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.

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.

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).

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.

In its mission to embolden Black male student success at California’s community colleges, A²MEND held its 15^th 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.

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.