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.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

300+ Educators Journey Back to Ghana for 2nd Biennial All-African Diaspora Educators Summit

LOS ANGELES, CA, August 26, 2024 – In a continued effort to reshape education for the African diaspora, A²MEND and over 300 educators from across the United States will gather for the second Biennial All-African Diaspora Education Summit (ADES) in Ghana.

The Summit, taking place from September 27 to October 6, 2024, will be hosted in Accra and Cape Coast, Ghana. The theme for the 2024 summit, “Colonization to Sovereignty: The Future of Educating the African Diaspora – 2022-2032,” reflects a critical and bold vision for the future of education centered on African sovereignty, self-determination, and liberation.

“This summit is more than just a gathering — it is a return to our roots, a reclamation of our narrative, and a powerful statement that African-centered education is essential to our future,” said Herbert English, A²MEND president and dean of Counseling and Specially Funded Programs at Riverside City College. “We are not only educating minds but also liberating souls. ADES is where we come together to honor our ancestors and forge a new path for the generations to come.”

Building on the success of the 2022 ADES, which brought together educators from the U.S. and Africa for the first time, this year’s summit will continue to explore how African-centered education is a vital tool for empowering Black people globally. The summit provides a platform to address key questions: How can we most effectively implement an educational structure that centers the history, traditions, philosophy, and lived experiences of Black people? Who were we before they came?

“Last year’s Summit laid the foundation for a global dialogue on how we educate the African diaspora,” said Dr. Edward Bush, president of Cosumnes River College and A²MEND president-elect. “This work is vital because education is our most powerful weapon in the fight for sovereignty and self-determination. We must continue to ask the hard questions about our past and envision a future that is truly our own.”

The Summit invites K-12 teachers, community college faculty, administrators, policymakers, and educational advocates to collectively design and advance strategies for Black students’ success. ADES 2024 will explore how African-centered pedagogy can serve as a foundation for controlling resources, amplifying the contributions of Black people, and reimagining educational practices.

ADES 2024 will offer an immersive professional development opportunity, allowing African American educators to reconnect with the ancestral homeland of African people. By exploring both the historical and contemporary context of education in Africa, participants will engage in transformative dialogue and collaboration that nurtures a vision of educational sovereignty.

“I support the ADES Summit because it offers educators an invaluable opportunity to learn, heal, and grow in the very land where our history began,” said Dr. Ricky Shabazz, A²MEND board member and president of San Diego City College. “The work we do here helps us dismantle systems of oppression, reimagine education, and ultimately uplift Black students worldwide. This is not just a conference — it’s a movement.”

For those interested in supporting this transformative event, sponsorship opportunities are available. To learn more, please visit https://www.thesummit.info/sponsors or email us at assist@execuconnect.org.

About A²MEND:

A²MEND (African American Male Education Network & Development) is committed to advancing educational success for Black students through professional development, advocacy, and mentorship. Their mission is to implement African-centered solutions that foster liberation and equity in educational spaces.

Media Contacts:

Edward Bush, Ph.D.

President, Cosumnes River College

bushe@crc.losrios.edu

916.691.7321

Ricky Shabazz, Ed.D.

President, San Diego City College

rshabazz@sdccd.edu

619.388.3453

July 13, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOS ANGELES – July 13, 2023 – The board of the African American Male Education Network & Development (A2MEND) organization is proud to announce that Dr. Amanuel Gebru has been selected as the next president of Los Angeles City College (LACC). He will begin his new role at the oldest of the Los Angeles Community Colleges in August.

Dr. Gebru currently served as the president of A 2MEND, which is a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure the interest and success of African American students, faculty, staff, and administrators at California’s community colleges. During his tenure as president, executive director, and board member of A 2MEND, he has helped to secure several millions of dollars in grant funding and unrestricted funds to carry out the organization’s mission.

A2MEND has collaborated and built partnerships with funders such as the Ballmer Group, College Future’s Foundation, RSS Consulting, CREAL, and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO). The organization has also provided over $1 million in direct student aid, educational cultural excursions, and mentorship that has yielded successful transfer and graduation rates among African American male students. Known as a galvanizing and collaborative leader, Dr. Gebru also oversaw the elevation of A2MEND international and global outreach with its cultural excursion program and study abroad to Africa, both for students and professionals. Both personally and professionally, Dr. Gebru is committed to building relationships, identifying resource needs, and securing partnerships that will help to sustain the college’s mission. His term as A2MEND president ended on July 1.

Dr. Gebru’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is widespread. The announcement of his presidency was met with overwhelming support and congratulations from some of the premier equity and advocacy organizations and leaders in higher education from across the state.

“The Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (FACCC) is honored to extend our congratulations to Dr. Amanuel Gebru on his appointment as President of Los Angeles City College,” said Wendy Brill-Wynkoop, president of FACCC. “Through his work with the A 2MEND organization, Dr. Gebru has demonstrated exceptional leadership in uplifting, supporting, and mentoring young African American males in higher education. The outcomes of this work demonstrate that guidance and mentorship can empower marginalized students and improve student success rates. We look forward to seeing the positive impact he will have on the college and the wider community it serves.”

“On behalf of Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE), I extend congratulations to our colleague and equity champion, Dr. Amanuel Gebru, on his selection as Los Angeles City College’s next permanent president,” said Dr. Rowena M. Tomaneng, president of APAHE and San José City College. “We have long been inspired by Dr. Gebru’s dedication and commitment to increasing higher education access and student success for men of color, particularly African American and Latinx men, two student populations that significantly declined in enrollment across California Community Colleges during the pandemic. We also look forward to his continued leadership with A 2MEND (African American Male Education Network and Development), our COALITION partners in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism across our system.”

“We’re so proud of Dr. Amanuel Gebru selected as the new president of Los Angeles City College,” said Dr. Cynthia Olivo, president of COLEGAS and Fullerton College. “We have known and worked with him for many years in different leadership capacities from student services to instructional dean to executive leadership in community colleges. He is a trusted leader, a champion for social justice and liberation, and Dr. Gebru is the leader the community deserves, who will ensure student needs are central to the daily business of the college. As a leader in A2MEND, a member of The Coalition, we are so overjoyed about Amanuel starting his new presidency. Felicidades!”

“Dr. Gebru represents the new type of leadership that our system needs,” said Dr. Edward Bush, president of Cosumnes River College and co-founder of A2MEND. “Dr. Gebru is an inclusive, unapologetic leader who is laser-focused on creating an equitable and just learning environment for students and employees. I am excited to witness the powerful innovative work that will emerge out of LACC under Dr. Gebru’s leadership.”

“To me Dr. Gebru has been both a big brother and father figure as my mentor since 2017,” said Amman Asfaw, A 2MEND scholar and graduate. “He’s relatable and honest like a big brother would be but yet wise and guiding like a father should be. I especially appreciate how he leads by example and in his actions. I hope students and faculty at LACC will get the chance to benefit from his leadership!”

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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.