Your Quarterly News & Updates
The members of the African American Male Education Network Development (A2MEND) organization, insures the interest and success of Black administrators, faculty, staff and students within the California Community College system. A2MEND educators utilize scholarly and professional expertise to foster institutional change within the community college system with a focus on the success of African American male students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
A Message from the A2MEND President
Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.
James Baldwin
Since 2006, the African American Male Education Network & Development (A2MEND) has been working to create change within the system of higher education. The idea of creating an organization that would support the success of African American male students began at a new administrator’s training in Los Angeles. We were all young African American administrator’s (at that time) in the California Community College system and felt a sense of responsibility to create a mechanism that would support our students; we felt a moral obligation to advocate on their behalf. One of our main goals was to become the voice of the historically voiceless students; those who were not always considered in the conversations about their student success. We wanted to make sure that the concerns and issues that our communities faced were being addressed through policy and procedures, through programs and trainings and well-intentioned initiatives. We wanted to make sure that the needs of our students were not just being discussed, but were being met through intentional, good faith efforts to ensure their success. We needed to take action to hold our institution accountable for outcomes it has historically produced and we were committed to creating change by facing it directly; fifteen years later, we continue this work.
We are now launching the A2MEND Institute in order to facilitate the necessary conversations around issues of race and the impacts of systemic racism on African Americans and historically underrepresented students in higher education. The A2MEND Institute will use a framework to provide professional development training and challenge institutional leaders to engage in and implement five necessary components for anti-racist work (Courageous Conversations, Capacity-Building, Consultation, Competency and Change: Systemic Change). This new initiative compliments the existing programs that A2MEND offers; Mentoring, Student Charters (located on 16 California Community College campuses and counting), the Annual Summit/Conference, a Women’s Leadership Institute, Professional Training and student financial support/ scholarships.
The past six months have magnified the need for this important work; we began this journey by asking ourselves this simple question; If not us, then who? If not now, then when? This question continues to guide our work.
Be safe in this environment, be intentional in your actions and most importantly, be your true self in this work.
Scott W. Thayer, Ed.D.
Board President
A2MEND
A2MEND Institute Webinars
A2MEND Institute will feature a webinar series that will facilitate thoughtful discourse about Black issues and the systemic underpinning and plight that impacts the nation. Tune in and Get Ready to Learn, Engage and Enact Systemic Change!
SEPTEMBER 26, 2020
“Reform or Dismantle?”
featuring Dr. Cornel West, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson and Dr. Joy DeGruy.
Buy Tickets here.
October 24, 2020
“Compounded Oppression: Sisters Circle”
featuring Tamika Mallory and Ijeoma Olou
November 21, 2020
“Transitioning from Anti Blackness to Pro Black”
featuring Dr. Tommy Curry and Dr. William A. Smith
Webinar series sponsorship information can be found here.
A2MEND Mentee Spotlight: Andrick Robinson
Tell us about yourself: Born and raised in East Palo Alto until I was 12. Moved to Sacramento were I reside now. I was a boxer for 10 years and won numerous titles such as Cali Golden Gloves and even made it to the quarterfinals of the Olympic Trial Qualifiers. I am currently starting my own boxing/fitness business called R legacy. It has two meanings: R for Robinson and R as in our legacy as a community. I am trying to change lives and leave a legacy for the next generation. I currently work with H.A.W.K (Higher Attainment through wisdom and knowledge) helping at risk youth achieve their goals and showing them positive alternatives in life. I am the youngest of three, a preachers kid(pk), both of my grandfathers were pastors, I play percussions at my church. I am the VP of my A2MEND Charter at CRC.
How has being an A2MEND mentee impacted you? It has helped me connect with other like-minded young men that are now like brothers to me. Being a mentee has helped me stay motivated in achieving my goals and dreams.
What is your dream career and why? My dream is to start a non-profit that uses boxing principles to help youth achieve their goals. I would like to show young kids how to excel in anything they put their mind to. Who is your A2MEND mentor and what is one lesson they’ve taught you that has stuck with you or impacted you most? Dr. Ed Bush is my mentor. He made me realize how much I have been through and that I’m still thriving. He keeps me motivated and hungry to push the envelope and always level up. As he would say “show em who you be”.
Congratulations to our Transferring and Graduating Mentees including:
| Devin Mitchell graduated from CSU San Bernardino. | Alonzo Harvey graduated from San Diego City College and got accepted to UC Berkley. | Rafael Henriquez graduated from Pasadena City College and will be attending CSU Sacramento. |
Mentee Program Workshops During COVID-19
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the A²MEND Mentor Program has maintained programming with mentees through social media and Zoom webinars. Dr. Abdimalik Buul hosted a Canvas workshop and arranged for his colleagues at San Diego City College to host two much needed workshops according to the mentees. The first was a LinkedIn-Networking and Gaining Employment workshop facilitated by Sasha Knox, a Job Placaement Coordinator from SDCC. The second workshop was titled “Maintaining Your Mental Health in the midst of COVID-19 by Selam Gebrekristos, a NextUP Coordinator/Counselor at SDCC. These workshops were well-attended by the A²MEND Executive Board Members and mentees.
In June, a handful of mentees participated in the “Unplugged & Unscripted, A Student Perspective” webinar to address issues that are impacting our young Black Males in their perspective communities in the wake of the George Floyd killing. In July, the mentees were given the assignment to read the Malcolm X Autobiography and discuss their thoughts in a 3-part Zoom discussion. Malcolm’s life really addressed many issues that our country is still wrestling with today. As a result, our meetings were very intense and insightful.
For questions, please contact Brett Kennedy at a2mendmentees@gmail.com.
Student Essay Winner: “What Does Black Excellence Mean to You?”by Da’monik Millan
When looking at Black excellence, to me it’s about making the decision to use each day as an opportunity to be better by making small strides to make a difference in people’s lives. It is also important to add that with every act of kindness, I grow and become more and more selfless. No need to pay attention to my own accolades when I want to see every single person shine. We, just as our ancestors, need to pave the way and create opportunities for others to succeed and not focus on elevating ourselves. I am not interested in looking to receive credit but because I am motivated by the idea that I as an individual am not successful if the rest of my people are still struggling.
As I sit back and think about how far I have come, it has been a very incredible push to move towards the beginning stages of success as I move forward in my educational endeavor. I am very proud of not just myself, but the community help that exists on our campus at Cosumnes River College. As I start to transition on to a university, I deeply appreciate each professor and dean who has truly helped me during the duration of my time at Cosumnes River College. Over the course of my three active years of being a part of A2MEND, this has not just benefitted me from a scholastic perspective but spiritually, emotionally and educationally. As president of Cosumnes River Colleges’ student charter, the activities that I have participated in are community service projects with local churches and business, also volunteering at a local elementary/middle school with the youth, mentoring youth in afterschool programs, and coaching youth basketball teams. What I have found to be most instrumental in my success is being inspired by my brothers and fellow mentees of A2MEND. Brothers that are motivated with ambition and drive to be successful and push for the best grades possible. As for my academic success, what helps me be successful as a student is being able to maintain a positive attitude while pushing to excel in every area possible including spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. My academic goals for the next three years start here as I go on obtain both my Associates Degrees in Arts & Humanities and Sociology in May, transfer in the fall to a Sacramento State University and obtain my bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
Start an A2MEND Student Charter on Your Campus
The A²MEND Student Charters provide a student support structure that establishes an affirming environment where African American male students and other men of color are able to thrive. Student Charters aim to improve academic success, develop culturally competent student leaders, reaffirm African/African American cultural traditions, create awareness around issues of social justice and foster a culture of positive peer pressure.
If you are interested in starting a Charter on your campus, visit www.a2mend.org.
SAVE-THE-DATE
March 4-5, 2021
2021 A2MEND ANNUAL AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE SUMMIT
More information will be posted on www.a2mend.org.