Earlier this year, A²MEND brought together 800+ people, 75+ educational entities and 25+ businesses at the organization’s annual summit. If you belong to an educational institution, nonprofit or business that is aligned with A²MEND’s mission to support the higher educational goals of African American male students, we invite you to partner with A²MEND as a sponsor of this inspirational event taking place in Los Angeles from March 1-3, 2023.
Over the past 16 years, A²MEND has remained dedicated to supporting the success of African American male students in higher education. These sponsorships enable A²MEND to further impact lives through not only the summit, but also the organization’s programs that support students and professionals throughout the year.
Sponsorships are established on a first-come, first served basis, so become an A²MEND sponsor today. For questions and more information about becoming a sponsor of A²MEND’s Annual Summit, please email a2mendpartners@gmail.com. To apply as an event sponsor, please visit here.
Since graduating from Sacramento State University in May, Da’Monik Millan has been busier than ever. He’s been putting his sociology degree to good use by holding three jobs in his career field. He serves as a part-time school intervention staff assistant for the Sacramento City Unified School District while dually working for the district’s nonprofit partner, HAWK Institute. He also holds a part-time job working with youth for the City of Sacramento.
Although a recent college graduate, Millan is long known in the A²MEND community since he played a major role in planting the organization’s first student charter in Northern California. While a student at Consumnes River College in 2015, he was handpicked by A²MEND co-founder Dr. Edward Bush to help open the organization’s first student charter at the campus – and ultimately lead it. As the college’s president, Dr. Bush made an affirming impression on Millan, who accepted his challenge of leading A²MEND’s new student charter on campus. “Dr. Bush told me how they’re trying to help transition Black male students to higher levels of education while also creating a space for Black males to have a dependency on learning and accountability,” said Millan. “That made me think about doing something new and pushing myself to the next level.”
Da’Monik Millan
A²MEND debuted its first student charter on the Consumnes River College campus the following year. Through word of mouth, what started as a group of eight student charter members quickly grew to nearly 40 members by the end of its first year. The new student charter was also instrumental in planting other student charters at a number of community colleges throughout Northern California.
Millan, whose parents and younger brother served in the military, is the first member of his family to graduate from college. He says that A²MEND’s leadership encouraged him to pursue his master’s degree in sociology so he can begin his career path of becoming a professor. He also hopes to one day elevate his involvement in A²MEND by joining the organization’s board. “A²MEND helped me transition into manhood and lead more with a purpose,” he said. “I’m learning how to be a leader by being led at the same time.”
In celebration of this year’s Giving Tuesday on November 29, please give to A²MEND. Your generous contribution will help A²MEND continue its vital work of fostering institutional change within the California Community College system to increase the success of Black male students. You can contribute to A²MEND on Giving Tuesday by donating here.
It is with profound sadness that A²MEND announces the recent passing of Dr. Ned Doffoney, a former mentor of the organization. Dr. Doffoney spent more than 40 years serving thousands of community college students, which include leadership roles at the North Orange County Community College District, Fresno City College, Saddleback College, Los Angeles Southwest College, Los Angeles City College, and South Louisiana Community College.
Dr. Ned Doffoney
Dr. Doffoney was one of the first mentors of A²MEND. He and his wife Leige opened their home to A²MEND more than a decade ago to hold one of the organization’s first mentoring sessions to discuss their paths as leaders in the California Community College system and becoming groundbreakers as Black educators in this movement. Dr. Doffoney also became a valuable resource for A²MEND by serving as an elder of the organization, participating in conference panels, and advising college administrators about the importance of Black male success in community colleges.
In honor of Dr. Doffoney’s memory and service to Fresno City College as its former president, a memorial scholarship will be set up by the college in his name.
