AACS Inspiring our Youth Program

Immediate plans for youth are Holiday Gift-Giving.  Art workshops during the Christmas break and more.  Our next project will be youth led - Coming Home: Stories from Main Street.  

Another proposed program seeks to improve the academic performance of African American students in our county school system by providing an opportunity to learn of the historical grandeur of Africa, and its contribution to western civilization. Research done by noted historians and authors such as Dr. Charles Finch, Kenneth Stamp, Dr. Molefi Kete Asante, and Dr. Edward Robinson concludes that academic performance is closely linked to historical appreciation of self.

Description: AACS proposes to provide, in an after-school environment, a series of programs on African History, with a focus on the contribution of Nile Valley Africans to Western civilization. This program will be held at our facility. It would include a series of interconnected activities in music, art, architecture, literature, language, STEM and history. As a means of keeping the young people engaged, we are planning a scholarship reward for each young person completing the program. Successful completion will include sharing what each student has learned. 

Need: Dr. Asante links poor academic performance and behavioral issues in school, to extreme disorientation of our youth. Contrary to the attitude exhibited by former Sec’ry of Education, William Bland who stated “it’s a mistake to think that these kids are going to get any more interested in schools by studying more about Africa”, Dr. Charles Finch believes because we have not been taught our true history, we don’t know what we are capable of. He says we must “reconstruct our historical memory”.

How will this project contribute to community building? A disconnected community where youth do not feel supported, understood or represented is in jeopardy of becoming an unsafe community. We hope to become a facilitator of community connection by investing in our youth. After-school programs that bring together youth, parents, teachers, residents and community leaders and organizations are vital in building strong, supportive communities. Participation in after-school programs has been shown to improve school attendance and academic performance. In addition to that, our program is geared toward building relationships, a sense of pride in self, confidence, understanding and respect for others. Success will mean that our young people become productive adults and role models for other youth in the community. 

How does your project /organization serve historically underserved or marginalized persons or groups? AACS educates the greater community on disparities and the rich history and culture of people of color, promoting pride in self, providing volunteer experiences, advocating for community building through activities that serve, and by supporting opportunities to create positive change. AACS is committed to improving relations between all people by promoting a greater understanding of the people of underserved or marginalized persons or groups through the programs we provide, and by communicating truths about our shared history. Researchers have noted that participation in organized activities such as mentoring and after school programs can support positive development in youth. For example, Spencer and Liang (2009) found that at-risk youth cognitive, emotional, and social growth improve with participation in mentoring programs.

Project Outcomes:
AACS proposes an approach that inspires youth ages 10 - 14 to perform to the very best of their ability. Number of youth will be 20-30. Youth selected for the program will come via application through the Flagler County Schools. We won’t discriminate, however the parents must understand that youth will be provided with an Afro-Centric view of the world in their activities. The program will be geared toward benefiting all youth regardless of race. The focus will be to aid in educating all youth to become better citizens and individuals who are able to make informed decisions, important contributions to society, and be successful in a rapidly changing, diverse world. Programs that focused on African history and cultural identity: Shula Mandela Academy – 100% high school graduation rate. Dr. Edward Robinson’s African Genesis – Increased academic proficiency, Higher SAT scores, reduced absences, reduced disruptive behavior, reduced tardiness, and a college enrollment rate of 97.2%.