"The institute wants to be a resource. We want to make these connections and to send the message that they are welcome."
On a recent morning at Brockton High School, a student walked in looking for information about someday attending 猎奇重口视频 State University.
Luckily, there to meet him was Angelo Lopes Barbosa, interim director of the Pedro Pires Institute for Cape Verdean Studies. He was on hand, occupying the office space BSU maintains at the high school, just in case something like this happens.
And, it often does.
鈥淚t鈥檚 part of our job to be able to connect with these students,鈥 Mr. Barbosa said later. 鈥淭he institute wants to be a resource. We want to make these connections and to send the message that they are welcome.鈥
Simply answering questions about BSU or helping students navigate the application process can make a big difference for these young people, he added. 鈥淲ith the proper help they鈥檙e more confident, and they are not afraid to ask questions,鈥 Mr. Barbosa added. This is especially valuable support for first-generation college students.
Working on behalf of the region鈥檚 underserved populations is only part of what the institute does. 鈥淏rockton is an important Cape Verdean space,鈥 Mr. Barbosa said. 鈥淚t represents the largest concentration in the area, so it鈥檚 natural for us to have a lot of good connections there.鈥
An example of this outreach is the recent BSU-sponsored trip to Cabo Verde taken by a dozen teachers from area K-12 schools, along with other city officials.
鈥淚t gives these teachers the opportunity to understand their students鈥 cultural backgrounds,鈥 Mr. Barbosa said. 鈥淭he experience was amazing, and when they came back, they made a proposal to go back again next year.鈥 So far, 20 area educators have signed on for that trip.
Another initiative in line with BSU鈥檚 commitment to racial justice is the creation of the Cape Verdean studies minor. With a focus on the island nation鈥檚 language, culture, history and education, the minor 鈥渃reates a space where people can speak and learn about these different issues,鈥 Mr. Barbosa said. A number of students have already enrolled in the minor.
The institute has also struck up key partnerships with Brockton officials, including the mayor鈥檚 office, the schools and other Cape Verdean organizations that operate in the city.
鈥淭he idea is to create a network that helps connect people to area resources and to also help young people who want to enroll at BSU,鈥 Mr. Barbosa said.
Much of the work the institute does has an organic racial justice element, he said.
鈥淏ecause of the nature of our work, one of the discussions we always have is about equity, representation and access,鈥 Mr. Barbosa said. 鈥淲e know this conversation is relevant and very important to the work we do.鈥