Brianna James is the Black Student Support Specialist at Cosumnes River College and coordinates all Black History Month events for the college.

James has always believed that an accepting community is a strong community, and she said that’s what she strives to create.

“A safe space where students can feel comfortable and be who they are because they are truly unique,” James said.

Nasiriyah Thompson, an 18-year-old interior architecture major, is part of the student circle for the Umoja Program.

Umoja is a program at CRC designed to support and increase academic success with a curriculum focused on African American and multicultural literature, history and experiences.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity that she has given me to work here for Umoja,” Thompson said. “She’s like a big sister to me and we bond over our passion for dance.”

James said her ambitions and passions for this role stem from her background in community work and local non profits.

She has been working toward this position for five years, and she takes great pride in the role.

“I’ve always wanted to get onto a college campus because sometimes, support for students stops after high school, and I want to be able to continue that forward into their lives as young adults,” she said.

As the Black Student Support Specialist, her day starts at 8:30 a.m.

“When I walk into my office, the first 30 minutes, I like to give myself a light moment, like checking my messages and giving myself a light sensory response, like smelling my flowers,” James said.

From there, her day consists of meetings, planning events and students seeking her guidance or counseling.

For James, success in her role means fostering connections with students and ensuring they always have a place where they feel at home.

“Every person is uniquely different, and sometimes it feels like there isn’t a place for you, but that’s what we want to create,” James said. “A place where you can be uniquely you, and most importantly, have fun while you’re at it.”

One of the biggest challenges James said she faces is knowing she can’t always help everyone, immediately.

“When students come to me with their everyday challenges and need support, sometimes every instance isn’t a one-and-done, and that’s the biggest challenge,” James said. “Not being able to help right away – but that’s where the connection comes in helping them throughout that time.”

When asked about her greatest strength in the role, James said the importance of adaptability.

“Proactive instead of reactive,” she said. “Instead of reacting to something when it happens, you should be proactive about what may happen so that you have something prepared.”

Joshua Ervin, a 20-year-old culinary arts major, is also a part of the Umoja program. He said often brings food and spends his off days to come and hang out with the community they’ve fostered.

“Ms. Brianna is a very bubbly person and is just great to be around,” Ervin said. “She’s very approachable, and to me, that’s her best trait.”

Her supportive and bubbly nature is evident in the way she encourages students to embrace their individuality.

“There are so many people in the world and we all have something that makes us unique,” James said. “I want to see that shine. So keep striving for what’s in your mind and heart, and trust me you’ll get there.”