Da’Monik Millan: Leading with Purpose

Since graduating from Sacramento State University in May, Da’Monik Millan has been busier than ever. He’s been putting his sociology degree to good use by holding three jobs in his career field. He serves as a part-time school intervention staff assistant for the Sacramento City Unified School District while dually working for the district’s nonprofit partner, HAWK Institute. He also holds a part-time job working with youth for the City of Sacramento.

Although a recent college graduate, Millan is long known in the A²MEND community since he played a major role in planting the organization’s first student charter in Northern California. While a student at Consumnes River College in 2015, he was handpicked by A²MEND co-founder Dr. Edward Bush to help open the organization’s first student charter at the campus – and ultimately lead it. As the college’s president, Dr. Bush made an affirming impression on Millan, who accepted his challenge of leading A²MEND’s new student charter on campus. “Dr. Bush told me how they’re trying to help transition Black male students to higher levels of education while also creating a space for Black males to have a dependency on learning and accountability,” said Millan. “That made me think about doing something new and pushing myself to the next level.”

A²MEND debuted its first student charter on the Consumnes River College campus the following year. Through word of mouth, what started as a group of eight student charter members quickly grew to nearly 40 members by the end of its first year. The new student charter was also instrumental in planting other student charters at a number of community colleges throughout Northern California.

Millan, whose parents and younger brother served in the military, is the first member of his family to graduate from college. He says that A²MEND’s leadership encouraged him to pursue his master’s degree in sociology so he can begin his career path of becoming a professor. He also hopes to one day elevate his involvement in A²MEND by joining the organization’s board. “A²MEND helped me transition into manhood and lead more with a purpose,” he said. “I’m learning how to be a leader by being led at the same time.”