A2MEND

What A2MEND does

A2MEND (African American Male Education Network and Development) is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2006 by six Black male administrators who met at UCLA. Its mission is to address the educational success gap for Black male students in the community college system through mentorship, scholarships, leadership development, advocacy, and institutional change work led by Black male educators. The organization is the primary nonprofit vehicle in the U.S. specifically focused on Black male community college success and runs the annual African American Male Summit in Los Angeles, which draws over 1,300 students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

A2MEND's core programs are the Student Leadership Academy (mentorship), the Scholarship Program (with $1,000,000 cumulatively awarded to Black male students), the Africa Study Abroad program (50 students sent since 2018), 58 Student Charters across California, Minnesota, and Washington (campus-level support structures), and the A²MEND Anti-Racism Institute webinar series. Revenue is generated through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, capital campaigns (most recently a Racial Trauma Healing and Wellness Center campaign), and summit registrations. A2MEND also monetizes ancillary channels such as a "Book a Speaker" service and an external job board (a2mendjobs.com). The organization is governed by an Executive Board and Leadership Coalition, has a mailing address in Elk Grove, California, and publishes an IRS Determination Letter, annual report, and Theory of Change.

A2MEND is a mission-driven nonprofit, not a technology company. It has no proprietary software platform, no app, no API, and no disclosed AI/ML systems. Its go-to-market is direct community engagement: campus-based charters, in-person summits, social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), email newsletters, webinars, and earned media (PBS NewsHour, CBS13, Los Angeles Times, Roland Martin Unfiltered). Primary customer/beneficiary segments are Black male community college students and Black male educators and administrators, with secondary reach into four-year transfer institutions.

Name

A2MEND

Legal name

African American Male Education Network and Development

Website

https://a2mend.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

A2MEND is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 that uses mentorship, scholarships, leadership academies, and 58 campus Student Charters to increase the success of Black male students in the U.S. community college system.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Pasadena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: A2MEND operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises funds through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and capital campaigns to support its mission of increasing Black male student success in community colleges.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

A2MEND is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers educational support programs, mentorship, scholarships, leadership development, and annual conferences to increase the success of African American male students in the U.S. community college system. Its core offerings include the Student Leadership Academy, Scholarship Program, Africa Study Abroad program, 58 campus-based Student Charters across California, Minnesota, and Washington, the annual African American Male Summit in Los Angeles, and the ADES Summit.

Product overview

A²MEND is a nonprofit organization offering educational support programs for Black male students in community colleges. Its offerings include the Student Leadership Academy, Scholarship Program, Africa Study Abroad program, Student Charter Program, Anti-Racism Institute Webinars, and annual summits. The organization focuses on mentoring, advocacy, and institutional change within higher education rather than technology products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Student Leadership Academy

Quantifiable outcome

• 50 students received learning abroad scholarships to travel to Africa since 2018
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU): HACU serves Hispanic-serving institutions and Hispanic students, including in community colleges, with scholarships, advocacy, and capacity building. It uses a similar community-college-rooted equity model as A2MEND but is dedicated to a different demographic group.

Broad incumbents

• Thurgood Marshall College Fund: TMCF supports HBCUs and Black students through scholarships, capacity building, and advocacy. Comparable to A2MEND on Black-student higher-ed success but anchored to HBCUs rather than community colleges.
• United Negro College Fund (UNCF): UNCF is a larger, established nonprofit raising scholarships and institutional support for Black students and HBCUs. It overlaps with A2MEND on the educational-outcomes-for-Black-students mission but operates at national scale and a much broader HBCU-focused mandate.
• NAACP: NAACP is a national civil rights organization with dedicated education programs and advocacy for Black student equity. A2MEND's narrower community-college focus and grassroots mission make it a more specialized complement within the same ecosystem.
• National Urban League: National Urban League runs education and workforce programs serving Black communities and other communities of color, including community college pathways. Comparable on education equity and African American advancement, but operating at national scale with multiple program verticals.

Others

• United Way: United Way funds and convenes local education and equity initiatives, including scholarships and Black community programs. It is adjacent to A2MEND as a potential funder and partner rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• The Education Trust: The Education Trust advocates for academic achievement and equity for students of color and low-income students at all education levels, including higher education. Comparable to A2MEND on equity advocacy, research, and policy engagement for underserved student populations.
• Achieving the Dream: Achieving the Dream is a national nonprofit focused on community college student success and equity for students of color and low-income learners. Directly comparable to A2MEND on community-college student success, though it serves multiple demographic groups rather than Black male students exclusively.
• INROADS: INROADS develops Black talent through internship, leadership, and professional pathways into corporate careers. Shares A2MEND's focus on Black student/professional development, mentorship, and outcomes, although its emphasis is corporate talent rather than community-college completion.

Regional players

• Campaign for College Opportunity: The Campaign for College Opportunity is a California-focused nonprofit increasing college access and success for low-income and underrepresented students, including at community colleges. Geographic and community-college focus overlap with A2MEND's California stronghold.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/a2mend2006
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCx5v4HAxeHjOsJfQ3EtH6QA
• Facebookfacebook.com/pg/African-American-Male-Education-Network-and-Development-282792658423346/photos/?tab=album&album_id=453440101358600
• Instagraminstagram.com/a2mend/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/a2mend

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about A2MEND