Vision
The vision of ABEN is to develop, support and sustain a national network of schools, churches, non-profit organizations, educators (broadly defined), researchers, parents, corporations, foundations and others to serve thousands of students through Saturday STEM Academies and related education and cultural programs and activities to ensure that Black students reach their full potential.
More specifically, we seek to work with partners who are committed to moving toward the provision of African-centered education — to the degree possible within any given environment.
The vision of ABEN is to develop, support and sustain a national network of schools, churches, non-profit organizations, educators (broadly defined), researchers, parents, corporations, foundations and others to serve thousands of students through Saturday STEM Academies and related education and cultural programs and activities to ensure that Black students reach their full potential.
More specifically, we seek to work with partners who are committed to moving toward the provision of African-centered education — to the degree possible within any given environment.
Mission
To assist our children and youth in reaching their full potential by facilitating academic and cultural excellence wherever they are, using culturally informed research, technology, visionary parent education and networking in our communities here and in diaspora contexts.
To assist our children and youth in reaching their full potential by facilitating academic and cultural excellence wherever they are, using culturally informed research, technology, visionary parent education and networking in our communities here and in diaspora contexts.
Core Values
Provide specificity to the ABEN agenda and include the urgent need:
Provide specificity to the ABEN agenda and include the urgent need:
- To ensure equitable access to opportunities for learning and the utilization of resources;
- For respect/support of the multiple identities and "verve" expressed by Black students;
- For high quality student outcomes including mastery of 21st century skills in STEM subjects; critical thinking and problem solving; communications and collaboration; creativity and innovation; digital literacy; information and communication technologies; and social/emotional intelligence;
- For social justice and a frontal attack on the effects of prolonged and persistent racism on American society, in general, and on Black students in particular;
- For instruction on African/African American history and culture, in all schools, that is historically accurate and culturally responsive, with emphasis on the past and current cultural, religious, economic, political and psychological experiences of Black men and women;
- For equitable, appropriate, high quality instructional support during and beyond the school day;
- For independent efforts in Black communities that are systematic and ongoing, including community sponsored in-and out-of-school educational activities that provide a safe haven for family engagement, facilitate teaching/ learning about the cultural contributions of neighborhoods and community leaders where schools reside, and to help eliminate family trauma;
- To reach out and serve the needs and interests of Black parents by re-enforcing their identities and values;
- For Black organizations and cultural centers, including churches, that raise the critical race consciousness of Black people and instill ethnic pride/ identity, especially related to the role of the human spirit in the survival of our people;
- For Black parents, other citizens serving as tutors, volunteer teachers, paid aides, and community activists in schools/cultural centers to assist with the implementation of ABEN core values.
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