Dr. Angelia “Angie” Barfield is a wife, mother, daughter, friend, mentor, and community advocate. She has spent the last 20 years working with school aged youth and their families focusing on finding and accessing resources to support students to achieve both academic and social emotional understanding and excellence. Angie, unapologetically, strives daily to bring both positive and empowering experiences and opportunities to all students, but Black/African American students specically.

Dr. Barfield graduated from Clark Atlanta University with a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and focused on Higher Education in support of her quest to build a fortified bridge between K-12 and Higher Education institutions for students. Her Dissertation study: The Impact of Cultural Identity Restoration Practices on Black College Students, is referenced by scholars to support their engagement and empowerment of Black students. She completed her master’s degree (Summa Cum Laude) in 2017 and a Bachelor of Arts degree (Magna Cum Laude) in 2014, in Organizational Development & Leadership Studies from Fresno Pacific University, going back to school after 22 years to “practice what she preached” to her students. Angie is a co-founder, former Board President and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Black Students of California United (BSCU), a student lead nonprofit committed to culturally cultivating, educating, and empowering youth in California to build strong Black Student Union’s (BSU) and elevate Black student voices and civic engagement. She also developed and facilitates the Ujima Collective experience for Middle and High School students, throughout the central valley and abroad, to restore and build community amongst Black youth along with cultural awareness and pride.

Angie was born and raised in Fresno, California where she currently resides with her husband Gregory. Together they have 7 children, 5 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Angie has been invited and continues to speak, lead trainings and present around the state and country to different groups about college preparation, parental engagement, social maturity, culturally responsive environments, building healthy communities in the classroom, and most recently parenting African American males in today’s society. Her favorite quote and life mantra is “Uncommon Accomplishments Require Uncommon Commitment” by Dr. Chike Akua.