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July 1953 - Oakland Junior College is formed, comprised of Laney and Merritt campuses

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July 1953 - Oakland Junior College is formed, comprised of Laney and Merritt campuses

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1962 Origins of Merritt's African American Studies

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1962 Origins of Merritt's African American Studies

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Bobby Seale and Huey Newton meet while taking classes at Merritt. A lack of African American history in the curriculum inspired them to start a group advocating for African American Studies.

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Merritt College offers the first Black History course in the country in 1964

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Merritt College alumni Bobby Seale and Huey Newton, brother of Professor Melvin Newton at Merritt College form the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense

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Merritt College begins the first Afro American Studies Department, chaired by Professor Melvin Newton, Minister of Finance for the Black Panther Party and Huey Newton's brother

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1970 - Students fight to keep Merritt College in the flatlands

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1970 - Students fight to keep Merritt College in the flatlands

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Student surveys indicate 2 to 1 students want to keep Merritt College on Grove

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A group of 90 students demanding the campus remain under “community control” occupied the office of the college president for several hours and had to be forcibly removed by Oakland police.

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In response to radical activism, the campus was moved to a less accessible location in the Oakland Hills. It was hoped that it would neuter the Black Panther Party movement. Against student and community protests.

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Original Campus on Grove St (MLK) is officially closed and shuttered.

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Carol Baxter hands off the COSER Substance Abuse program to Associate Dean (Professor) Melvin Newton. Originally taught West Oakland Health Center on 27th and Adelide

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COSER was secretly moved onto Merritt College campus by Professor Newton and Dr. Bill Love

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Affirmative Action and Affinity Group (90s)

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Affirmative Action and Affinity Group (90s)

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Black Faculty, Staff and Admin across the Peralta District led an effort to implement affirmative action in hiring and student success and retention.

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Led by Eve Wallenstein. Disbanded after 2yrs due to retirements.

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To help undeserved communities pass English and Math. Initiatives included embedded tutors, training faculty.

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Founded by Ron Moss, former student turned faculty and Department Chair, UC Berkeley MSW graduate and chancellor award recipient. This program was FOR formerly incarcerated students BY formerly incarcerated students. Ron Moss was mentored by Dr. Bill Love.

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2015 Maximum Achievement Program (MAP) ends

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2015 Maximum Achievement Program (MAP) ends

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MAP was a successful program that was very successful at increasing the graduation rate for African American Males and low-income students. It had a leadership component. The college did not institutionalize it.

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Students now placed directly into college-level Math and English. Decreasing number of class offerings to justify hiring number of embedded tutors.

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SEA currently funds: Learning Comittees: Sankofa, Puente, FYE, counseling hours, Dean of Counseling Equity and Achievement position.

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With the loss of Anita Black, Bill Love, Ron Moss, Cecilia Arrington, Jeniffer Briffa. Historians of the college, speak up about microaggressions not just for African Americans or Latino students, but everyone. They were mentors and their absence is still felt.

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EOPS/CARE

SAS = St. Accessibility Services

Calworks

Next Step (former foster youth)

Basic Needs

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Merritt College is awarded with the Rising Scholars Juvenile Justice grant to bring equitable instruction and wrap around services to youth who are incarcerated