The Chargers recently held some impactful visits in celebration of Black History Month.
Among the events were hosting a museum visit to the California African American Museum earlier this month in addition to having a representative at a panel hosted by the Department of Black Student Achievement at Compton Unified School District.
In a visit that honored the culture, art and history, the Chargers took a large group of Bolt Academy students to the California African American Museum, the first African American museum of art, history, and culture fully supported by a state.
And a group of these students got the opportunity to tour the museum, including the Shaper of God: Apple Valley Autonomy exhibit that opened in August of last year.
The Bolt Academy is built of selected juniors and seniors from Inglewood High Schools that participate in a six month after-school program to build leadership and career readiness skills, in addition of having a number of opportunities to prepare them for their future paths.
Which is why they also had a unique opportunity to hear from a professional on working in the arts, adding to their experience at the museum.
Later in the week, James Collins — the Chargers Vice President, Cultural Programs and Development — had the opportunity to represent the team at an event hosted by Compton Unified School District's Department of Black Student Achievement.
The event, held at Charles Drew University and titled 'Compton Goes to College: HBCU Edition,' brought together a number of college and high school scholars from around the area.
Collins was among the 30 panelists of the College and Career workshops, which aimed to give students more background on their jobs and career journeys.
Collins, who has been with the organization for almost 30 years in a variety of roles including head athletic trainer, was a part of the group and took questions on how he got to where he is, as well as give advice.
He said events like these are some of the most important to participate in, as it gives students a chance to hear firsthand from people who were once in a similar situation.
"It's important to me because as I've gone through my career, there's been a lot of people that have helped me get to where I am from the beginning," Collins said. "I think it's only good to see that the organization cares about young people having the opportunity because I think that's the biggest thing with young kids.
"Especially this group of kids who maybe don't come from the best areas of the city, that they have an opportunity and see that there's people that look like them can get a job they want to have," Collins added. "It's not impossible, so you have to make sure you put yourself in a position, do things the right way so you can have those opportunities when they come along."
The event gave students a chance to hear of all types of occupations, like data analysts, professors. The diversity in groups of people and what they have an opportunity to do, gave them different options.
"Prepare themselves for getting through school, have an idea of what they want to do in life," Collins said of his advice to the group. "We don't always know what career we're going to end up with but at least if you have some idea and try to meet as many people as you can in the area you're interested in.
"Find your happy place. I think the best thing we can do is find a job we really enjoy and have fun," Collins added. "I told them 37 years later and I'm still having fun at my job. I think that's what you want to do."
Collins said he likened his experience to a number of the students on site, and hoped they took away some of the most important things from the session.
No matter what career path they might pursue, it's important for them to know they are represented.
"When you meet a lot of different people from different walks of life, maybe somebody didn't think about being an FBI agent or being an athletic trainer like I am," Collins said. "I think that's what's important to them, to give them the opportunity to see what's out there."
