As the school year comes to a close, we’re looking at how educational initiatives and programs in Southern California are equipping students with the tools to help them plan and achieve their future goals.

This week on “In Focus SoCal,” host Tanya McRae spoke with U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, representing California’s 42nd District. He is president of the Democratic freshman class, a ranking member of the National Security, the Border and Foreign Affairs subcommittee, and a member of the Congressional Progressive, Hispanic and Equality caucuses. As a longtime career educator, Garcia stressed what’s needed to help develop the next generation of leaders.

“We have to listen to students more,” he said. “Listen to young people. Empower them. Know that college is important, but it’s not the only path to success. And also ensure that young people have the systems in place to have the support they need.”

According to a recent report from The Schott Foundation For Public Education, across the U.S., more Black students are graduating from high school, but fewer are attending college. In California, Black students had a high school graduation rate of 76.9%. In the Cal State system, the graduation gap between Black, Latino and Native American students and their peers increased to a 13% difference. However, the National Black Grads program in San Bernardino County ensures Black students in the Inland Empire have the support and resources to succeed.

Keynasia Buffong, executive director of the National Black Grads, says the organization has helped more than 4,200 in the past decade.

“Many of the students in this area are from low socio-economic backgrounds,” she said. “And so when it comes to having the finances and resources available for them to be able to have a top-notch education, they may not have access to them.”

McRae also talked with Assemblymember James Ramos, who is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative to incorporate more Native American history into California schools’ curriculum. Ramos authored AB 1821, which says that when California public schools teach about Spanish colonization and the Gold Rush era, they would be required to include the impact of what happened during those periods on California Native Americans.

“There’s a lot of tribes that suffered that impact, through genocide and atrocities,” he said. “That needs to be told. The mission system… it’s a claim to fame in the state of California. But yet, for many Native Americans in the state of California, it’s a sore eye in terms of taking away culture and embedded slavery.”

Watch the show every Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m., and send us your thoughts to InFocusSoCal@charter.com.