16 th Annual AFRICAN AMERICAN
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT & EXCELLENCE AWARDS
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presents
WELCOME PAYING HOMAGE TO THE ANCESTORS
Calling of the Drums
Lift EveryVoice & Sing written by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON
featured
STEM S.T.E.P.S. Scholars
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS BOARD MEMBERS Congratulatory Messages Congressman ERIC SWALWELL Assemblymember ROB BONTA
A Senior Blessing Presented by
Pastor Tommy Smith, AAREA Board Member
Introducing
COLLEGE:
MAKE IT HAPPEN
TO BE YOUNG, YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK written by: Nina Simone
featuring: Brazil Syita Fisher-Johnson 5th Grade Oxford Elementary School Berkeley Unified School District
CLOSING 4
AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT & EXCELLENCE AWARDS
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ALAMEDA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AWARD RECIPIENTS EDISON ELEMENTARY Semani Poonolly HART MIDDLE SCHOOL Benjamin Bass WOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL Fatima A. El Amin ALBANY CITY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AWARD RECIPIENTS ALBANY MIDDLE SCHOOL Kamryn Fort Asad Franklin Devin Owens Mariah Sims Melat Thomas Riley Wilson OCEAN VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ari Wilson BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BERKELEY ARTS MAGNET Lillian Ellis Gemira Williams BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL Lyndon Ward EMERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jordan Pooler LONGFELLOW MAGNET MIDDLE SCHOOL Alasiah Harper Daijah Pierce
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MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MIDDLE SCHOOL Sade Devine Tamirat Solomon Phoeben Worku
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Avery Bland Sanai Colver Mythias Fisher Jeremy Francis Jabari Hadnot Justin Iglesias Kameron Ignot MAYBECK HIGH SCHOOL Liyat Kifle Innua Robinson Candace Kirksey Jadon Redd OXFORD Deven Tai Justin Williams ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kalaya Williams Brazil Fisher-Johnson Aaliyah Zaballos SYLVIA MENDEZ Melissa Boussaroque Qiomy Espinoza ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lela Sanchez De Harrison Lyric Williams Janta Turner WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CASTRO VALLEY Akiyah Young HIGH SCHOOL Omolade Asesanya WILLARD Anese Atkins-Henesley MIDDLE SCHOOL Teveston Johnson Raniyah Cole Tiana Kessee-Johnson Essence Dorsey Michael Lewis Isaiah Dunbar Cameron Muldrow Megan Garrett Myla Ogle Elisha Glenn Jaden Threat Janiyah Holloway Kyara Warren Lilyana Jones Autumn Adeyan Nissi Kiggundu Miles Bennett Felicity Manns Leah Biruk Siobhan Reed Amiel Duncan William Sanders Lauren Francis Devin Green Merhawi Solomon Thaddius Williams Ahman Greene Sienna Prak-Perry Charles King Olivia Oseghale CASTRO VALLEY Alyssa Pringle UNIFIED Leann Robinson SCHOOL DISTRICT Melia Room Karell Washington Simon Yohannes CANYON MIDDLE SCHOOL Ajayzee Zaballos Marcellus Allen Gelila Atnafu CREEKSIDE Ka'Leigh Beck MIDDLE SCHOOL David Blair Catalina Baldwin
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Ezra Elyas Madison Glock Esaias Goodwin Adrian Grigsby Joshua Hoops-Rogers Hailey Krzyzanowski Zoe Lawrence Chance Shavies Scarlett Sims Sebora Harten INDEPENDENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cire Irving Eric Irving Taray Irving Lazarus Jones Essey Mehari Ke'Mara William PALOMARES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kayla Fox Naeema Williams DUBLIN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT DUBLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Shyloh Tomtania Kayci Phillips Kelenna Nwamuo DUBLIN HIGH SCHOOL Brent Boyd Dazia Cooks Nile Desta Jonae Dorsey Avient-Lauryn Fadal Kamryn Flemings Kimora Mya Freeman Javoni Gardere Mariyah Howard Quimoni Meredith Nia Murray Jalen Pierce Alivia Turner
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S Ashley Bryant Jasmine Hines FALLON MIDDLE SCHOOL Elana Boyd Leila Dixon Elijah Johnson Nevaeh Johnson Elizabeth Mugambi EMERY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT EMERY HIGH SCHOOL Jayden Cummings FREMONT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
CENTERVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Aysia Romero-Williams Herona Shiferaw
HOPKINS JR. HIGH SCHOOL Nailah Cannon Marissa White Irvington High School Rami Saad THORNTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL LasJohn Griffin HAYWARD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BRENKWITZ HIGH SCHOOL Makayla Taylor BRET HARTE MIDDLE SCHOOL Derrick Aikiens, Jr. Princess Awambu Aniyah Barnes
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BRET HARTE MIDDLE SCHOOL <continued> Kennedy Braziel Kevvon Brown Nala Buenavista Antoinette Crittendon Mark Anthony Gaskins, II Cameron Green Tiana Harrell Essence Hopkins Keira Jones Riyah Moore Dymond Powell William Powell Jave Ramirez Akiya Santos Sutton Tonia Smith Tare (Israel) Thourn Mikya Walker Denzil Adams III Kaida Angelo Ariana Casiano Baker Quincy Lavender BURBANK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Arielle Aguilar Merritt Elijah Lane Giovanni Vernon Prince Williams Alona Hill CHERRYLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Avery Doss EAST AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Anthony LeBlanc III Kirah Owusu Chelse Rosana Zyan Sanganoo Dante Rendleman FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cameron Childress Dominic Davis Javohn Hamilton Nalajh Irvin Neyajh Irvin Joy Johnson Tywan Melrose
Ja'kye Smith Kimone Williams Kamiya Evans HAYWARD HIGH SCHOOL Treasure Amey Maile Annunziato Jamal Boyd Joanna Brown Briana Carson Deshawn Carter Peyton Churchwell Thomas Coleman III Kaia Elliott Deven Franklin Deriyon Harvey Trinity Howell Joshua Jackson Janae Jones Alex Lanier Messiyah Moye Pierre Nelson Arrielle Norton June Rinda Alexandra Saffold Jaylin Turner Idara Udoisa Malik Williams Ilani Williamson LORIN EDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cornneyah Godfrey Marcellus Montgomery Jewmorion Wallker MOUNT EDEN HIGH SCHOOL Josiah Autry Sarai Benjamin Kiarra Bowman Kajahlai Christian Kayla Dixon Elia'shia Duirden Kendell Eatmon Akilah Frazier Kyara Garner Grace Gikanga Anayia Henry Destiny Jackson Simon Kyama Mariyah Lyons Marley Maduakolam
Mekhia Millington Khalejah Nwagbo Jordan Robinson LeNaiya Ross Onessa Sharufa Darius Smith Darahne Steen Morgan Turner WIllie Veazy Ziare Watts Nazjinell Whittle ANTHONY OCHOA MIDDLE SCHOOL Jadyn Edwards Naomi Gikanga Layla Perry Hailey Robertson Heaven Thomas SCHAFER PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Akira Green SOUTHGATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Eghemwen Ehiorobo ANTHONY OCHOA MIDDLE SCHOOL Jadyn Edwards Naomi Gikanga Layla Perry Hailey Robertson Heaven Thomas SCHAFER PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Akira Green SOUTHGATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Eghemwen Ehiorobo STONEBRAE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Peyton Cotton Jazmyne Lawson Desmond Sicat STROBRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Zedyn Lewis
The African American Student Achievement and Excellence Awards were created to encourage African American students and their families to strive and achieve. This annual event affirms the worth and dignity of African-American students, and acknowledges and recognizes the support of parents, family and community in the lives of children.
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AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT & EXCELLENCE AWARDS
TENNYSON HIGH SCHOOL Tejon Allen Zharia Armstrong Lance Arnold Jonathan Barber Javon Green Travon Green Omorefe Igiehon Sostan Jacks Janae Jackson Brianna Jenkins Lee Long El'Jon Mcintosh Osazee Oghogho Aasin Sapenter LaTanya Scott Brandon Turner Kaliyah Vernon Marlin Brown Ashley Ndikum Asha Noble WINTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Miyah Aubrey Perfect Doe Nicole Drake Isabel Edwards Ofure Eremiokhale Santi Faafiu Dixson Jaden Harris Makayla Hayes Kiyah Haynes Isaac Jones Neveah Moore Anthony Valasquez Summer Wilkins NEW HAVEN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ALVARADO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Meron Gebrekidan Alijah Bryant Daniels Kesyn Haggins Carter Owens CESAR CHAVEZ MIDDLE SCHOOL Essence Balumbu Paige Fitzpatrick Ceanna Quinley
JAMES LOGAN HIGH SCHOOL Kalani Seymore Chase Sims KITAYAMA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chigozie Ahanotu Melody Simpson SEARLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Zaire White THE VILLAGE METHOD OF CESAR CHAVEZ MIDDLE SCHOOL Emiliano Gonzalez Kennedy McCutcheon Jared Henry Aiden Kesse Christian Ratliff NEWARK UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT JAMES GRAHAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Michael Smith Kiomi Neal NEWARK JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Myla Clemans Jarrett Coleman Dontice Cooper Fatima Diawara Alivia Glenn Malia Navarro Angelica Phillips SCHILLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Julius Williams OAKLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT CASTLEMONT HIGH SCHOOL Ani Allums Joshua Davis Nylani Polk Ja'zzier Pierre
FREMONT HIGH SCHOOL Steviah Cox Duriel Fortenberry Divine Opubor Keon Stewart
EXCELSIOR MIDDLE SCHOOL Raphael Bekheet
FRICK IMPACT ACADEMY Michaela Brady Luckiea Earls
OAKLAND TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL Liam Ryals Ariam Semere Mia Sheppard Desonn Shipp Yosef Weldetsadik OSA OAKLAND SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS Faith Villoria
INVICTUS ACADEMY OF RICHMOND Peyton Woodfork
GLENVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Justen Smith
SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL Trinity Hall Brejea Luckett
KIPP KING COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL Alyssa Aragon Brooklyn Ashley Mariam Coulibaly Yacouba Coulibaly Jahnae Everhart Bre'anna Gray Kameron Gray Krystal Haynes Tayari Henry Kayla Kellum Asad Morton Lauryn Richardson Alijah Seiuli-Phelps Lorelei Self-Tyson Carmen Shaw Nibras Suliman David Walton Roman Allen Dallys Ashley Shanyah Baker George Draper Alexis Dunbar Cairo Karriem Kyomi Marcelin Sasha Scoggins Angel Swain Ogenna Udemezue Shanice Williams
ILE MODE Jamilla Cooks LIFE ACADEMY Mica Smith-Dahl LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL Mahelet Akilu Henry Buchanan Jr Makei Harrison Joshua Thomas Rasean Williams Darolyn-Horizon Johnson MADISON PARK ACADEMY Leana Blunt Kalen Houston OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Fikadu Gebrelibanos Henok Haile Seim Iyassu Diana Okube Oumou Thiane Kalkidan Weldetsadik Merhawi Abraha Heven Berhe Fatimah Dieng Eyerusalm Zeberga OAKLAND MILITARY INDEPENDENT Anthony Lindsey
URBAN PROMISE ACADEMY Samuel Adeyeye Khamya Tarver PIEDMONT CITY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT MILLENNIUM HIGH SCHOOL Nakilah Johnson Harmonee Ross Zachary Savage Damarcus Thompson PIEDMONT HIGH SCHOOL Iain Brown Bruce Hilton Ismene Schirrecker Eden Smith Zoli Smith Azana Best PRIVATE SCHOOL CHARTER/OTHER BENTLEY SCHOOL Nigel Scott BISHOP O'DOWD HIGH SCHOOL Liana Parrish Jasmine Robinson BLACK PINE CIRCLE Pharoah Jackson
HOLY NAMES HIGH SCHOOL Leia Barnes
MAKING WAVES ACADEMY Imuntinyan Aigbuza Isoken Aigbuza Isaiah Ames Kayla Barnes Amari-Lynn Brown Ar'Tesh Bryant Brandyn Downey Nikeyda Frazier Astin Sterling
MIDDLE COLLEGE AT SKYLINE Destiny Goodman Tylin Williams MISSION HILLS MIDDLE SCHOOL Olusheyi Adediji Kemi Adediji MONTE GARDENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Charleston Jenkins NEA COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER Nahkyara Hutcherson PATTEN ACADEMY Elijah Jacobs Aniya Jacobs REDWOOD DAY SCHOOL Meilani Abraham SEQUOIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Marcus Wilson THE COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Rachel Peterson SAN LEANDRO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BANCROFT MIDDLE SCHOOL Faith Goodlow Justin Martin Taqami Sellasie DiShawn Barnett GARFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jasmine Little Ethan McDonald Larry Phillips Francis Stevenson Kassandra Yigezaw
JAMES MADISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Joseph Nava-Swain JAMES MONROE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Leila Hatcher JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Aaliyah Thompson JOHN MUIR MIDDLE SCHOOL Saniah Boston Keylan Brown Unique Brown Nayanna Clinton Torrence Jerreh Daffeh Aryiah Diggs Adaugo Ehujor Saniyah Gayton Taison Kilgore Dominic LaRossa Chukwudire Lebeke Aaliyah Ailani Leon Taijai Owens Izuchukwu Udemezue MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Keileeyah Carney LaTaya Turner Amya Blackmon Gabriel Reed Jaela Tyes ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Juniyaa Bolden Mia Davis Isaac Hysten Braelin McCullough Myles Murillo London Reliford WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Morgan Pittman Woodrow Wilson Elementary School Reagan Baker-Lynch Dorothy Acha
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SAN LORENZO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ARROYO HIGH SCHOOL Samson Afeworki Blain Engeda Hallie Evans Kharim Harvey Destiny Lester Irene Lilley Sharon Lilley Dymin McGee Isabella Torres Briana Washington
EAST BAY ARTS HIGH SCHOOL Haley Fleming Taylor Garland Conneisha Maynes Charles Windham
HESPERIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kenneth Gray Eliana Lee JaMya Bell Shaleia Bonnell
Heavenor Scott Nate Steele Cameron Taylor Lambert Endia Williams Vincent Williams
Alexus Imani Sanders Cianna Williams WASHINGTON MANOR MIDDLE SCHOOL Angel Barney KingJames Bowie Anez Garde Dorian Lee Jayden Powell Zhane Smith Leilani Taban Jordyn Walker Miauni Wyatt Kemari Martin
SAN LORENZO EDENDALE HILLSIDE HIGH SCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FNU Anye Kelly Bihneh Iteoluwa Aladesanmi Jolia Bossette Amil Cooper Tu Tu Iteoluwa Aladesanmi ZaNai Brooks Omoni Davis Asiyah Bynum Hershea Campbell Taylor Dudley Deandre Cornish Zya Greer Kayla Florence Craig Goatley Nassir Ladzekpo Trinity Hayden Ashia Ray LaShae Nelson Dionte Hill King David Samuel Raymond Obikwelu Jayebo Hollins Shonnalynn A. Shambaugh-Shorey Matheo Pina Jaylien Holloway WEST CONTRA-COSTA Rodney Thomas III Ka'Lani Sweetwyne Marcellus Jackson UNIFIED BAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jazzlyn Wilder-Eason Mikah Taylor Jalyssa Jones SCHOOL DISTRICT Janae Martin Honesty Wright Demarri Troupe Malik Jones Dylan Carroll-Brown Anthony Williams Temitope Odeyemi CRESPI MIDDLE BOHANNAN Victor Cervantes Glenora Harper Faith Onyewuchi SCHOOL SCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL Kamaria Morris Hudson Osborne Victoria Ames Juan Zarco LORENZO MANOR Ishmael Perry Anyla Blodger GRANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Joy Slone RICHMOND Anastasia LaRue ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gerald Blodger Noah Tekle COLLEGE PREP Ja'Ron Smith Eze Anyanwu Von Zeil Converse Stevenson Jaiden Vilce Justice Johnson Zahir Collins Noredia Iyamu Jalicia Williams Jayden Kinney COLONIAL ACRES Xzaveer Hannah Jamila Williams Bailey Marshall ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Neenah Tyler ROYAL SUNSET Julia Williams Jayden Christian Crane Sariyah Brown Alana Tyson CONTINUATION Shamone Wilson Khamauri Carnell Williams Jerome Harris Atianna Alexander HIGH SCHOOL Akiyah Jones Kayla Depina Ka-Mari (Princess) Ellis-Booker Jaila Kennard Ruthie Love Malaysia Paradise Jaden Nelson Kajah Weaver
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STAY CONNECTED. AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT & EXCELLENCE AWARDS
On Saturday, May 9th, AAREA was proud to host the 16th Annual African American Student Achievement and Excellence Awards on YouTube. This event honors and acknowledges the brilliance, resilience, and strength of the Greater San Francisco Bay Area's African American scholars in 4 main categories: ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE This category recognizes students who have demonstrated excellence in academics by achieving and maintaining a minimum 3.5 grade point average for secondary students and above or the equivalent for elementary students for Fall 2019 Semester. AFRICAN AMERICAN REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL ALLIANCES
CULTURAL LEADERSHIP AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT This category recognizes the student who demonstrates an intangible quality which uplifts their community and is engaged in various leadership and/or civic activities in his/her school, church or community VISUAL/GRAPHICS AND PERFORMING ARTS This category recognizes the student who has made a contribution in the visual / graphics and performing arts in his/her school and/or community. In addition to the traditional visual and performing arts, this category also includes: videography, photography, graphic and web design.. ACADEMIC POTENTIAL AND SUCCESS This category recognizes the drive and determination needed to improve one’s academic experience and recognizes the student who has demonstrated resilience, growth and commitment to higher academic performance. Students nominated in this category show progress improvement in at least one academic area.
EVEN AFRICAN AMERICAN
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT & EXCELLENCE AWARDS
AFRICAN AMERICAN REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL ALLIANCES
AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT & EXCELLENCE AWARDS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
The educational community in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area have been a huge part of making this annual celebration happen for the last 16 years.
AAREA couldn't do it without nominators, families, educators, and leaders like you!
full video 10
AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT & EXCELLENCE AWARDS
CULTURAL LEADERSHIP & CIVIC INVOLVEMENT
AFRICAN AMERICAN REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL ALLIANCES
NT16th Annual
AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT & EXCELLENCE AWARDS
AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT & EXCELLENCE AWARDS VISUAL/GRAPHIC & PERFORMING ARTS
AFRICAN AMERICAN REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL ALLIANCES
AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT & EXCELLENCE AWARDS ACADEMIC POTENTIAL & SUCCESS
Award
Recipients
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DONATE & BECOME A MEMBER
To learn how and more about AAREA,
visit www.theaarea.org
or follow us on Facebook
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AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT & EXCELLENCE AWARDS
DISTRICT PARTNERS Alameda County Office of Education Alameda Unified School District Berkeley Unified School District Castro Valley Unified School District Contra Costa County Office of Education Dublin Unified School District Fremont Unified School District Hayward Unified School District Livermore Valley Joint School District Making Waves Academy New Haven Unified School District Oakland Unified School District Pleasanton Unified School District San Leandro Unified School District San Lorenzo Unified School District West Contra Costa Unified School District
BOARD MEMBERS Bobbie Brooks Barb DeBarger Rev. Elston Perry Dr. Robyn Fisher Michele Molitor Dr. Nina Moore La Shon Smith Rev. Tommy Smith Jr. Dr. Evelyn Wesley
AAREA would like to acknowledge the following Partners and Collaborators:
TM
®
Educational Enterprises, Inc.
AAREA Dr. Robyn Fisher Sokpheara Meas Lia Osborn
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New for 2020!
STEM S.T.E.P.S. Web Video Series
Bring STEM S.T.E.P.S. home with our brand new YouTube Web Series! STEM S.T.E.P.S. program offers programming that focuses on the social, emotional, and historical uniqueness of the African American culture. With every installment, Dr. Robyn Fisher will teach guardians of middle-school-aged students how best to guide their STEM S.T.E.P.S. projects.
STEM S.T.E.P.S. Web Series Episode: TRAILER STEM S.T.E.P.S. Web Series Episode: ONE STEM S.T.E.P.S. Web Series Episode: TWO
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for Awards extras, plus more AAREA content celebrating & cultivating our students’ brilliance.
The 15th Annual African American Student Achievement and Excellence Awards 2019 theme was "Celebrating the Brilliance of the African Diaspora," and over 700 awards were conferred to highachieving students in academic excellence, cultural leadership & civic involvement and visual/graphic and performing arts.
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AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT & EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Thank You We look forward to seeing you again in 2021!
22568 Mission Blvd. Ste. 517, Hayward, CA 94541 PHONE 510-614-3000 • FAX 510-614-3002 WWW.THEAAREA.ORG • INFO@THEAAREA.ORG