Symphoni Barbee

My name is Symphoni Barbee, and I am a junior studying political science at Sonoma State University. I am 20 years old from Sacramento, California, and I am proud to be called a Seawolf. When I was in high school, I began a journey that I am still on today. I began a journey of finding myself and understanding my identity. Sonoma State has been an integral part of this journey, and it is the reason I am able to form communities for myself when it seems that there is no community for me.

When my journey at Sonoma State began, I felt alone. As a black woman on this campus, it was extremely difficult for me to find myself represented at SSU. I struggled with micro-aggressions and implicit bias. Even in the midst of that struggle, I worked hard to make sure that I got the best out of my first year of college. By the end of my first year, I had been placed in positions to be a student leader. I led Summer Orientation and formed bonds with new Seawolves and made it my duty that every student I encountered felt safe and welcomed here at Sonoma State.

My positive experiences at Sonoma State are when I am able to be an ally and build community. One of the few things I have done to build community is joining the Black Student Union. I have built amazing connections and relationships with people who experience the same challenges as me on this campus. This community is filled with people who lift each other up. It is a community I am proud to be a part of at SSU. Finding my community has helped me to find my identity while I have been here at SSU. The experiences that I have had here, both positive and negative, have helped me to be a strong-minded young woman. I am now able to reach out to other students and make them feel welcome at Sonoma State.

Aside from the Black Student Union, I involve myself in various activities on and off campus. I am currently a member of The National Society for Leadership and Success. I am also involved with the Alpha Lambda Delta honor society. Being in these organizations constantly reminds me of the importance of hard work and to strive for excellence in my academic endeavors. I also enjoy allying with other communities here such as the Latinx community or the LGBTQ community because I know there is power in unity. I involve myself with these communities by supporting their events and participating in building community with them.

I am grateful for this journey that I am on here at Sonoma State, and I know that this journey will continue long after I have completed my time here. I will continue my journey of finding myself and loving myself while loving and supporting others. Sonoma State has taught me how to do just this by providing a community of people who genuinely care about you and your journey. My aspiration in life is to change the world around me and to improve the communities that made me who I am today by serving them with the knowledge I have gained here at SSU.