Since its founding in 2005, the African American Male Education Network and Development (A2MEND) organization has grown from an organization that identified the main component of their mission to “create an affirming academic and professional environment for African-Americans,” to an organization that is actively achieving this mission through providing workshops and presentations throughout California and the United States. Through this outreach, A2MEND aims to engage students, faculty, administrators and student services personnel in addressing the many significant issues and obstacles facing Black males in higher education today.
On Feb. 29, four A2MEND members traveled to Merritt Community College in Oakland, Calif., to present workshops to both student and employee groups. The student workshop focused on the “Five Essential GOALS” necessary to effectively navigate the waters of higher education. These GOALS present students with five tools to better understand the specific needs of the Black male student, as well as five student learning outcome objectives to apply to their own journey through college and beyond. The focus of the employee workshop provided information on institutional factors that assist in “Bridging the Gap” to achievement for Black males.
The student group in attendance included a diverse range of students from varying racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, age and gender groups. An assessment conducted at the end of the workshop measured students’ understanding of the student learning outcomes presented to them. The results show that students from all backgrounds benefited from the workshop and were given the skills to increase communication with individuals on their campus. In addition, the results of the assessment showed that in all five GOALS categories over 70 percent of the students in attendance could identify the intended outcome, with questions ranging from financial aid procedures to remembering the GOAL acronym.
The feedback portion of the assessment from students was both humbling and inspiring, and clearly proved that A2MEND is meeting the intended goals of their mission. Over 99 percent of respondents indicated that more Black males in college should hear this information or attend this workshop.
Insights gained from students through the workshop were clear and articulate; when students were asked to explain why the workshop was useful to them replies included: “Because it motivated me to stay in school after I complete my two years in community college” and “Because this info empowers you to strive and go farther and harder than you ever had. It also lets you know what you’re up against.” The globally applicable foundation of knowledge students gain from the practical experience provided in this workshop is proving to be essential to student success and understanding of Black males in higher education.
The Summit
On March 19, Coastline Community College and A2MEND co-hosted the first annual African American Male Summit: A Critical Examination of Institutional Barriers in Community Colleges. The event was comprised of four inter-related strands: the administrative strand, faculty/instructional strand, student support strand, and student strand; which allowed participants from various educational roles to discuss the important issues facing Black males in education from their own unique vantage points. The goal of this collaboration was to effectively uncover the barriers to education for Black males, and was achieved through the dialogue and discussion that took place at the conference.
