BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — The Bakersfield City School District welcomed more than 100 young African American students and their families Thursday night for its first Little Black Scholars, Big Dreams event, an invitation-only gathering designed to help students feel connected and supported from the start of their education.
The Bakersfield City School District held its “little Black Scholars, Big Dreams” event on Thursday. KBAK/KBFX
The inaugural event was held July 30, 2026, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the BCSD Education Center. It focused on newly enrolled African American preschool, transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students and their families.
The district said the event grew out of a yearlong review of student achievement, attendance and engagement data, along with listening sessions about student experiences. District leaders said a consistent message emerged: some African-American students did not always feel a strong sense of belonging.
“We found through our interviews is that some of our African American students didn’t always feel seen,” said Rolanda Tyler with BCSD.
BCSD serves nearly 28,000 students, with about 7% identifying as African American.
State academic data also reflect challenges for African American students in the district. According to the California School Dashboard, African American students in BCSD are within the red performance level in English language arts and within the orange performance level for mathematics. The data also show a high suspension rate for African American students, with about 8.5% suspended for at least one day.
“It’s so important for all of our students to feel welcome, to be seen, feel valued,” Tyler said. “We know that you have tremendous potential, and we want to be able to help them explore that.”
Bakersfield City School District FILE
Tyler said the district invited its youngest learners to take part as a way to build early connections with families and help students see themselves reflected in their school community.
“It’s actually an event for a passport to possibilities,” Tyler said.
Students received a backpack and a “Passport of Possibilities” and rotated through career-themed activities and informational booths. The district said students met community leaders and connected with local organizations, including Valley Strong and Inspired Me.
One young student summed up his excitement about the new school year: “I’m excited about learning, and learning numbers and stuff.”
Tyler said the district hopes the event helps students build confidence and that the encouragement carries into the school year.
The Bakersfield City School District held its “little Black Scholars, Big Dreams” event on Thursday. KBAK/KBFX
“We are hoping that this will not only inspire them to expand their horizons in the things that are to come in their dreams, but also, we want this to translate to the classroom,” she said.
BCSD said it hopes to continue building on the event in the years ahead as part of its broader effort to support students from the very start of their education.