Berkeley City College Named California Black Serving Institution
On Monday, December 8, Berkeley City College was officially designated as a Black-Serving Institution (BSI) by the California BSI Governing Board.
Hello Peralta Community,
Come join us for an evening of great music and great fun, all for a great cause! The first-ever Peralta Piano Party is coming up on Friday, February 27, 2026, and will take place here at the District Service Center Atrium.
The Black Men’s Brain Health (BMBH) Initiative will host its 5th Annual Conference during Super Bowl Week, February 3-4, 2026, at Merritt College. This year’s gathering will explore the theme “The Power of Community Engagement: Transforming Black Men’s Participation in Brain Health and AD/ADRD Research.”
The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) proudly announces that all four of its colleges – Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College – have been designated as Black-Serving Institutions (BSI), a state recognition for colleges and universities that demonstrate excellence in supporting Black and African American students.
On Friday, December 5th, PCCD Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson joined an especially strong contingent of representatives from the Peralta Colleges at this year’s Basic Needs Summit at Napa Valley College.
On December 10, 2025, Laney College and the Peralta Community College District hosted "Light the Path, Light the Field: A Luminaria Walk Honoring the Legacy of Coach John Beam."
You've probably heard of ESOL: English for Speakers of Other Languages but are you familiar with VESL? That stands for Vocational English as a Second Language. This term refers to English language programs that specifically integrate job skills and workplace competencies to improve the employability of students. Our colleague Jamille Teer (District Service Center Department of General Services and 4CS Board Member) recently attended a Laney VESL graduation ceremony and found it to be a moving experience.
Laney College opened its doors to innovation on Friday as students, faculty, industry partners, and community leaders gathered for the official Bay Area Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center of Excellence Open House. Held in the newly activated AI hub in Building F, Room 254, the event marked a major step forward in Laney’s commitment to offering accessible, industry-aligned AI education.
Berkeley City College (BCC) has been recognized as a 2025 Pathway Champion of Transfer Equity by the Campaign for College Opportunity (CCO), earning honors in two categories:
There’s nothing quite like the joy of being honored for the passion, effort, and artistry you devote to your craft. Creating something meaningful is already an accomplishment - but receiving a heartfelt “Well done!” on a major platform elevates that achievement into something unforgettable.
