Under the auspice and affiliation of A²MEND, the Student Charter Program of A²MEND is a student support structure that seeks to establish an affirming environment where African American male students and other men of color are able to thrive. The aim of A²MEND’s student charters is to improve academic success and to develop culturally competent servant student leaders. These student charters provide educational, cultural, social and intellectual programs that promote positivity and brotherhood among its members. There are currently 50 A²MEND student charters at community colleges in California.
A²MEND made me realize that I had to step up and contribute more to my community. After the conference, I began attending A²MEND Student Charter meetings and our advisor introduced us to the Student Equity Gap. I realized that there is a bigger issue larger than me that affects all students, especially African Americans. Ever since then I’ve been trying to figure out how could I contribute to minimizing the student equity gap.
–Rajean Smith, Mentee and A²MEND Student Charter Member