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Soccer Bridges Gap at Cal State East Bay

Published

9 years ago

May 8, 2017

Caption: The nonprofit Soccer Without Borders helped Cal State East Bay student Ravis Mubiangata adjust to life in the United States after immigrating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo when he was 13. Photo courtesy of Cal State East Bay

The soccer fields of Cal State East Bay are a far cry from the red dirt fields of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where student Ravis Mubiangata got his start. There, in the streets of Kinshasa, the capital city of 11 million people, Mubiangata and his friends played the game barefoot, outlining a goal using rocks.

But Mabiangata’s worlds will soon collide at a May 11 event designed to bring together American students and faculty and recent immigrants and refugees, hosted by Cal State East Bay and the international nonprofit Soccer Without Borders.

The idea, spearheaded by Mubiangata and Matthew Atencio, associate professor in the kinesiology department and incoming co-director of the Cal State East Bay Center for Sport and Social Justice, is an effort to promote understanding and cooperation.

Like many students at Cal State East Bay, Mubiangata is an immigrant to the United States. The sophomore computer science major moved to Oakland with his family from war-ravaged Central Africa at age 13.

“There were no jobs and we weren’t safe in the Congo,” he says, adding that he likely wouldn’t have graduated high school in his native country, due to his family’s inability to pay the high tuition costs.

Instead, Mubiangata attended Oakland International High School and obtained a free public education. It’s also where he was introduced to Soccer Without Borders, which started in 2006 and uses soccer as a way to create change and inclusion for underserved youth 18 and under, including newly arrived immigrants and refugees.

At his first practice, Mubiangata was handed a pair of cleats and welcomed with open arms by the program’s coach and founder, Ben Gucciardi.

“He said, ‘Here, keep them.’ I said, ‘you’re kidding!’ I couldn’t believe it,” Mubiangata recalls.

“[Mubiangata] spoke no English as a new arrival, acclimated himself to his new surroundings, became the team captain, graduated high school and now attends a four-year college,” Gucciardi says.

“[Our organization] connected him with something he was familiar with — soccer. He was going through so many changes and he knew no one, so this became a very important new community for him. He was able to build relationships and make new friends.”

“Though we don’t speak the same language, we do speak soccer,” Mubiangata says with a smile.

While he has outgrown the Soccer Without Borders program, which supports children and teens, Mubiangata still plays with fellow students and professors on intramural teams at Cal State East Bay.

It was during one of those games Mubiangata and Atencio discussed how CSSJ — which wants to promote international student engagement on campus — and Soccer Without Border could come together for an event that would blend the goals of both groups.

The event, which is co-sponsored by CSSJ’s student club and the Pioneer Soccer Club, will include games featuring two Soccer Without Borders teams pitted against a Cal State East Bay student-faculty team, where both Atencio and Chair of Kinesiology Paul Carpenter will play.

There will first be a one-hour discussion and video presentation at the field house at Pioneer Stadium, followed by three 30-minute matches. The day will culminate in a friendly championship match, with prizes such as soccer jerseys, balls and backpacks. The participants will all be treated to pizza.

Atencio says he hopes the event will raise awareness of the Soccer Without Borders program and recruit future SWB members to become Pioneers at the university.

“[Mubiangata] is a prime example that these immigrants can make it through the transition in a strange country,” he says. “They can feel part of a network. We don’t want them to fall through the cracks.”

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Preventing Amputation: A Doctor’s Guide for Diabetes Patients

POST NEWS GROUP — Amputation is usually the final stage of diabetic foot disease. Earlier signs often involve nerve damage. Some people experience numbness, tingling, burning, or loss of sensation in their feet.

Published

2 days ago

July 12, 2026

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For many diabetes patients, amputation becomes a last-resort measure after infections, ulcers, or poor circulation worsen rapidly and leave few other treatment options.

But according to Dr. Estelle Everett, a physician and researcher specializing in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at the

University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), most diabetes-related amputations can be prevented through early intervention, consistent medical care, and patient education.

For Everett, her commitment to diabetes prevention is deeply personal. Watching her younger sister navigate Type 1 diabetes exposed her early to the challenges many patients face, including barriers to advanced diabetes technologies such as continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps due to racial disparities in patient care.

Those experiences helped shape her focus on prevention, education, and equitable access to care.

Dr. Everett spoke with California Black Media (CBM) about the warning signs of diabetic complications, prevention strategies, healthcare access, and the role of diabetes technology in improving outcomes.

What are some of the early warning signs that a person with diabetes may be developing circulation and nerve problems that could potentially lead to amputation?

Amputation is usually the final stage of diabetic foot disease. Earlier signs often involve nerve damage. Some people experience numbness, tingling, burning, or loss of sensation in their feet.

Poor circulation is another warning sign. Symptoms can include calf pain while walking, foot pain at rest, cold feet, skin color changes, or wounds that do not heal properly. Foot ulcers, thick calluses, and untreated cuts can also become serious infections that may eventually lead to amputation if they are not treated early.

Before complications reach that stage, what are some early signs of diabetes itself that people should be looking out for?

Many people are walking around with diabetes and do not even realize it. Some patients first seek medical care only after they’ve already developed complications because they’ve had diabetes for years without knowing it.

That’s why routine screenings are so important. If you have diabetes, controlling it early can significantly reduce the risk of severe complications later on.

Many Black Californians harbor a degree of distrust in the healthcare system. What message would you send to encourage people to get regular checkups?

Distrust is real, and there are many reasons people may avoid healthcare. Some fear discrimination or worry they’ll simply be judged instead of helped.

Personally, I realized some of the care my sister received may have been influenced by racial bias. Although she had diabetes for years, she was never offered diabetes technology like insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitors. When she finally asked about them, she was told she had to jump through many hoops.

Later, I realized her experience wasn’t unique. Research shows that minority patients and people from lower-income backgrounds are less likely to be offered diabetes technology. That inspired me to focus my research on improving access for the populations that need these tools the most.

I think building trust is important. Finding the right doctor is almost like dating. If you don’t feel comfortable with your provider, it may help to find someone you connect with and feel understands your concerns. That relationship can make a major difference in getting consistent care.

Are there newer technologies or innovations in diabetes care that people should know about?

One of the biggest advances has been continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs. These small wearable devices track blood sugar levels in real time and have really changed diabetes care over the past decade.

For providers, CGMs give a much clearer picture of blood sugar patterns throughout the day. For patients, they provide immediate feedback about how food, exercise, and other daily habits affect blood sugar levels.

Someone may notice that certain foods cause major spikes while certain exercises lower their blood sugar. That real-time information helps people make healthier decisions and improve blood sugar control. Research shows these technologies can significantly improve outcomes.

What daily habits or preventative measures can reduce the risk of complications or even amputation?

The biggest thing is controlling your diabetes. A lot of people automatically think diabetes will lead to amputations, but research shows the risk is much lower when diabetes is well managed.

That means taking medications as prescribed, making dietary changes, and working to keep your A1C below 7. Managing high blood pressure and high cholesterol is also important because both contribute to circulation problems.

People should also inspect their feet every day, especially if they’ve already lost sensation. Some patients injure their feet without realizing it because they can’t feel the damage. Catching wounds early is critical. Good foot hygiene also plays a major role in prevention.

Are there any common misconceptions about diabetes that stand out to you in your clinical work with Black patients?

One major misconception is that diabetes medications cause complications like kidney failure or amputations. In reality, poorly controlled diabetes causes those complications — not the medications used to treat it.

Those misconceptions sometimes cause patients to avoid medications or stop taking them altogether. Another issue is that some people believe diet and exercise alone should always control diabetes. While lifestyle changes are important, some patients have severe diabetes that also requires medication.

Needing medication is not a personal failure. Sometimes diet and exercise alone are simply not enough, and medication is necessary to prevent serious complications.

This article is supported by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF). Visit www.chcf.org

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Oakland Post: Week of July 8 – 14, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 8 – 14, 2026

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IN MEMORIAM: A Queen Mother’s Journey Home

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — She opened doors for those to come with wisdom, strength, and grace,
She challenged wrong, uplifted youth, and quickened justice’s pace.
Her scholarship and generous heart shall bloom through future years,
Transforming dreams to living hope beyond our grief and tears.

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2 days ago

July 12, 2026

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A Memorial Tribute to Rosetta Miller-Perry, July 7, 1934 – June 26, 2026

From truth’s bright flame she lit the way, so bold and wise each day,
Her fearless voice inspired us all and never lost its sway.
A Queen Mother crowned by faith, whose love would never cease,
She sowed the seeds of justice well and harvested God’s peace.

She marched where freedom’s banners waved and answered duty’s call,
She stood with King through history’s storms, courageous through them all.
With pen and press she raised our voice for every soul unheard,
She proved that hope is strongest still when carried by the Word.

The Tennessee Tribune became a beacon shining bright,
Its pages told our stories true and championed the right.
She taught that Black lives, dreams, and truths deserved the highest place,
And every headline proudly bore the beauty of our race.

She opened doors for those to come with wisdom, strength, and grace,
She challenged wrong, uplifted youth, and quickened justice’s pace.
Her scholarship and generous heart shall bloom through future years,
Transforming dreams to living hope beyond our grief and tears.

Now Heaven’s presses joyfully proclaim her work complete,
As angels sing and saints arise our Queen Mother to greet.
Though earth now mourns her gentle voice, her light will never pass,
For Rosetta lives forevermore in truth, in love, and in the Black Press.

May Rosetta Miller-Perry’s memory continue to inspire all who believe in truth, justice, freedom, and the enduring mission of the Black Press of America. May her legacy remain a guiding light for generations to come.