About Us

At hundreds of colleges across the country, Black Faculty & Staff Associations (BFSAs) are strong and respected employee advocacy and resource organizations. Born out of pain and struggle, these groups have been responsive to discriminatory barriers in the workplace for decades.


Specifically, the LATTC BFSA established 50 years ago with only a handful of employees, courageously confronted and worked against barriers that hindered equal opportunities in the workplace. Well versed in contract negotiations and conflict resolution, members brought their seats to the table by initiating policy recommendations, requesting harassment and discrimination training, creating channels where employees felt safe speaking up about racial issues, and immersing themselves in campus and district governance committees. In addition to teaching students, they also had to protect themselves and their livelihoods and help make it easier for African American employees coming after them.


During its tenure, the BFSA has established mutually respectful and strong bridges with many individuals and entities throughout the history of the organization. Our name and brand, shared by thousands of colleges and universities across the country, bring with it, our core values and is a reflection of a strong heritage, established by our predecessors and living legends, such as City College’s Mary Crockett, Henry Ealy, and Mattie Moon. Independent, nonpartisan and funded by dues-paying members, BFSA is one of LACCD’s oldest and most respected organizations.

Mission


The mission of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) is to be a visible and viable agency dedicated to supporting employment equity and professional excellence, leadership, and development of African American faculty and staff (and administrators) of the District by:


  • Advocating for fair hiring, promotion, and retention practices

  • Encouraging professional excellence and growth through mentorship and networking opportunities

  • Creating, cultivating and maintaining a sense of community and a safe space to speak

  • Enhancing morale, self-esteem, and cultural identity by recognizing and celebrating accomplishments, contributions, and milestones through culturally-inspired celebrations and activities

Our Logo

The LATTC BFSA logo is a black and white rounded square that has “Los Angeles Community College District” written in the border. In the inside is the Adinkra symbol, Funtunfunefu Denkyemfunefu (click on link for pronunciation). The Adinkra symbols were originally designed by “Asante” Craftsmen of Ghana, West Africa. They embody non-verbal communicative and aesthetic values, as well as the way of life of the people who designed them. The symbols are usually printed on cotton fabric to produce “Adinkra cloths,” which may be worn on such celebrative occasions as child naming, community durbars and funerary rituals.


Funtunfunefu Denkyemfunefu is a Ghanaian symbol that is literally translated to mean “Siamese crocodiles.” The symbol shows two conjoined crocodiles, which symbolizes democracy and cooperation. While normally being independent creatures, the crocodiles are forced to work together and unite in order to survive. The symbol also represents unity among diversity.