Kimate Richards
Kimate is a Senior Strategic Architect as Amazon Web Services, a division of Amazon LLC. Kimate has been in technology development over 25 years and has supported large scale systems and application build throughout his career. As a minority student Kimate attended Chico State University, Mechatronics Engineering program, class of 2005. Kimate currently has a wife and 4 amazing children and mentors young engineers, especially under-represented engineers and is a national recognized character development instructor for Civil Air Patrol, an organization supporting 65k teenagers in the area of STEM, aerospace education and leadership.
Read more about Kimate: 2023 Distinguished Alumni Honoree
Dr. Lateasha Meyers
Dr. Lateasha Meyers currently serves as an Assistant Professor in Multicultural and Gender Studies at California State University, Chico. In her capacity as an educator, she instructs courses covering a range of subjects, including African American Studies, Race and Gender, Social Justice Arts, and Ethnic Studies Methodologies. Dr. Meyers has also taught pre-service teachers and provided guidance to advocates involved in after-school programming. Her research is deeply rooted in her practical experience, focusing on the intersection of race and Black girlhood and womanhood. She places a specific emphasis on understanding the dynamics within schools and community-based organizations. Dr. Meyers is passionately dedicated to exploring holistic educational approaches tailored to the unique needs of Black students. Before transitioning to higher education, Dr. Meyers built a solid foundation as an after-school and community-based organization practitioner. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Cultural Studies, complemented by a certificate in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies from Miami University. Her educational journey also includes a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Washington State University and a Bachelor's degree in Children's Studies and Sociology from Eastern Washington University.
Thembi Mawema
Thembi is a Zimbabwean raised, Los Angeles based creative who prides herself in 'living her best life on a budget' . When she's not hosting Hollywood's red carpets and interviewing entertainment's faves, Thembi is sharing affordable #ThembiTips on everything from life and style, to cocktails and vibes. Read Thembi's Story (PDF).
As a student at Chico State, some of Thembi's most cherished experiences:
- Sports writer/editor for the school's newspaper The Orion
- Senior Speaker at Black Grad 2015
- Recipient of the Billie Jackson Outstanding Student Award - Black Grad 2015
- Student Manager Chico State Men's Basketball Team
- Choreographer - Momentum Dance Group; ENVY Dance Team
- Speaker at Great Debate
- Student assistant at the Office of Research & Grants, Dpt. of Communication & Education
- Inclusion Coordinator at the CCLC
- Academic Advising intern
- Diversity Affairs Council member
- Intern at the local news station KNVN/KHSL / Action News Now - Aug 2015 - Jan 2016
- Promotions coordinator and radio host for the campus radio station KCSC Radio from Feb 2015 - Jan 2016.
- The show I created was also awarded the 'Best Specialty Show' that year.
- Hosted MAC Night in fall 2014