Update from Lifting as We Climb

There are an abundance of teachers here at the summit! I'm sitting at a table with teachers from San Lorenzo Unified and Berkeley Unified. The opening plenary started with a prayer and the singing of the Black National Anthem accompanied by a beautiful video. 

Dr. Gloria Ladson Billings, Professor of Education, University of Wisconson

and Dr. Joe Johnson, Executive Director Center for Urban School Transformation, Professor of Urban Ed., San Diego State University

opened the event with calls to change out mindset about education. Dr. Ladson Billings even challenged us to STOP using the phrase "achievement gap" and start using "education debt". African-Americans have overcome on an unequal foundation starting from the founding of our nation!

One of the threads weaving this summit together is the fact that African-Americans are a people of hope, we stand on the shoulders of a powerful and inspirational ancestry. The stories of speakers' lives shows just how much of an impact the pillars in our community have on a student's educational growth and achievement. People like you and I have an enormous task at hand to engage and challenge this next generation! 

Lifting as We Climb

Aspire and Achieve is attending the 6th Annual African American Regional Educational Alliances (AAREA) Professional Deelopment Summit: Lifting as We Climb: Honoring Our Past, Embracing the Present, Cultivating the Future

Saturday, January 31, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Oakland

Check back here for updates from this informative event! 

AAMA Report Out 1/15/15

 

A few of our LOC members attended the African American Male Achievement (AAMA) Report Out last night (Thursday, 1/15/15) at Impact Hub on Broadway. There was massive attendance! See a couple of photos below.

 

 

Students in Lamar's class.

 

 

 

 

Displays.

 

Schools from across OUSD (including Oakland Tech) presented their work and programs through the Office of AAMA.

Coming soon: video of a performance from that night!

The report is available to view here.

Connect with AAMA on various outlets here:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aamaousd
OUSD Website: http://www.ousd.k12.ca.us/Domain/78
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/African.American.Male.Achievement.AAMAOUSD

Aspire and Achieve

Purpose: beginning with African-American males we are working to increase the number of college ready graduates of color at Oakland Technical High School and beyond. A project of the Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church (LABC) Local Organizing Committee, an Oakland Community Organizations member.

About three years ago the LABC Local Organizing Committee surveyed congregants to determine an area to focus its social justice organizing efforts. 

Results of the survey:
1) Education is the top concern
2) Among LABC congregants, Oakland Tech was the #1 attended high school in the Oakland public school network 

The LABC Local Organizing Committee joined forces with St. Columba to conduct a period of research at and around Oakland Tech and how to make a lasting impact at the school - specifically decreasing the achievement gap at this prestigious school. Aspire and Achieve is the result of this research: Aspire and Achieve is a community based approach to provide wrap around services to African-American males that they may aspire to and achieve high school graduation - college ready. 

In addition to working directly with Oakland Technical High School, we are working with OUSD African American Male Achievement and Holy Names University: Department of Social Justice, Math and the Early Admit Program. Our goal is to make the necessary connections to foster a well rounded environment for students to achieve their educational goals. 

Get in touch. Follow the blog for updates or send us an email at aspireachieve.labc{at}gmail.com. 

Who we are:

Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church / Local Organizing Committee
3534 Lakeshore Avenue  |  Oakland, CA 94610
www.labcoakland.org 

Oakland Community Organizations
www.oaklandcommunity.org

Oakland Technical High School
oaklandtech.com

Holy Names University Early Admit Program
http://www.hnu.edu/financial-services/financial-aid-and-budgeting/types-undergraduate-aid/scholarships-grants/early-admissions-program

Aspire and Achieve Holiday Meet and Greet

Thanks to all who came out to the Aspire and Achieve Holiday Meet and Greet! This is the beginning of a dynamic community driven program for our future high school graduates and college admits! A special thank you to Paige for the delectable spaghetti dinner plus a brownie sundae bar! Check out pics below:

 

And, don't forget OUSD is closed tomorrow, Thursday, 12/11/14 due to severe weather predictions. Stay dry!