December 20, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOS ANGELES, CA, December 20, 2024 – African American Male Education Network and Development (A²MEND) is thrilled to announce that UC Berkeley has become the first University of California campus and the first university in the nation to establish an A²MEND student charter. This groundbreaking achievement highlights the power of student advocacy and leadership, as the charter was spearheaded entirely by UC Berkeley students committed to supporting African American male academic success and leadership development.
“This vision of bringing A²MEND to campus has been close to my heart since my transformative experience in Zambia, Mozambique, and Botswana this summer with members of the board and my leadership academy peers,” said Henry Palmer, A²MEND student mentee. “I’m deeply honored that the board has entrusted me and my team with establishing this prestigious organization here at Berkeley. We’re eager to advance A²MEND’s mission of empowering and supporting African American male students on our campus and beyond.”
The new charter at UC Berkeley sets a precedent for higher education institutions beyond community colleges, further expanding A²MEND’s reach and impact. It reflects the university’s commitment to equity and inclusion and underscores the importance of providing a supportive community for African American male students as they navigate the challenges of higher education.
“Bringing A²MEND to UC Berkeley provides a powerful visual representation of what is possible for Black men striving to continue their academic journey at a four-year institution,” said Tadan Smith, A²MEND student mentee. “As a community college transfer myself, I am committed to helping other Black men reach their fullest academic potential while fostering a strong brotherhood and a community centered on shared experiences beyond community college.”
This student-led initiative demonstrates the strength of grassroots leadership and the belief in A²MEND’s mission. The chartering process requires institutions to showcase institutional support, resources, and strategies dedicated to empowering African American male students, as well as a formal endorsement from campus leadership. The establishment of UC Berkeley’s charter signifies an important step toward broader representation and support for students of color in university systems.
“The expansion of the A²MEND Student Charter program to the University of California, Berkeley marks a historic milestone in our mission to empower African American male students,” said Herbert L. English, President of A²MEND. “ Establishing our first charter at a four-year university demonstrates the growing recognition of the critical need for programs that foster equity, inclusion, and academic excellence. We are excited to extend our impact to UC Berkeley and look forward to supporting these scholars as they achieve their goals and build lasting legacies.”
A²MEND encourages other four-year institutions to follow UC Berkeley’s example by fostering initiatives that uplift and empower African American male students. Institutions interested in creating a charter can learn more about the application process and download the necessary forms by visiting A²MEND Student Charter Application.
For more information about A²MEND, its mission, and its expanding network of charters, visit https://a2mend.net/.
About A2MEND
The African American Male Education Network & Development (A 2MEND) 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, A 2MEND has served as the premiere nonprofit solely focused on addressing the lack of educational success for African American male students in community colleges