A2MEND

African American Male Education Network & Development

Educators Transformed at Ghana Summit

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.

Dr. Elliott Coney greets African children at the education summit in Ghana.

“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

Dr. Elliott Coney

“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

Dr. Dione Washington

A²MEND WELCOMES EDUCATORS TO GHANA

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Media Contact: Paulette Thornton (323) 401-0406

A²MEND WELCOMES EDUCATORS TO GHANA THIS MONTH TO REIMAGINE HOW TO BETTER SERVE AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE COLLEGE STUDENTS

Historic All African Diaspora Education Summit Sept. 19-24
Provides a Purposeful Space for Inspiring Dialogue on Black Student Success

LOS ANGELES – September 9, 2022 – The African American Male Education Network & Development (A2MEND) organization has invited educators and thought leaders to the University of Cape Coast, Ghana to join them at the All African Diaspora Education Summit held September 19-24. This first-ever inaugural summit will create a dynamic, unprecedented space and opportunity for educators to freely and unapologetically reimagine how they teach and serve Black students.

A2MEND comprises African American male educators who voluntarily use their scholarly and professional expertise to foster institutional change within California’s community college system by operating mentoring programs for Black male students. A2MEND joined the Obokese Foundation and other partners in co-sponsoring the summit due to their joint belief in the vital importance of African American educators redefining their value system and bringing back to their college campuses the African way of life that is embedded in excellence as exhibited for the many generations of Ghanian culture.

“The All African Diaspora Education Summit aligns with A2MEND’s work of nurturing Black men to succeed in higher education by helping them feel a sense of brotherhood and connection with their ancestral heritage,” said Dr. Amanuel Gebru, President of A2MEND. “We hope our summit serves as a transformational experience that will help educators make an even greater impact on the lives of Black male college students.”

About 600 educators are expected to attend the summit, which will feature globally renowned African centered, liberatory practitioners and scholars. Internationally recognized keynote speakers and facilitators will enable attendees to network and engage in liberatory practices that will ensure deep reflection and create reinvigorated action. Through the summit, the organizers seek to honor the platform of the government of Ghana’s policy initiative of “Beyond the Return.” This policy initiative calls for the global African family to return to Africa to participate in the rebuilding process of connecting to their African-centric ancestry, thus restoring their cultural identity – as heritage awareness has proven to support a Black student’s educational success.

For more information about the All African Diaspora Education Summit, please visit here.

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.

A²MEND STUDENT MENTEES BECOME 2022 COLLEGE GRADUATES

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Media Contact: Paulette Thornton (323) 401-0406

A²MEND STUDENT MENTEES BECOME 2022 COLLEGE GRADUATES

More Than a Dozen A2MEND Student Mentees Earned Their College Degrees This Past Spring, With Some Furthering Their Education While Others Already Pursuing Their Careers

LOS ANGELES – June 30, 2022 – The board of the African American Male Education Network & Development (A2MEND) organization is proud to announce that 13 student mentees graduated from college this past spring. Several students who graduated with an associate’s degree are moving on to a four-year college, while others who graduated with a bachelor’s degree are continuing their education through a master’s program or have already started their careers. Regardless of their future pursuits, the students are grateful to A2MEND for their mentoring support and inspiring them to succeed during their undergraduate experience. A2MEND is led by African American male educators who voluntarily use their scholarly and professional expertise to foster institutional change within California’s community college system to increase success of Black male students.

Jason Haskins is one of the graduates who has expressed immense gratitude for A2MEND’s mentoring support. Haskins, a magna cum laude graduate of Arizona State University, first learned about A2MEND at a time when he needed it most. Weeks after getting laid off from his job, Haskins found himself living out of his car. With a young daughter to support, he decided to go to college to position himself for better career opportunities. After enrolling in Diablo Valley College, he met Dr. Eric Handy, who encouraged him to get involved in A2MEND. His connections through the organization helped him land a student job as an assistant to the college’s president. When Haskins eventually shared about his homelessness, his mentor Dr. Terrence Elliott graciously opened up his home for him to live there as he worked toward his degree.

While carrying a full academic load and working at the college, Haskins took on a second job as an Uber driver. Once he earned his associate’s degree, he transferred to Arizona State University upon receiving an Uber scholarship that paid for his full tuition. Haskins, who is continuing his education at ASU by pursuing a master’s degree in organizational leadership, plans to use his education to one day work in construction management to help builders develop affordable housing for homeless and low- income individuals. “I appreciate A2MEND for filling the void of fellowship for Black students,” said Haskins, who now is also a father to an infant son. “Organizations like A2MEND are what’s needed in our community.”

Another student mentee who is thankful for A2MEND’s presence is Cesar Orozco, who graduated with an associate’s degree in social work from Moreno Valley College. Orozco heard about A2MEND through a college counselor during his freshman year. “I was going through a lot of personal struggles and stress at the time,” he said. “I had hoped that A2MEND would help me change my life, which it did. They helped me feel like I could break free from my situation.” Today, Orozco is headed to UC Santa Barbara to study sociology. His career aspiration is to become a college counselor to help support students with similar struggles that he endured. “I want to help other students by giving them a second chance with the opportunity of an education.”

Student mentee Zaire Prewitt, who made the Dean’s List as a graduate from Moorpark College, believes that A2MEND influenced him to persevere in his studies and campus activism. Diagnosed with ADHD at an early age, Prewitt said that the stigma of the diagnosis often made him doubt himself. His sensitivity to learning led him to become a tutor for a nonprofit that mentors African American elementary and middle school students. Observing his interest in supporting students of color, one of his professors recommended that he become involved with A2MEND’s student chapter. Within months of joining the organization, he participated in A2MEND’s Study Abroad Program, where board members annually accompany student mentees on an excursion to Africa. “Going to Africa was a holistic experience,” said Prewitt. “It helped me learn how to become more patient with myself and be prepared for opportunities when they arise.” Once he returned to college as a sophomore, Prewitt put those self-discoveries into action by becoming vice president and later president of A2MEND’s student chapter while also serving as secretary of the college’s Black Student Union. “A2MEND helped me build confidence in myself,” said Prewitt, who plans to transfer to Whittier College to study marketing. “The board members of A2MEND believed in me.”

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 Contributor

Every African American male deserves an opportunity to attend college to pursue a degree in higher education. Please join A²MEND in our mission of fostering African American 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 Campus Charter

A²MEND’s Student Charter Program offers a student support structure that 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 its 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.

A²MEND is now accepting applications from colleges that are interested in establishing an A²MEND Student Charter on their campus. For more information, please email Dr. Antonio Banks at a2mendcharter@gmail.com.