AAFE 2022 Year in Review

African American Female Excellence (AAFE) is the first district-wide initiative in the nation of it’s kind. AAFE makes OUSD the first school district ever to focus on the specific upliftment and support of Black girls as a city-wide strategy. Part of OUSD’s Office of Equity, AAFE currently serves over 300 girls in multiple Elementary, Middle & High Schools across Oakland. 

AAFE provides daily Black girl-centered classes & weekly girls groups, which are integrated into the core-school day, in addition to providing city-wide programs and  events. AAFE is actively revolutionizing the way public educational institutions serve Black students in Oakland. 

 As we have launched into 2023 we wanted to share a look into some of the good things AAFE has accomplished so far. We are so proud of our students and teachers who make AAFE shine!

“AAFE extends a huge thank you to all our students, families, staff and especially teachers for going above and beyond to ensure opportunities & enrichment are accessible to our young Queens.

Thank you for your support of AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE EXCELLENCE! ASE!!!” AAFE has had an incredible journey so far and we are excited for all that is to come! 

Queen Iminah & AAFE Staff 

The Alliance for Girls conference was a powerful opportunity to connect with hundreds of girls, champions and service providers, as well as learn best practices and to hear from influential leaders on how to advance racial and gender equity. Students joined other participants in designing a live mural illustrating the conference themes and the creation of zines, where their words and ideas can come to life the themes of:

AAFE 22-23 School Year Kickoff! 

To support a great start to this school year, African American Female Excellence (AAFE) was graced with a wonderful field trip opportunity for 5th-8th grade African American female students, from our very own Golden State Warriors. 

AAFE was invited to an exclusive literacy focused event at the Deyoung museum on Wednesday August 10th. 

170+ 5th-9th grade African American female students from 8 OUSD schools attended. The event featured a “reading rally” of fun, literacy focused activities and a museum tour of the Faith Ringgold: American People Exhibit! 

February is Black History Month, which honors the wealth & impact of African American history, heritage and culture on modern civilization. Black History Month is celebrated annually in the Oakland Unified School District, around the nation and world.  

Black History Month evolved from “Negro History Week”, which was established by Carter G. Woodson in 1926, at a time when racism permeated all aspects of mainstream American society. During the 1920’s & for the majority of U.S history, all major educational & historical institutions promoted the belief that Black/African American people had any history or culture. This notion is still represented in the absence of African history,culture & contributions in major educational paradigms. The celebration of Black History Month helps to ensure that African Americans & all cultures learn the ancient, inspirational, impactful and deep history of Africa and the African diaspora in America. February is a time of revitalization, revival & empowerment to continue learning, teaching & sharing Black history, culture & cultural contributions every month of the year.

OUSD is celebrating Black History Month 2022 with the theme, “Black Futures Rising.” In the face of the extreme challenges the Covid-19 Global Pandemic has brought, in addition to many long-standing issues our communities are facing, it is imperative to use ancestral inspiration to uplift our mental, physical, spiritual, cultural, financial, emotional, social and academic health.

Sankofa! Learning from the power of our past, to move forward rising in our future. 

Ase!