The Office of African American Male Achievement (AAMA)
"Success is seen as being famous or rich. We only talk about Black Excellence in relation to people like Obama, but by doing so, we are limiting that definition to 'I need to be a famous athlete or President of the U.S.' to be successful. Black Excellence, is also having a normal life, feeling like you are part of the community…"
- Seattle Public Schools Student
AAMA at a Glance
AAMA's Mission
The Office of African American Male Achievement (AAMA) works to ensure that the educational environment across the system supports the brilliance and excellence of Black boys and teens. In alignment with Seattle Excellence, the district's strategic plan and collective commitment to unapologetically support and serve students and families furthest from educational justice, AAMA is committed to the long journey required for the positive transformation of SPS, and has been working to achieve that vision every day since its founding in 2019. Seattle Public Schools is the first district in Washington state, and one of the few across the nation, to create an office that intentionally cultivates the cultural and academic strengths of African American male students while simultaneously addressing their needs.
Student-written Feature Stories
August: Historically Black Colleges and Universities Virtual Tour
Trevon: COVID-19 Planning Committees
Ajala: "Nothing About Us Without Us"
How AAMA Works
AAMA is a driver of systemic change, not a program. By listening to the experiences and solutions of students and inviting engagement from families and the greater community, AAMA works to dismantle the systemic racism embedded in the public education system. AAMA works with Black boys and teens to reconstruct school systems and structures to meet their unique needs, advance public education as a tool for transformation and liberation, and create a strong learning environment that attends to the social, emotional, and educational needs of students. We are actively becoming an anti-racist educational system. By ensuring Black male students thrive, conditions will improve for all students in Seattle Public Schools