A2MEND

African American Male Education Network & Development

Dr. Amanuel Gebru Selected as Next Presidentof Los Angeles City College

July 13, 2023

Download .pdf Version

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!”

###

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.

Become an A²MEND Donor This New Year

Every African American male deserves an opportunity to attend college to pursue a degree in higher education. As we begin this new year, please join A²MEND in our mission of fostering Black male success in California’s community college system. Your generous contribution will make a difference in the lives of these young men and their promising futures. Become an A²MEND contributor by donating here.

College Students Encouraged to Join an A²MEND Student Charter

A²MEND’s Student Charter Program offers a student support structure in an affirming environment where African American male students and other men of color are able to thrive. A²MEND’s student charters provide educational, cultural, social and intellectual programs that promote positivity and brotherhood among their members. The aim of A²MEND’s student charters is to improve academic success and to develop culturally competent servant student leaders.

There are more than 20 A²MEND student charters at community colleges across California. To find a A²MEND student charter at a California community college, please visit here.

Sponsorships Still Welcome: A²MEND Annual Summit

If you belong to an educational institution, nonprofit or business that is aligned with A²MEND’s mission to support the higher educational goals of African American male students, we invite you to become a sponsor for the A²MEND Annual Summit, an inspirational event taking place in Los Angeles from March 1-3, 2023.

Last year, A²MEND brought together 800+ people, 75+ educational entities and 25+ businesses at the organization’s annual summit. Sponsorships for the summit enable A²MEND to further impact lives through the organization’s mentoring programs that support the success of Black male students in California’s community college system.

Sponsorships are established on a first-come, first served basis, so become an A²MEND sponsor today. For questions and more information about becoming a sponsor of A²MEND’s Annual Summit, please contact a2mendpartners@gmail.com. To apply as an event sponsor, please visit here. 

Munir Omar: A Sense of Belonging

Munir Omar is an A²MEND activist who is a thriving student at Solano Community College. He is currently A²MEND’s student charter president as well as a bright mind in mathematics and technology.

Born in Dubai and raised in East Africa, Omar was such an excellent mathematics student that he was able to nab a coveted exchange student opportunity in the U.S. while still a young teenager. Although he was grateful to attend a high school in Northern California, Omar endured struggles as a foreign exchange student. “I was the only Black kid in my integrated mathematics theory class,” he said. “I felt unwelcomed there, like I didn’t belong.”

Munir Omar (front row, center) is joined by fellow students, faculty and staff at an A²MEND campus event.

Omar persevered, graduating with high marks before returning to his home country. He later arrived back in the U.S. to pursue his college education. During his first year at Solano Community College, he was approached by another student, Mike Young, who persuaded Omar to help him start an A²MEND student charter on campus.

Omar worked with Young to bring other students into the charter by organizing campus events that nurtured relationships among fellow Black male students in addition to faculty and staff. His student activism enabled him to feel a greater sense of “community” on campus. “A²MEND taught me that I am welcome, that I belong,” he said. “They helped me realize that being African American is my identity. That’s who I am. And I am worthy.”