A2MEND

Author: Armand Santos

  • A2MEND Expands to Washington with New Charter at Green River College

    December 23, 2024

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    LOS ANGELES, CA, December 23, 2024 – African American Male Education Network and Development (A2MEND) is excited to welcome Green River College in Auburn, Washington, as the latest addition to its growing network of student charters. This marks the organization’s first charter in the state of Washington and continues its mission to support and empower African American male students in higher education.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Green River College as our first charter in Washington State, marking another significant step in A2MEND’s mission to empower African American male students across the nation,” said Herbert L. English, President of A2MEND. “This partnership reflects Green River College’s dedication to equity and inclusion and underscores our shared commitment to fostering academic success and personal growth for African American men in higher education. We look forward to the transformative impact this collaboration will have on students and the community.”

    The creation of this charter follows A2MEND’s recent milestone of expanding outside California with two charters established in Minnesota. With Green River College joining the ranks, A2MEND solidifies its commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by African American male students and providing tailored resources to help them succeed academically and personally.

    The process of creating a charter with A2MEND ensures that institutions are fully committed to the success of African American male students. Schools must demonstrate strong institutional support through letters of endorsement from their leadership, as well as programs and strategies that prioritize equity and inclusion. Institutions interested in creating a charter can learn more about the application process and download the necessary forms by visiting A2MEND Student Charter Application.

    For more information about A2MEND, its mission, and its expanding network of charters, visit https://a2mend.net/.

    About A2MEND

    The African American Male Education Network & Development (A2MEND) organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit led by African American male educators who utilize their scholarly and professional expertise to foster institutional change within California’s community college system to increase success of African American male students. Since establishing the organization in 2006, A2MEND has served as the premiere nonprofit solely focused on addressing the lack of educational success for African American male students in community colleges.

  • UC Berkeley Becomes First University andUC Campus to Establish an A²MEND Charter

    December 20, 2024

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    LOS ANGELES, CA, December 20, 2024 – African American Male Education Network and Development (A²MEND) is thrilled to announce that UC Berkeley has become the first University of California campus and the first university in the nation to establish an A²MEND student charter. This groundbreaking achievement highlights the power of student advocacy and leadership, as the charter was spearheaded entirely by UC Berkeley students committed to supporting African American male academic success and leadership development.

    “This vision of bringing A²MEND to campus has been close to my heart since my transformative experience in Zambia, Mozambique, and Botswana this summer with members of the board and my leadership academy peers,” said Henry Palmer, A²MEND student mentee. “I’m deeply honored that the board has entrusted me and my team with establishing this prestigious organization here at Berkeley. We’re eager to advance A²MEND’s mission of empowering and supporting African American male students on our campus and beyond.”

    The new charter at UC Berkeley sets a precedent for higher education institutions beyond community colleges, further expanding A²MEND’s reach and impact. It reflects the university’s commitment to equity and inclusion and underscores the importance of providing a supportive community for African American male students as they navigate the challenges of higher education.

    “Bringing A²MEND to UC Berkeley provides a powerful visual representation of what is possible for Black men striving to continue their academic journey at a four-year institution,” said Tadan Smith, A²MEND student mentee. “As a community college transfer myself, I am committed to helping other Black men reach their fullest academic potential while fostering a strong brotherhood and a community centered on shared experiences beyond community college.”

    This student-led initiative demonstrates the strength of grassroots leadership and the belief in A²MEND’s mission. The chartering process requires institutions to showcase institutional support, resources, and strategies dedicated to empowering African American male students, as well as a formal endorsement from campus leadership. The establishment of UC Berkeley’s charter signifies an important step toward broader representation and support for students of color in university systems.

    “The expansion of the A²MEND Student Charter program to the University of California, Berkeley marks a historic milestone in our mission to empower African American male students,” said Herbert L. English, President of A²MEND. “ Establishing our first charter at a four-year university demonstrates the growing recognition of the critical need for programs that foster equity, inclusion, and academic excellence. We are excited to extend our impact to UC Berkeley and look forward to supporting these scholars as they achieve their goals and build lasting legacies.”

    A²MEND encourages other four-year institutions to follow UC Berkeley’s example by fostering initiatives that uplift and empower African American male students. Institutions interested in creating a charter can learn more about the application process and download the necessary forms by visiting A²MEND Student Charter Application.

    For more information about A²MEND, its mission, and its expanding network of charters, visit https://a2mend.net/.

    About A2MEND

    The African American Male Education Network & Development (A 2MEND) organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit led by African American male educators who utilize their scholarly and professional expertise to foster institutional change within California’s community college system to increase success of African American male students. Since establishing the organization in 2006, A 2MEND has served as the premiere nonprofit solely focused on addressing the lack of educational success for African American male students in community colleges

  • Trevor Brackett-Lambey, Ed.D.

    Trevor Brackett-Lambey, Ed.D.

    Dr. Trevor Brackett-Lambey was born and raised in South Central, Los Angeles where he attended Manual Arts High School, and graduated from Hollywood High School. He then attended College of the Canyons, where he played football and was an All-American Wide Receiver. Trevor eventually received a full-athletic football scholarship to the University of Nevada-Reno where he transferred in 2004. Although Trevor was a standout athlete, he believes education is the key to success for all students and student-athletes, and sports should be the second calling. He earned his Bachelor Degree from University of Nevada-Reno in 2006, Masters Degree from Fresno Pacific University in 2014. He recently completed his Doctorate at San Diego State University in Educational Leadership with a concentration in community College/Post-Secondary Education.

    Brackett-Lambey is determined to make a difference in the lives of every student he encounters to assure them that it doesn’t matter where they come from through hard-work and dedication, he is passionate in making them believe that they too can achieve anything they set their minds to.

    Dr. Trevor Brackett-Lambey is currently a Counselor/Associate Professor, at Pasadena City College. He also works with the current and formerly incarcerated population, while giving lectures in Career and Life Development courses within the California Department of Corrections (CDCR), and Los Angeles County Jail Systems. Dr. Brackett-Lambey is determined to inspire “hope” with this population, as he feels that capitalizing on second chances is vital for life success. His dissertation is titled “From Street Cred to School Credit: Creating A Pathway From Incarceration Into A Community College Amongst Formerly Incarcerated Black Males in Los Angeles County”.

  • Byron C. Breland, Ph.D.

    Byron C. Breland, Ph.D.

    Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland is a dedicated leader in higher education, committed to empowering  students and transforming communities. As the Chancellor of the North Orange County  Community College District (NOCCCD), he oversees one of California’s largest and most  diverse community college districts, serving over 65,000 students and employing more than  4,500 staff members. His leadership is driven by a profound commitment to student success and  community engagement.

    With over 25 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Clift Breland’s journey is marked by a  focus on creating opportunities and fostering growth. Before joining NOCCCD, he served as the first Black Chancellor in the more than 100 year history of the San Jose – Evergreen Community College District (SJECCD), where he developed partnerships that provided meaningful educational and job training experiences for the diverse student populations of San Jose City College, Evergreen Valley College, the Community College Extension Center in Milpitas, and the Center for Economic Mobility in downtown San Jose.

    As President of San Jose City College (SJCC), Dr. Clift Breland positioned the institution among the nation’s top in career education and workforce preparation. He was instrumental in launching the City of San José Promise, which offers up to two years of cost-free education, breaking down financial barriers for students. Under his leadership, both San Jose City and Evergreen Valley Colleges were recognized as top transfer institutions for Black and LatinX students.

    Previously, Dr. Clift Breland served as associate vice president/provost at Long Beach City  College’s Pacific Coast Campus; associate dean of student development at Santa Ana College;  and assistant dean, director of judicial affairs at the University of California, Irvine, serving both  the undergraduate and medical school campuses. In addition, he has held administrative positions  at University of Southern California and University of Maryland at College Park. In each  position, he has been a steadfast advocate for student development and success.

    His dedication extends beyond administrative roles. Dr. Clift Breland has served on numerous boards, councils and commissions, including: National Advisory Board for the Steve Fund; being appointed to the inaugural CA community college Affordability, Food and Housing Taskforce; Community College Council on Mental Health; Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on International Education; and the African-American Male Education Network and Development (AMEND); the Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. In 2020, Dr. Clift Breland was an appointed member of the  Mayor’s Silicon Valley Recovery Roundtable. His involvement in these areas underscores his commitment to creating supportive, inclusive environments where all students can thrive.

    In 2021, as the CA community college system worked vigorously to recover from the pandemic,  Dr. Clift Breland was elected by his peers to serve as the chair of the board of directors for the  Community College League of California (CCLC) and as the president of the Chief Executive  Officers of the California Community Colleges Board. In these roles, he worked to transform the  lives of diverse students and strengthen communities statewide through advocacy, leadership  development, and policy advancement.

    Dr. Clift Breland is the immediate past CEO Chair for the Orange County Community Colleges  Legislative Task Force and the OC Regional Consortium: Workforce Development Alliance. His  leadership continues to inspire and uplift those around him, driven by a belief in the  transformative power of education.

    Dr. Clift Breland holds a BS in Consumer Economics and an MS in Family Studies from the  University of Maryland, College Park, as well as an MS in Education and a PhD in Counseling  Psychology from the University of Southern California. 

    Dr. Clift Breland’s professional journey is a powerful reminder of the impact that passionate,  student-centered leadership can have on individuals and communities alike. His commitment to  fostering environments that support student success and community engagement continues to  drive his work and dedication to service.

  • Edward Bush, Ph.D.

    Edward Bush, Ph.D.

    Dr. Edward Bush has over 21 years of experience in higher education.  Dr. Bush is the President of Cosumnes River College in Sacramento. Prior to his position as College President, Dr. Bush served as Vice President of Student Services for seven years, tenured associate faculty member in student life and leadership, the Director of the Educational Talent Search federal TRIO grant, Dean of Student Services. Dr. Bush leadership experience further includes his involvement on statewide committees and initiatives.  Dr. Bush currently serves as the Area 2 representative for the California Community College League CEO Board, the CEO Representative for the state’s Chancellor Office Faculty Diversity Committee and the Chancellor’s Office Student Success Metrics Taskforce.  Dr. Bush is an innovative leader who has been able to reimagine traditional institutional practices. His innovative approach including the implementation of guided pathways has led to improvement of student outcomes while reducing gaps in achievement for students of color and other historically marginalized student populations. Dr. Bush is a student success focused leader with a clear vision and expertise in leading organizations through periods of change and structural disruption in order to meet the evolving needs of students and the communities in which they serve. Dr. Bush is a scholar practitioner who has served as an adjunct faculty members for several graduate programs. Moreover, Dr. Bush academic achievements includes; the co-authorship of 2 books, 2 book chapters, and 12 peer reviewed publications appearing in a variety of journals. Dr. Bush is a sought after speaker on issues relating to student success, equity, diversity, and leadership. He has been an invited presenter for numerous statewide, local and national organizations. Dr. Bush received his Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science from University of California, Riverside, a Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration from California State University, San Bernardino, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Claremont Graduate University in Urban Educational Leadership. He and his wife Dr. Jenise Bush have a daughter who is a law student at UC Irvine and a son who is a recent graduate of Morehouse College.