African Diaspora Educational Summit Transforms Fullerton College
Fullerton College recently sent a select few faculty and staff to attend the “Colonization to Sovereignty” African Diaspora Education Summit in Ghana, Africa. The summit highlighted the importance of African Centered Education (ACE) and planning between the North Orange County Community College District faculty, classified staff and students who identify as part of the African Diaspora. The summit provided an educational framework that seeks to place African people, their histories, cultures, values and perspectives at the center of the educational experience.
The experience, hosted by the African Diaspora Educational Summit (ADES), included visits to historic locations, including the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and the W.E.B. DuBois Memorial Center for Pan African Culture museums, as well as the Cape Coast and Elmina slave dungeons. Among the experiences was a visit to The Assin Manso Last Bath, a historic river. The Last Bath site serves as an ancestral sacred ground where the enslaved Africans took their last bath on African soil before they were shipped to the Cape Coast or Elmina dungeons to be sold as slaves. The last bath was an emotional experience that represented the irrevocable pain and suffering of their African ancestor. The experience also represented the legacy, strength and bond between the African Diaspora and African Americans.
“This experience has made me even more appreciative of who I am and the strength of those who came before me, especially since I’ve only been able to trace my family back four generations.” said Classified Senate President, Kesha Shadwick. “Knowing that there is so much more to my story makes me proud to carry forward their legacy.”
In Ghana, the team was also invited to experience a traditional Ghanaian naming ceremony in the Fra-Fra village. An African rite of passage, the Ghanaian naming ceremony is deeply embedded in African traditions and symbolism. The ceremony is how African families pass on culture, values and beliefs to the next generation. To conclude the traditional naming ceremony, Chief Sarki Musah Nsoh of the Joma community offered blessings for all in attendance.
“The naming ceremony was a remarkable experience. I learned about how names connect us to our tribal and spiritual roots. This was further demonstrated by the name I was given: Abotiyu’ure.” said Dean of Mathematics and Computer Science, Dr. Samuel Foster. “This name directly related to how my family identifies with me. I was so inspired by how our roots help provide context to our lives and tools to help us navigate the present and our future.”
The goal of the African Diaspora Educational Summit was to provide a reflective experiential journey for faculty and classified staff who are committed to implementing the principles of an African Centered Education (ACE) and pedagogical practices.
As part of the continued ADES commitment, over 350 educators, faculty and staff from the United States began the hard work at their universities and community colleges to develop the first of phase of ACE. The Fullerton College team has already started planning the first phase of the “The North Star Project.” The project includes short-term and long-term goals towards implementation and planning initiatives that align with the 15 principles of NOCCCD and Fullerton College’s institutional planning:
- Increase recruitment, in-reach and outreach practices to engage Black/African American students
- Gain recognition as a Black-Serving Institution (BSI) would be best stated as: “Gain a Black-Serving Institution (BSI) designation”
- Use of African-Centered Education (ACE) practices to create a sense of belonging and holistic pathways for Black/ African American students currently enrolled as well as future students seeking the North Orange County Community College and Fullerton College as a home
- Develop Umojified professional learning opportunities for faculty and classified staff
- Embed African-centered pedagogy and practices into the Vision 2030 District plan
“I look forward to bringing this knowledge back to the campus community by creating spaces for dialogue about identity, culture and history, particularly for students of African descent.” said Fullerton College Counselor, Dr. Queen Peterson. “Through workshops, discussions and classroom integration, I aim to inspire students to explore their own identities while fostering a deeper appreciation for diversity and inclusion.”
As a form of implementing African-centered educational practices at Fullerton College, Mary Ann Beck, a teacher at the Child Development and Educational Studies Lab School, recently invited speaker Baba the Storyteller for an exciting presentation that was shared with the children and their families during Family Night at the Lab School. A world-traveled author, educator and speaker, Baba inspires the lives of many with his insightful storytelling through music and African-centered culture and traditions.
The Ghana team’s experiential journey is a testament to how their ancestors’ lived experiences and struggles throughout history can redefine educational practices, cultivate empowerment, and shape a hopeful tomorrow towards sovereignty, unity and prosperity.
