A²MEND Informational Deck www.a2mend.org 1
A²MEND BOARD MEMBERS Dr. Byron Breland Chancellor, San Jose-Evergreen College District Dr. Edward Bush President, Cosumnes River College Dr. Amanuel Gebru Vice President of Student Services, Moorpark College Dr. Dyrell Foster Vice President of Student Services, Moreno Valley College Dr. Ricky Shabazz President, San Diego City College Dr. Erin Vines Vice President of Student Services, Antelope Valley College Herb English Dean of Student Equity and Success, Victor Valley College Trevor Brackett Professor, Counseling, Norco College Dr. Terence Elliott Professor of Humanities/ Philosophy & Music, Diablo Valley College Dr. Walter Jones Dean of Academic Affairs, West Los Angeles College Dr. Murrell Green Professor, Counseling, West Los Angeles College Dr. Scott Thayer Vice President of Student Services, San Bernardino Valley College 2
OUR HISTORY In the summer of 2006, six young (5 of the 6 were under the age of 35), emerging African American male administrators attended an annual professional development conference for new college administrators at the University of California Los Angeles. Upon their arrival, six attendees, whom had never met quickly realized that their meeting was not just coincidence, but that divine intervention had brought them together for a purpose larger than themselves and their respective positions in college administration. At the conference there was a dialogue about the difficulties facing African American males in general and in higher education specifically. During this conversation, they realized that very few people were specifically addressing these issues facing African American males. It seemed that this was an issue that was overdue for action. That s when they asked themselves, if we don t do something about it, then who will? And if we don t do something about it now, will anyone ever do something about it? Initially, they decided to get together as a support group that would allow each member to address the unique experiences they were facing as young African American Male Administrators. However, the members realized that the potential of A²MEND was much larger- to improve the educational and professional outlook of African American males in higher education in general and community colleges specifically. Today, A²MEND is working with colleges throughout the country to provide an affirming academic and professional environment for African Americans with a particular focus on African American male students, faculty, staff, and administrators. 3
I wanted to become an A²MEND mentee so that I could feel apart of something that resembled me and my struggle. I got to see what individuals were capable of, individuals that looked and sounded like me. This was the first time that I had ever been exposed to successful, educated and positive men and women of color supporting one another. I wanted to be apart of that. -Mentee, 2018-2019 Cohort 4
OUR MISSION African American Male Education Network and Development (A²MEND) organization is a non-profit organization comprised of African American male administrators who utilize their scholarly and professional expertise to foster institutional change within the community college system. We aim to create an affirming academic and professional environment for African Americans with a particular focus on African American male students, faculty, staff, and administrators. 5
OUR VISION To promote research and discovery in the area of African American male academic achievement in the community colleges. Research will also include an examination of the African American male schooling experiences in both secondary and four-year postsecondary institutions. 6
MENTEE PROGRAM The A²MEND Mentor Program provides support, guidance, professional development, and networking opportunities for A²MEND members as well as students enrolled within the community college system. A²MEND mentees are assigned to an administrator who has demonstrated expertise, leadership and scholarship within the California Community College system, and are committed to the personal development, professional growth and academic success of African American males. Mentees also have the opportunity to network with other mentees and mentors within the program through various personal and professional development programs and social activities. 7
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM The A²MEND scholarship program provides mentees with financial support for tuition, books, and living expenses. The scholarship is awarded to students who excel in academic achievement, artistic abilities, demonstrated leadership and/or athletic talents, or who are in particular fields of study members of underrepresented groups, or demonstrate financial need. 8
STUDENT CHARTERS The aim of the A2MEND student chapter is to improve academic success and to develop culturally competent servant student leaders. The student chapter of A2MEND is further designed to develop competent life skills, reaffirm the value of the African/African American cultural traditions, create awareness around issues of social justice, build grit, promote professionalism, and foster a culture of positive peer pressure. The student chapter of A2MEND will provide educational, cultural, social, and intellectual programs that promote positivity and brotherhood among its members. 9
A²MEND made me realize that I had to step up and contribute more to my community. After the conference, I began attending A²MEND Student Charter meetings and our advisor introduced us to the Student Equity Gap and I was so intrigued that I started doing my own research. I realized that there is a bigger issue larger than me that affects all students especially African Americans. Ever since then I've been trying to figure out how could I contribute to minimizing the student equity gap? -A²MEND Student Charter Member 10
2018 CULTURAL EXCURSION TRIP TO AFRICA When A²MEND took us mentees to Africa, I saw the origin of life and learned of the significant figures that shaped my history. This experience alone made me feel 100 times better about my worth and it provided clarity to my purpose in life. 11
What has shaped me? There are so many things, trials, setbacks, chance meetings, and blessings that I ve been through that have made who I am today. The world has tried to grind down my soul, my humanity, and my self image, to a point that I can no longer see myself as a complete person. They want me to see myself as broken and incomplete. But I am one of the fortunate ones to have had God place people in my life at the most opportune times, people that have more pressing and self-serving issues in their lives, but still they take the time to stop and give me words of affirmation and constant physical and mental support. The men of A²MEND are my brothers and they have been there for me more than anyone else has in my life. I owe them for my successes. Without them and my faith, I would not have been able to escape the bondage that the world had me in. -Mentee, 2018-2019 Cohort 12
CONFERENCES & TRAININGS A²MEND hosts an annual African American Male Summit Conference each spring to bring together policy makers, trustees, administrators, superintendents, faculty and teachers, staff, and current students in college and high schools, to identify the barriers that African-American Men face in community colleges today, discuss best and promising practices, and implementation strategies. Additional trainings will be offered in partnership with local, state, national and international organizations in support of our mission. 13
SCHOLARSHIP & AWARDS DINNER WILLIAM ALLEN YOUNG (Master of Ceremony) His acting career includes starring roles in the Academy Award-nominated film, A Soldier s Story, and in Women of Brewster Place, The Atlanta Child Murders, Simple Justice, Sins, Lock Up, and In the Belly of the Beast, and the award-winning Lifetime series Any Day Now. The Scholarship & Awards Dinner is held during the Annual Conference. At this dinner, A²MEND honors its student mentees and recognizes those whose leadership and work are aligned with the organization s mission to support African American male students. Funds raised from the dinner support student scholarships. 14
2019 ANNUAL CONFERENCE Protecting Our Throne: Building on Black Identity to Create Academic Success March 6-8, 2019 Hyatt Regency Los Angeles Int. Airport 15
PAST CONFERENCE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Angela Rye (2018) Roland Martin (2018) Dr. Marc Lamont Hill (2017) Dr. Michael Eric Dyson (2017) 16
2019 CONFERENCE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Bakari Sellers made history in 2006 when, at just 22 years old, he defeated a 26-year incumbent State Representative to become the youngest member of the South Carolina state legislature and the youngest African American elected official in the nation. In 2014 he was the Democratic Nominee for Lt. Governor in the state of South Carolina. His impressive list accomplishment in addition to having served on President Barack Obama's South Carolina steering committee during the 2008 election, Sellers is widely considered to be a rising star within the Democratic Party and leading voice for his generation. That coupled with his uncommon ability to reach across the aisle and get things done has led to numerous accolades including being named to TIME Magazine s 40 Under 40 in 2010 as well as 2014 and 20015 The Root 100 list of the nation s most influential African-Americans. He has served as a featured speaker at events for the National Education Association, College Democrats of America National Convention, the 2008 and 2016 Democratic National Convention. 17
2019 CONFERENCE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Dr. Daniel E. Walker is a filmmaker, scholar, social entrepreneur, and public speaker whose films include When Roosters Crow, Sol Brothers, The Ten, and Let s Have Church. The founder/director of the Long Beach Indie International Film Festival, one of the world s top ranked film festivals, he is the author of the acclaimed book No More, No More: Slavery and Cultural Resistance in Havana, a producer on KCET s Emmy Award-winning series Artbound, and executive producer of numerous works of Honduran playwright Rickerby Hinds. A professor of history at El Camino College, he is the founder and curator of the Gospel Music History Archive at the USC Digital Library and for more than a decade served as a research associate at USC s Center for Religion and Civic Culture. His major exhibitions include; Sunshine and Central commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 1992 Los Angeles rebellion (USC Sol Price Center for Social Innovation) and How Sweet the Sound: Gospel Music in Los Angeles (California African American Museum). 18
2019 PRE-CONFERENCE STRANDS Student College Fair Community Colleges, Historically Black Colleges and State Universities Will Be in Attendance. Students are Encouraged to Bring Official Transcripts. On-site Admissions for HBCUs Will be Available. Job Fair This Fair Provides an Opportunity to Meet with Community College Human Resources Officers & Representatives to Get Information on Job Openings State-wide. Women s Leadership Institute Topics Focus on Essential Leadership Development for Women Participants Internal Strengths as well as External Contextual Intelligence in Higher Education that are Necessary for Leadership Success. 19
@A2MEND www.facebook.com/a2mend/ @A2MEND2006 CONTACT FOR PARTNERSHIPS: Elaine Reodica a2mendpartnerships@gmail.com 20