By Emilie St. John
Contributing Writer
WILLOWBROOK — State Sen. Laura Richardson, D-Inglewood, has helped secure $5 million for Charles Drew University under the state’s 2027 budget.
The funding plays a vital role in preparing the next generation of health care professionals, and Richardson spoke about what the investment means for the university and the communities it serves.
“Securing $5 million for one of the leading medical universities in the country will help our community by producing more medical and health care workers, including doctors and nurses at Charles R. Drew University,” Richardson said “Charles Drew is one of four historically Black graduate institutions in the nation and continues to produce top graduates in the medical field.”
Drew University President and Dr. David M. Carlisle thanked Gov. Gavin Newsom, Assemblyman Mike Gipson, State Sen. Richardson, and the California Legislature for recognizing the work the university is doing in preparing the next wave of medical professionals.
“This investment from the state of California is for our students, for the university, and for the community,” Dr. Carlisle said. “This recognition stands as a testament to the critical role CDU plays in addressing health care workforce shortages and advancing accessible healthcare across California.”
Gipson, who represents the Willowbrook community alongside Sen. Richardson, expressed his pleasure with the university being recognized in the budget.
“I’m grateful that the California Legislative Black Caucus got behind this effort and we pushed this through our budget process,” Gipson said. “We believe in planting good seeds in good soil, that will then manifest in the bright minds of local youth that will one day save lives in this community.”
Founded in 1966 by local activists and organizers in the aftermath of the Watts Rights, Charles Drew University is a designated minority-serving institution, recognized as a historically Black graduate institution and is home to one of the nation’s four historically Black medical colleges.
Drew University expanded on its commitment to serving future medical professionals by establishing the King/Drew Magnet High School in 1982, as a medical/science magnet high school designed to meet the needs of under-represented young people with an interest in medicine and science.
“At King-Drew, the classes really push you to do your best and think about your future,” said Brailyn Page, who currently attends the school. “I like the fact that the teachers expect a lot from us because it helps prepare us for college.”
Sen. Richardson pointed to the legacy of the university’s namesake, Dr. Charles R. Drew, whose groundbreaking achievements continue to inspire future generations of physicians, and how Drew University carries that legacy forward.
“This university is giving students who maybe didn’t come from a family of doctors or from high-income households, an opportunity to follow their heart and what they’ve always wanted to do, which is to be involved in medicine,” Richardson said
Emilie St. John is a freelance journalist covering the areas of Carson, Compton, Inglewood and Willowbrook. Send tips to her at emiliesaintjohn@gmail.com.
