Ki’donyae Bell is Making an Impact Through Community

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. As we celebrate a century of honoring Black achievement and culture, we also recognize the impact Black students, staff and faculty make every day across SJSU's campus. This series of articles shines a light on their achievements and the ways they help make San José State a more vibrant, welcoming and empowering place to be.

When Ki'donyae Bell, '28 Management Information Systems, set foot on SJSU's campus for the first time, his main focus was finding community.

"As a Black student trying to go into a STEM career, I knew things were going to be challenging. So it was important to me to find a support system of like-minded people," says Bell.

Not only did he want to find a place where he belonged, but he also knew that he wanted to contribute toward building a positive community for other students at SJSU.

As a freshman, he joined the Black Student Union (BSE) and the Black Alliance of Scientists and Engineers (B.A.S.E.), both clubs that he had been active in as a high schooler. At the BSU, he took on the role of public relations intern and quickly became acclimated with the inner workings of the organization.

He also joined the New Black Spartan Institute, a mentoring program hosted by the Black Leadership Opportunity Center (BLOC) , where he was assigned a mentor, Elvin Carey IV, '27 Management Information Systems, who helped him navigate the first year of college.

"My mentor really helped me to get to where I wanted to be," says Bell.

Now, in his second year of college, Bell is serving on BSU's board as the director of outreach. He is also currently the vice president of engagement of the Residence Hall Organization, working to develop the SJSU housing community and to create a better sense of student advocacy and leadership. He helps plan and host events, and supports students who are living on campus.

Since Bell experienced residential life at Joe West Hall during his freshman year, he understands how important it is for students who live in on-campus housing to feel a sense of belonging.

"I stayed on the Black Scholars Floor my first year. It helped me find a better sense of connection and community," says Bell. "And a lot of friends I made in that themed community are the same friends I have today."

As far as Black role models, Bell mentioned that he learned a lot by watching his father in action.

"He taught me what it was like to live as a Black man in America - to be hardworking, caring and vulnerable," says Bell.

Bell also feels that the BLOC has been influential, as a hub for connection and a deepening of his overall college experience.

"The BLOC is such a welcoming place. I meet people who look like me; and I meet people from different perspectives and ethnicities. You feel welcomed and invited, and there are so many resources there. MyShaundriss [who works as the BLOC's program coordinator] is a great support system. She's the one who connected me to my mentor. She gives resources and helps out where she can. All of that trickles out to people and has a great effect - even more so than she might realize," says Bell.

He hopes that all the work he is doing to elevate the community around him and to support students will make an impact on campus, now and into the future.

"If I can shine bright enough, I know my shine is going to get to others as well. And they're going to shine bright too. So for me, it's about creating an impact for myself, and improving things for other people, so they can shine bright as well," says Bell.