on building a community of equity, belonging and justice.
Undergraduate Courses with Emphasis on Diversity is a list of courses with a focus on diversity grouped by areas of focus. The list includes courses that satisfy UCORE requirements.
WSU Black Alumni Chapter reflects and fosters a strong positive image of the Black community, and facilitates future leadership skills while advancing the interests and promoting the welfare of WSU and its Alumni Association.
WSU Name Change Processes: This site provides instructions for students, staff and faculty members seeking to change their name and/or name in email across varying WSU functions. As an additional step for email name changes, be sure to also clear your email cache. Click here for directions on how to clear the autocomplete cache.
Resources in Southwest Washington, Portland and Beyond
Black-owned Businesses provides a listing of Black-owned businesses in Vancouver and beyond including food and drink, retail, spas and wellness, nonprofits and service-based companies.
Bookstores
Third Eye Books Accessories & Gifts is a proud 100% Black-owned and operated business with a vision to be the number one supplier of African-centered books, accessories and gifts in the Portland Metro area.
Entertainment
Acts on Stage is a theater dedicated to centering the creative talents, works and initiatives of people of color and faith.
Nate Jackson’s Super Funny Comedy Club is the only Black-owned comedy club in the Pacific Northwest and the ultimate destination for comedy lovers everywhere.
Hair Styling and Hair Care Products
Dean’s Beauty Salon and Barber Shop is Oregon’s oldest African American salon, in business since 1956. It provides styling of all hair types.
Divinity Salon has a mission to make sure your hair feels like you. Divinity Salon services all hair types. You will experience a serene, comfortable atmosphere where you will be pampered and treated with care.
Natural Hair and Extensions Hair has a passion for hair and it shows on every client who walks out of their doors.
Self-Care
Noir Lux Candle Co. is a Black-owned, woman-owned business that believes in self-care, good vibes and nostalgia.
Organizations
NAACP Vancouver is committed to improving and advocating for equal treatment and justice for all people.
The Noble Foundation is a nonprofit organization recognizing and centering the innate power within community.
Southwest Washington Equity Coalition promotes racial justice and creates a more equitable society in Southwest Washington through collective action, inclusion and collaboration.
African Youth Community Organization strives to strengthen a sense of cultural identity within immigrant communities while enhancing capacity toward integration and hope for the future.
Black American Chamber of Commerce is a community-based organization in Portland focused on helping make the world around us better.
Black Parent Initiative was established in 2006 to help families achieve financial, educational and spiritual success.
Black Resilience Fund is an emergency fund dedicated to healing and resilience by providing immediate resources to Black Portlanders.
iUrban Teen has a mission to see all historically excluded students succeed, not only in education programs but also in their long-term life goals.
League of Minority Voters was founded in 2007 to fight and promote the advancement of minority voters’ rights through education, empowerment and mobilization.
Portland Chapter NAACP ensures the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and works to eliminate racial hatred and discrimination.
Urban League of Portland has a mission to empower African Americans and others to achieve equality in education, employment, health, economic security and quality of life.
State of Washington Resources
Black Heritage Society of Washington State preserves the history and art of Black people of Washington State.
Blacks United in Leadership and Diversity is the Washington State BUILD Business Resource Group. It exists to improve the experiences of current and future Black employees, increase the representation of Black people in leadership positions, give voice to Black perspectives in policy decisions about Washington communities, and build each other up as we move forward.
Northwest African American Museum has a mission to spread knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of the histories, arts and cultures of people of African descent for the enrichment of all.
Washington State Commission on African American Affairs serves as the official state representative of the African American community—advising the Governor, Legislature and state agencies regarding policy development and implementation.
Washington State Office of Equity seeks to ensure that everyone in Washington has full access to the opportunities, power and resources they need to flourish and achieve their full potential and there is equity and justice for all, for the next seven generations and beyond.
National Resources
Blacks In Technology is a global platform for Black women and men in technology that stomps the divide by establishing standards for world-class technical excellence.
Black In The Ivory amplifies voices of “Blackademics” to speak truth about racism in academia. #BlackInTheIvory, created by @DrShardeDavis.
BlackPast is a reference center dedicated to providing great information to the general public on African American history and the history of more than one billion people of African ancestry around the world.
Center for Black Equity aims to improve the lives of Black LGBT individuals by improving economic equity, social equity and health equity.
Journal of Blacks in Higher Education is dedicated to the conscientious investigation of the status and prospects for African Americans in higher education.
NAACP is home of grassroots activism for civil rights and social justice.
National Black Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity within the U.S. and via interaction with the African diaspora.
National Black Justice Coalition is the U.S. leading national Black LGBTQ+ civil rights organization focused on federal public policy and the mission to end racism and homophobia.
National Coalition of 100 Black Women has a mission to develop leaders who will help rebuild their communities and redirect the energies of younger African Americans in those communities.
National Medical Association promotes the collective interests of physicians and patients of African descent.
National Urban League is a civil rights organization focused on the economic empowerment of underserved urban communities.
U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., through the creation of resources and initiatives, supports African American chambers of commerce and business organizations in their work of developing and growing Black enterprises.
100 Black Men of America has a mission to improve the quality of life and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans.