Join A²MEND as we bring together Black male college students and educators to help find innovative ways to increase the success of Black male students in California’s community college system. The summit’s theme, The Ausar Project: Resurrecting Black Male Success, will cultivate the importance of reestablishing Black male success in community colleges and in communities as a whole. To learn more about Ausar, please visit here. The summit will take place March 1-3 at the Hyatt Regency LAX in Los Angeles. To register, please visit here.

Also, A²MEND invites administrators, researchers, staff, faculty and nonprofit/community leaders to submit workshop proposals for the annual summit. Proposals will be judged on their relevance to the strands, content, quality, applicability and overall connection to issues affecting African American male students and how these strategies related to the conference theme. All proposals should include clearly stated student/participant learning outcomes addressing the salient information students/participants should leave with as a result of attending the session. All proposals must be postmarked by January 13, 2023 in order to be accepted for review and consideration.

For questions or assistance with the workshop proposals, please contact ExecU Connect at reg@execuconnect.org or you may call the Event Management Team at (213) 547-2233. All proposals must be submitted here: CALL FOR PROPOSALS 2023 (google.com)

During last month’s All African Diaspora Education Summit in Ghana, A²MEND’s executive board members made a financial commitment to acquiring 3.3 acres of land in the country. The parcel of land is nestled in the Kanka/Dutch Komenda District located in the Cape Coast region of Ghana. The organization plans to utilize the property to build the A²MEND Racial Trauma and Wellness Treatment Center to provide a healing space where African American students and educators can be themselves and affirm who they are in a safe environment.

A²MEND’s executive board members envision hosting conferences at the future treatment center to invite California Community College staff and faculty as well as other educators there to address how to better educate Black students in California. The treatment center will also welcome students and mentors visiting the country as part of A²MEND’s Africa Study Abroad Program. Additionally, the space will be used to host formerly incarcerated college students who have few societal options but can experience a level of freedom at the treatment center.

To support A²MEND in their endeavor to build this extraordinary treatment center, please add your name and contact information to the Capital Campaign for A²MEND’s Racial Trauma and Wellness Treatment Center by visiting here. A²MEND will remain in touch about how you and your network can help the organization materialize this dream on behalf of the futures of young Black men.

In his first year in a master’s program at San Diego State University, 24-year-old Ebenezer Ezenwa has already set his sights on earning a doctorate in counseling to better prepare him for a career in the mental health field. Ezenwa, a first generation American whose parents were born in Africa, received two associate degrees at Norco College before transferring to UC Riverside, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in African American Studies. We recently caught up with Ezenwa to discuss his illustrious educational journey and how A²MEND has positively impacted his collegiate experience along the way.

A²MEND:

How has your family and upbringing influenced you to get a college education?

Ezenwa:

My parents are immigrants from Nigeria. They definitely wanted something better for their kids. They encouraged me and my three older brothers to keep going in education. Everything I’m doing right now – I’m trailblazing in a sense for my family.

A²MEND:

How did you first learn about A²MEND and their mentoring program?

Ezenwa:

An A²MEND mentor spoke at one of my classes at Norco College. He asked for students to write an essay and make a five-minute presentation if they wanted to get involved. It was a good chance to get some mentorship. So I wrote the essay – I was the only one in the class to do it. It’s been rewarding ever since. I’d do it over again and again.

A²MEND:

What activities did you get involved in with A²MEND?

Ezenwa:

A²MEND showed me new horizons. They took me to Ethiopia and Dubai – that was my first time ever out of the country. They brought me to conferences, and they helped me network with individuals in my respective field. On top of that, they have fun excursions, like the Lakers and Clippers games. And their scholarships have helped me pay for resources.

A²MEND:

How has A²MEND made a difference in your experience as a college student?

Ezenwa:

On top of the events and educational support, A²MEND showed me that they’re leaders in their own communities. They showed me a different side of life by how to achieve more for myself. Going after my master’s and doctorate were my own goals, but A²MEND showed me how to make that path possible and how to walk into that path.

More than 600 educators and thought leaders congregated at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana last month to participate in the All African Diaspora Education Summit. Co-sponsored by A²MEND, the summit was organized to create a dynamic, unprecedented space and opportunity for educators to freely and unapologetically reimagine how they teach and serve Black students. The summit, which featured globally renowned African centered practitioners and scholars, enabled attendees to network and engage in liberatory practices to ensure deep reflection and create reinvigorated action.

Here are just two testimonials among the hundreds of educators who expressed how participating in the summit was a transformational experience.

“The All African Diaspora Educational Summit was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and opportunity. I have reflected, unpacked and shared various moments of this trip and conference with students, colleagues, family and friends. The words that encapsulate the essence of my experience have been that of a holistic catharsis.

“The summit provided a combination of academic, cultural and historical enlightenment with great speakers, breakout sessions, cultural tours, excursions and fellowship that provided a visceral release and opportunity for generational healing. The connection to our ancestors was spiritual — whether the trip to the slave dungeons at Cape Coast Castle or being able to pay homage to my heavenly family by inscribing their names on the Wall of Return.

“There was heavy energy everywhere and an overwhelming sense of emotional connection and rejuvenation. I am forever changed by this intellectual, spiritual and cultural exchange that has planted stronger seeds of Pan-Africanism and hope that I will take with me as I apply this experience to my praxis and leadership in serving Black scholars in their higher educational journey. I am immensely grateful to A²MEND and LACCD leadership for my participation in this life-changing opportunity.”

Dr. Elliott Coney, Los Angeles Valley College

“The summit has been life changing. No hatred – only love, only acceptance. I have nothing but great things to say. A²MEND – you did a wonderful job! Everything about the conference was excellent.

“I’m so amazed and changed from all of the speakers and all of the information that we received. I’m ready to get back to changing lives – simply said. I’m ready to put what I learned to work. Like many of the speakers said, it’s not about members or what you feel you need to do in a cookie-cutter way. But it’s simply about souls. And we are doing God’s work.

“Not only are we going to make things happen for our students at L.A. Trade Tech and LACCD, but we have also taken the charge of sponsoring some students at the University of Cape Coast, paying some of their tuitions, and sending them some much needed supplies.”

Dr. Dione Washington, Los Angeles Trade Technical College