The African American Male Education Network Development (A²MEND) organization consists of community college faculty and administrators dedicated to the promotion and advancement of institutional change within the community college system. The A²MEND organization is purely a voluntary organization and lead by 13 members who make up the Executive Board of the organization. The Executive Board is considered a working Board, and members of the Board, including the Executive Director, do not receive any compensation for serving as Board Members and/or for leading, coordinating, and/or performing officer duties. Each of the Board Members hold high level faculty or administrative leadership positions within the California Community College system; among the 13 leaders of the organization, their current experience and responsibilities consists of the following:
- (1) District Chancellor
- (2) College Presidents
- (4) Vice Presidents, Student Services
- (3) Faculty, instructional and counseling
- (3) Deans, instruction and student services
Collectively, the 13 board members represent over 100 years of experience working within California Community Colleges. Relevant programs and accomplishments include:
African American Male Summit – Annual Conference
Since 2008, A²MEND has hosted 12 annual African American Male Summits in which policy makers, trustees, administrators, faculty, staff and students come together to identify solutions to the barriers that African American men face in community colleges. The mission of the conference is to counteract the dismal forecast of the African American male in higher education, by centrally focusing on the role of the institution. Institutions of higher learning play a pivotal role in the education, leadership, support, and engagement of these students. Various keynote speakers and over 20 informative presenters and facilitators provide interactive workshops throughout the conference that culminates into the development of realistic strategies and concrete recommendations that can be put into practice in our community colleges to address African American male success outcomes.
A²MEND Mentee Program
The African American Male Education Network and Development (A²MEND) Mentor Program provides support, guidance, professional development, and networking opportunities for A²MEND members as well as students enrolled within the community college system. A²MEND mentees are assigned to an administrator who has demonstrated expertise, leadership and scholarship within the California Community College system, and are committed to the personal development, professional growth and academic success of African American males. Mentees also have the opportunity to network with other mentees and mentors within the program through various personal and professional development programs and social activities.
A²MEND/Base 11 Partnership
A²MEND has partnered with Base 11 to collaborate in offering B11 programs to high potential, but low resource A²MEND students, so as to provide them with hands-on training, education and mentorship in STEM related fields
A²MEND Mentee Scholarship Program
The A²MEND scholarship provides mentees with financial support for tuition, books, and living fees. The scholarship is awarded to students with special qualifications, such as academic achievement, artistic abilities, demonstrated leadership and/or athletic talents, or to students who are in particular fields of study, who are members of underrepresented groups, or who demonstrate a financial need who are mentees. In March 2019, A²MEND awarded $43,000 in scholarships to 59 students in our mentoring program. The scholarships support students in their education in community colleges as well as while transferring to four-year institutions.
A²MEND Student Charters
Under the auspice and affiliation of the African-American Male Education Network Development (A²MEND), the Student Charter 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 the A²MEND student charter is to improve academic success and to develop culturally competent servant student leaders. The student charters of A²MEND provide educational, cultural, social, and intellectual programs that promote positivity and brotherhood among its members. There are currently 15 A²MEND student charters within the California Community College system at the following institutions:
- Antelope Valley College
- College of the Desert
- College of the Canyons
- College of Sequoias
- Cosumnes River College
- Evergreen Valley College
- Fullerton College
- Long Beach City College
- Moorpark College
- Moreno Valley College
- Mt. San Jacinto College
- Pasadena City College
- San Bernardino Valley College
- San Diego City College
- San Jose City College