A2MEND

African American Male Education Network & Development

Student Mentees Graduate This Spring

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 of their future pursuits, the students are grateful to A²MEND for their mentoring support and inspiring them to succeed during their undergraduate experience.

Jason Haskins is one of the graduates who has expressed immense gratitude for A²MEND’s mentoring support. Haskins, a magna cum laude graduate of Arizona State University, first learned about A²MEND at a time when he needed it most. Weeks after getting laid off from his job, Haskins found himself living out of his car. With a young daughter to support, he decided to go to college to position himself for better career opportunities. After enrolling in Diablo Valley College, he met Dr. Eric Handy, who encouraged him to get involved in A²MEND. His connections through the organization helped him land a student job as an assistant to the college’s president. When Haskins eventually shared about his homelessness, his mentor Dr. Terrence Elliott graciously opened up his home for him to live there as he worked toward his degree.

Jason Haskins

While carrying a full academic load and working at the college, Haskins took on a second job as an Uber driver. Once he earned his associate’s degree, he transferred to Arizona State University upon receiving an Uber scholarship that paid for his full tuition. Haskins, who is continuing his education at ASU by pursuing a master’s degree in organizational leadership, plans to use his education to one day work in construction management to help builders develop affordable housing for homeless and low-income individuals. “I appreciate A²MEND for filling the void of fellowship for Black students,” said Haskins, who now is also a father to an infant son. “Organizations like A²MEND are what’s needed in our community.”

Cesar Orozco

Another student mentee who is thankful for A²MEND’s presence is Cesar Orozco, who graduated with an associate’s degree in social work from Moreno Valley College. Orozco heard about A²MEND through a college counselor during his freshman year. “I was going through a lot of personal struggles and stress at the time,” he said. “I had hoped that A²MEND would help me change my life, which it did. They helped me feel like I could break free from my situation.” Today, Orozco is headed to UC Santa Barbara to study sociology. His career aspiration is to become a college counselor to help support students with similar struggles that he endured. “I want to help other students by giving them a second chance with the opportunity of an education.”

Zaire Prewitt

Student mentee Zaire Prewitt, who made the Dean’s List as a graduate from Moorpark College, believes that A²MEND influenced him to persevere in his studies and campus activism. Diagnosed with ADHD at an early age, Prewitt said that the stigma of the diagnosis often made him doubt himself. His sensitivity to learning led him to become a tutor for a nonprofit that mentors African American elementary and middle school students. Observing his interest in supporting students of color, one of his professors recommended that he become involved with A²MEND’s student chapter. Within months of joining the organization, he participated in A²MEND’s Study Abroad Program, where board members annually accompany student mentees on an excursion to Africa. “Going to Africa was a holistic experience,” said Prewitt. “It helped me learn how to become more patient with myself and be prepared for opportunities when they arise.” Once he returned to college as a sophomore, Prewitt put those self-discoveries into action by becoming vice president and later president of A²MEND’s student chapter while also serving as secretary of the college’s Black Student Union. “A²MEND helped me build confidence in myself,” said Prewitt, who plans to transfer to Whittier College to study marketing. “The board members of A²MEND believed in me.”

The full list A²MEND student mentees who graduated this past spring are:

Arnett Belton – Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from California State University, Sacramento.

Xzavier Boykin – Associate of Arts degree in Communications from Diablo Valley College. Transferring to Morehouse College.

Amofah Brobbey – Bachelor of Arts degree in Ethnic Studies from California State University, Sacramento.

Terry Conklin – Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from California State University, Long Beach. Continuing to a Master’s Program.

Jason Haskins – Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership at Arizona State University. Continuing to a Master’s Program.

Golden Hicks – Associate of Arts degree in Psychology from Antelope Valley College. Transferring to California State University, Bakersfield.

Charles Long – Associate of Arts degree in Sociology from Moreno Valley College. Transferring to University of California, Berkeley.

Damonik Milan – Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from California State University, Sacramento.

Malcolme Morgan – Bachelor of Arts degree in Social & Behavioral Science from San Diego State University. Continuing to a Master’s Program.

Cesar Orozco – Associate of Arts degree in Social Work from Moreno Valley College. Transferring to University of California, Santa Barbara.

Zaire Prewitt – Associate of Arts degree in General Studies from Moorpark College. Transferring to Whittier College.

Sharif Sivad – Associate of Arts degree in Business from Pasadena City College. Transferring to University of California, Berkeley.

Lebert Young – Associate of Arts degree in General Science from Solano Community College. Transferring to San Francisco State University.

A2MEND Debuts 2021 Annual Report

To highlight A²MEND’s progress last year, the organization has published its 2021 Annual Report. In the report, readers will learn about A²MEND’s key successes throughout the year and how the organization is strategizing for continued growth in the year ahead.

Cover of A2MEND’s 2021 Annual Report, which can be fully accessed at a2mend.net.

The report includes such information as:

  • Message from the President
  • Leadership Academy’s Successes
  • Annual Summit Recap
  • Student Abroad Trip to Africa
  • A²MEND 2021-22 Budget

To view A²MEND’s 2021 Annual Report, please visit the organization’s website at a2mend.net.

Governor Allocates $1.1 Million to A2MEND

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 A²MEND. The Newsom Administration’s 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.

“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) as well as Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE).

PBS NewsHour Airs A2MEND Story

In April, PBS NewsHour aired an enlightening news segment about A²MEND as part of its “Rethinking College” investigative news series. Please watch this informative news piece here and share on your social media platforms. Also, please Donate Now to A²MEND to further the organization’s mission of helping Black men pursue a college education.

Forward-Thinking Summit Reimagines Black Male Student Success

In its mission to embolden Black male student success at California’s community colleges, A²MEND held its 15th Annual Summit in Los Angeles in March. 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.

A2MEND panelists (from left) Hill Harper, Ivy McGregor and Dr. Christopher Emdin immersed in a thought-provoking panel discussion moderated by A2MEND Co-Founder Dr. Edward Bush.

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.