Toro Earns Black Student Success Scholarship, Aims to Elevate Black Artists

Armand Jovaughn Egere is proud to be a Black artist. "It's a type of activism," says the CSUDH fifth-year student.

"The way my story is typically written, I'm not supposed to make it. But I'm out here beating the odds, and trying to be a symbol for other young Black artists."

Egere's leadership, as well as his service promoting antiracism and culture change to elevate Black excellence, have earned him the CSU's first-ever Black Student Success Scholarship, sponsored by the CSU Foundation. Egere is one of six CSU recipients for 2024-25, and will receive $5,000 in recognition of his efforts.

"These scholars represent the highest ideals and brightest future of our university system and embody our commitment to creating a culture and community throughout the CSU where all students, faculty and staff have equitable representation, holistic support and an authentic sense of belonging," said CSU Chancellor Mildred García​.

Egere grew up knowing he wanted to pursue art, and he credits his mother with recognizing and encouraging his talents. He notes that in some Black households, art may not be considered a lucrative or viable career.

"People within my community didn't believe I could make money doing art," he says. "I understand where that comes from-it's a fear factor. As I got older, I realized art is one of the most profitable, multilayered fields I could get into."

In 2019, Egere entered CSUDH as a studio art major with a primary focus on drawing and painting. Then, in 2020, Covid hit.

Like many others, Egere struggled with the isolation of lockdown and social distancing. However, he says the pandemic also "sparked a resurgence" for him artistically, and he saved up enough money through commissions to buy an iPad. He taught himself Procreate and Photoshop, which opened up a new world of digital art creation.

"Covid gave me the mental push I needed," he says.

Post-pandemic, he returned to campus with a renewed sense of who he was as an artist, as well as a desire to get involved. Egere serves as a community liaison at the Latinx Cultural Resource Center, which he says has deepened his understanding of the complexities of race within Black and Brown communities.

He also joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (APA), the first intercollegiate fraternity founded by African American men, whose guiding principle is "service above all." In APA, Egere led "A Voteless People is a Hopeless People," an initiative focused on voter registration and education within the Black community.

"Being an Alpha taught me what it means to be a foothold in your community," Egere says. "I look up to my brothers, and they hold me to a high standard."

Egere also cites his involvement with the Black Resource Center as helping him to find his community, and teaching him to "be proud to be young, Black, and beautiful." As a representation of Black student success, Egere aspires to be an example to others beyond his time at CSUDH. His ultimate dream is to open an art studio for young artists to learn, make connections, and begin building their careers in the art world.

"I want artists to have space to be their own creative selves," he says. "I owe it to the people who have given me support to be a role model for others."

"I'm here for the sake of making cool stuff, and being Black while I do it."

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.