Abstract
The goal is that the ethos of African American Male Achievement (AAMA) permeates the system, shifting the culture of schools to become more teacher-driven and student-centered. To counteract the narrative of underachievement, the AAMA curriculum links present-day injustices to a historical context. In this educational setting, neighborhood knowledge is a resource and an instructional tool, like the way the AAMA teacher learns about Asim's self-iscipline when it comes to dancing and uses that to push him in school. "Young Black males who have been silenced by a system", Dr. Devin Dillon explains, are "now asked to read empowering literature and view popular cultural portrayals of race through a critical lens". The educators started feeling happier about their day so they started "lifting up" all kids with constructive feedback. The class allows for close connections with positive role models who teach, lead by example, and encourage the members of the class to dare to dream about their futures.