On Monday, the USU’s Dream Center hosted an event with author and educator Felicia S. Russell, a prominent leader in the undocumented Black community. At the event, she spoke about her experience as an undocumented Black person and her personal journey through higher education.
In her lecture, Russell said there is scarce research on the undocumented Black community, specifically in undocumented Black students. She spoke about the idea of “UndocuBlackness” on campuses, saying that many of these students feel misunderstood by the institution and communities they are a part of.
USU Associate Executive Director, Tari Hunter (right), and Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the USU, Natalie Johnson (center), pose with Felecia S. Russell’s book that highlights Black undocumented student voices in higher education in the Northridge Center Room at the University Student Union’s East Conference Center at CSUN on March 23, 2026. (Robert Andaluz)
Russell presented three research-led topics: UndocuBlackness on campuses, invisibility in Black native spaces and invisibility in undocumented immigrant spaces.
“People need to focus more on the experiences of undocumented Black students on college campuses,” she said.
She also included questions that should be asked to faculty, such as how classrooms can be more inclusive towards the undocumented Black community and what biases they might hold towards the overlooked community.
Dream Center Supervisor Karen Castillo provided her thoughts as to why the event needed to take place.
“We’re basically bringing Dr. Felicia Russell to help share a little bit more about the research conducted, around UndocuBlack experience, and how those college students are navigating higher education,” she said.
Castillo also said that the event intends to help change the narrative that the undocumented community is solely of Latinx descent.
Russell and several other students expressed that they did not want to be photographed during the event. Some students placed stickers indicating to not be photographed, reflecting the current climate surrounding undocumented status.
During the lecture, one participant stated that he wished he found more support from faculty in finding resources. Another said faculty should be required to do training in supporting undocumented students, similar to training for sexual harassment or a campus shooter.
The event soon shifted to a moderated Q&A segment that included questions from the book and from Russell’s personal life.
In one question, Dr. Russell referred to her podcast, “Intersections,” where she has difficult conversations of identity and race. She said she encourages others to have uncomfortable discussions with people who might not agree with her.
In another question, Russell answered that her book, “Amplifying Black Undocumented Student Voices in Higher Education,” is important because it shares a central issue in both communities of Black and Latinx continuing in the U.S. – racial profiling.
In the end, Russell said she hoped that readers would sit with the idea that immigration is not just a Latinx issue, but a Black issue too.
Directed to the UndocuBlack students, Russell shared a specific message recalling when she was undocumented and navigating higher education.
“Even if you start somewhere, it doesn’t mean that’s where you’ll always be,” she said. “Keep going and focus on education.”
The Dream Center is scheduled to hold several events towards the end of the 2026 semester, which can be found on their website.
