Dear Friend --

Yesterday, Long Beach City College (LBCC) announced that they've been selected by philanthropist Mackenzie Scott to receive a $30 million gift to support their work on academic success and closing equity gaps.

This is a historic donation — the largest LBCC has ever received — and I want to congratulate Superintendent-President Mike Muñoz and the LBCC Board of Trustees for their work that led to this outstanding investment. The gift to LBCC will be prioritized for initiatives that will:

• Improve student academic outcomes by addressing racial equity gaps,
• Engage in racial equity-minded work that promotes an inclusive and affirming campus environment, and
• Increase holistic support services for our most vulnerable students

Long Beach City College has world-class instructors and staff who care deeply about the students they serve. As a former instructor and administrator at the college, I really care about what this will mean to current and future LBCC students.

As Mayor, I'm also so grateful for this amazing investment in such an important institution to the Long Beach community. It will transform what we can offer — especially to our students of color — and it will go to support the absolutely essential work of inclusion and equity that both the City of Long Beach and LBCC are committed to.

Congratulations again to the entire LBCC community. I’m excited to see all that will come from this incredibly generous gift.

Thank you and Go Vikings,

Mayor Robert Garcia