We are excited to announce an amazing opportunity to join A²MEND board members in traveling abroad to the University of Cape Coast, Ghana to participate in a momentous academic-based All African Diaspora Education Summit from September 19-24, 2022. This historic summit promises to be a profound professional development opportunity for African American educational professionals to…
Last summer, A²MEND resumed its Africa Study Abroad Program, where executive board members accommodate a group of student mentees to Africa to visit their ancestral homeland. This July, A²MEND’s leadership plans to escort another group of Leadership Academy students to Kenya as part of this annual cultural excursion. The trip is a life changing experience…
A²MEND’s leadership congratulates one of their longtime student mentees, Temesghen “Temie” Ghde, for his acceptance to Harvard Kennedy School. Ghde will realize his dream of attending Harvard this fall as part of his post-graduate plans to earn joint degrees in law and public policy. Ghde’s successful educational path is a testament to the mission of…
The A²MEND board is proud to announce that 13 student mentees graduated from college this past spring. Several students who graduated with an associate’s degree are moving on to a four-year college, while others who graduated with a bachelor’s degree are continuing their education through a master’s program or have already started their careers. Regardless…
Morale and Support Provided by A²MEND’s College Mentoring Program Aided Temesghen Ghde in his Path from Community College to Harvard
LOS ANGELES – April 25, 2022 – A²MEND’s leadership congratulates one of their longtime student mentees, Temesghen “Temie” Ghde, for his acceptance to Harvard Kennedy School. Ghde will realize his dream of attending Harvard this fall as part of his post-graduate plans to earn joint degrees in law and public policy. Ghde’s successful educational path is a testament to the mission of A²MEND, which seeks to foster institutional change in California’s community college system by operating a mentoring program for African American male students.
“We at A²MEND are tremendously proud of Temie’s acceptance at Harvard. His acceptance demonstrates to our students that nothing is impossible if you’re committed to academic excellence and hard work,” said Dr. Amanuel Gebru, President of A²MEND. “Temie’s brilliance and tenacity to stay the course as a top performing undergraduate student has enabled him to fulfill his vision of attending Harvard in his quest to work in law and public policy.”
Ghde first learned about A²MEND while attending a community college in Oakland, where a professor introduced him to the organization’s student mentoring program. He was drawn by the supportive resources and the confidence building methods of the organization. Throughout his undergraduate years, he was matched with Dr. Gebru as his A²MEND mentor, who remained steadfast in encouraging him to press forward with his ambitious educational plans. “The morale boost that A²MEND provides to African American students is amazing,” said Ghde. “No matter how big or small, I appreciated their efforts to give financially through their scholarship contributions.”
Ghde’s road to Harvard wasn’t an easy one. Raised in Eritrea, Africa, Ghde endured hardships early in his life. Following his graduation from high school, Ghde was unable to study his chosen field of law in college because his country’s educational system required him to major in engineering as a result of him testing well in physics and math on his matriculation exam. After studying civil engineering for three years and completing his national service, Ghde eventually moved to the U.S. in his resolve to leave Eritrea to follow his educational goals.
A year after his arrival in the U.S., Ghde enrolled in Laney College upon settling in Northern California. Determined to succeed against all odds as a new asylee in the U.S., he remained vigilant in his educational pursuits to study law and public policy. During his studies at Laney College, he served as President of the Laney Law Society. Soon after receiving his associate’s degree from Laney College, he attended UC Berkeley, where he graduated with a degree in political science, specializing in comparative politics.
Envisioning to ultimately earn a law degree to one day serve the people of his home country, Ghde applied to leading universities to position him for that endeavor. With an impressive GPA along with his extracurricular accomplishments, including a congressional internship on Capitol Hill and a prestigious study abroad program at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, he applied to Harvard as well as the University of Oxford. Less than three months later, he received the extraordinary news about his acceptance to Harvard.
While Ghde’s sheer intellect and perseverance led him to Harvard, he is grateful to A²MEND for providing him with the mentorship and scholarship funding that helped support him throughout his undergraduate journey.
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.
A²MEND UNITES BLACK COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH THOUGHT LEADERS, DONATES $50K IN SCHOLARSHIPS AT SUMMIT
Forward-Thinking Summit Reimagines Black Male Student Success in California’s Community College System
LOS ANGELES – March 15, 2022 – In its mission to embolden Black male student success at California’s community colleges, the African American Male Education Network & Development (A²MEND) organization held its 15th Annual Summit in Los Angeles earlier this month. Themed “A Radical Reimagination of Black Male Student Success,” the three-day conference drew about 1,000 college students and educators from across the state.
The Summit’s opening day featured inspirational speeches from African American community college leaders who rallied the crowd in the spirit of brotherhood and support of the Black male collegiate experience. The rallying speeches were followed by a panel of impact leaders – actor and author Hill Harper, educator Dr. Christopher Emdin and businesswoman Ivy McGregor – who all led a thought-provoking discussion about radically reimagining Black male student success.
Prior to the panelist segment, A²MEND President Dr. Amanuel Gebru announced the organization’s recent land purchase in Ghana and its plans to build the A²MEND Racial Trauma and Wellness Retreat Center. In support of A²MEND’s land acquisition effort, panelist Hill Harper publicly pledged to underwrite the costs to purchase the remaining three acres of the Ghanaian property.
Also during the Summit, A²MEND’s leadership presented $50,000 in scholarships to deserving students who are currently mentored through the organization. The students will use the funds to pursue their studies in community colleges or further their education at four-year universities.
The Summit additionally featured a student panel who discussed ways that African American students can thrive in California’s community college system. Students also were encouraged to visit a career fair as well as a college recruitment fair organized by A²MEND. The event’s pre-conference day hosted the Women’s Leadership Institute to give African American female college educators an opportunity to network and discuss topics related to Black women in higher education.
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.
A²MEND’s 15th Annual Summit Unites Black Male College Students with Educatorsto Increase Success of African American Males in Higher Education
LOS ANGELES – February 17, 2022 – A²MEND’s 15th Annual African American Male Summit kicks off March 2-4 to bring together Black male college students and educators to encourage their success in California’s community college system. Held at the Hyatt LAX Hotel in Los Angeles, the Summit is given each year as part of A²MEND’s mission of increasing Black male student success in community colleges throughout the state. The event is organized by African American Male Education Network & Development (A²MEND), a nonprofit comprising African American male educators who voluntarily use their professional expertise to operate a statewide mentoring program for Black male college students.
The Summit headlines a panel of impact leaders – actor and author Hill Harper, educator Dr. Chris Emdin and businesswoman Ivy McGregor – who will lead a discussion under the event’s theme, “A Radical Reimagination of Black Male Student Success.” The Summit also features a student panel who will discuss ways that African American students can thrive in the college experience. The event’s pre-conference day will host the Women’s Leadership Institute to give African American female college educators an opportunity to network and discuss topics relating to Black women in higher education.
The Summit also includes a career fair as well as a college recruitment fair. The event is open to the public and is expected to draw hundreds of African American college students, educators and administrators from across the state. To learn more about the Summit and to register, please visit a2mend.net.
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.
With Historical Declines in African American Male College Enrollment, New A²MEND Funding to Expand Mentoring Programs for Black Men to Enroll and Succeed in Community Colleges
LOS ANGELES – January 13, 2022 – As a clear sign of Governor Gavin Newsom’s commitment to increase Black male enrollment in California’s community colleges, the Governor’s 2022-23 budget proposal has allocated $1.1 million to the African American Male Education Network & Development (A²MEND) organization. A²MEND comprises African American male educators who voluntarily use their scholarly and professional expertise to foster institutional change within California’s community college system by operating mentoring programs for Black male students. Since forming in 2006, A²MEND has mentored hundreds of African American male students to inspire them to enroll and succeed in the state’s community colleges.
The Newsom Administration’s $1.1 million allocation to A²MEND was announced in the midst of a crucial climate for African Americans in higher education, as Black male college enrollment rates are currently at an all-time low. According to a recent report published by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, U.S. college attendance among African American males dropped 8% since the onset of the pandemic compared to the previous year. The new funding will greatly support A²MEND’s efforts to help reverse this troubling trend among California’s African American male student population.
“We’re thankful for the Governor’s budget allocation to increase enrollment and graduation rates among African American male students. We’re equally thankful to the Chancellor’s Office for their call-to-action to improve Black student success and for partnering with A²MEND to manifest this vision,” said Dr. Amanuel Gebru, President of A²MEND. “As college enrollment of Black men is declining at an alarming rate, our organization is eager to continue engaging with our partners to expand our impact on retention rates among Black male students.”
A²MEND aims to leverage the new funding to broaden the organization’s 23 statewide student charters that were established to improve academic success by creating an affirming environment where African American male students and other students of color are able to thrive. With the hope of doubling their student charters at community colleges throughout California, A²MEND’s executive board plans to request an additional $400,000 from the Governor’s budget, as the organization estimates that a total allocation of $1.5 million will ensure that their expansion goals are met. Still, the executive board is unequivocally appreciative for the current allocation commitment.
“A²MEND is honored and deeply inspired to be acknowledged in the Governor’s budget,” said Dr. Abdimalik Buul, Vice President of A²MEND. “For the past 16 years, A²MEND has been unapologetic about radically redefining Black male success in our community college system. With the $1.1 million allocation, A²MEND is uniquely poised to widen our presence of student charters on campuses in every rural, suburban and urban community in California.”
The announcement of the Governor’s allocation was met with praise from A²MEND partners, including the California Community Colleges Organización de Latinx Empowerment, Guidance, Advocacy for Success (COLEGAS). “COLEGAS is proud to see that Governor Newsom has affirmed his commitment to social justice and racial equity in our state through his proposed budget, which provides significant resources that can lead to an extraordinary transformation of our community college system. We are especially pleased to see $1.1 million for the A²MEND organization that will expand student charters across the state among other critical services for African American men,” said Dr. Cynthia Olivo, President of COLEGAS. “Investing in this effort will lead to the goal of addressing the ‘education debt,’ as coined by expert research and scholar Dr. Gloria Ladson Billings, who stated that ‘the cumulative impact of fewer resources and other harm directed at our minoritized students’ are certainly a result of systemic inequities. We believe in the mission of A²MEND – the name of the organization itself is a call for all of us to do everything possible to make amends to our Black community members. These resources are a move in the right direction. We commend Governor Newsom!”
Another A²MEND partner, Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE), also extended a congratulatory statement about the allocation. “As President-Elect of APAHE, I would like to express our support to Governor Newsom for his January proposal and his continued support of the California Community Colleges as well as the diverse programs and students they serve,” said Dr. Rowena M. Tomaneng, President of San Jose City College. “Specifically, I am grateful to Governor Newsom for his longstanding commitment to student programs centered on closing the racial opportunity gap for Black, Indigenous and People of Color. I commend the Governor’s proposal of an ongoing $1.1 million to expand A²MEND student charters to additional college districts. APAHE believes A²MEND’s programs for Black male students provide a critical intervention to historical racial inequities.”
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.
