UMOJA COMMUNITY RECEIVES FUNDING FROM STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR $2.5 MILLION
Sacramento, California. July 13, 2017– The Umoja Community is pleased to announce it has received $2.5 million ongoing funding from the California State government. These funds will support the growth and development of the organization.
The Umoja Community serves as an umbrella organization, which provides programming, curriculum, training, assessment and knowledge sharing to colleges across the state in order to close the achievement gap, especially for historically under resourced students.
"We’ve been laying the groundwork for this moment for the last decade, and we are poised and enthusiastic for this opportunity. “This funding will allow us to expand upon the thousands of students and 55 colleges we presently serve in the California Community College system, strengthen relationships with our transfer partner institutions and cultivate Umoja programming with secondary schools across the State of California."
The enhanced funding is part of state budget investments in the California Community Colleges, and Umoja is thrilled to be afforded this opportunity to continue to play a significant role in the equity work in the college system.
"For over a decade Umoja Community volunteers have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of community college students. This new support for Umoja will enable the organization to help thousands of students succeed in obtaining college degrees," said Valerie Lynne Shaw, a member of the Community College System's Board of Governors.
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Umoja (A Kiswahili word meaning unity) is a community and critical resource dedicated to enhancing the cultural and educational experience of African American and other students.
We believe that when the voices and histories of students are deliberately and intentionally recognized, the opportunity for self-efficacy emerges and a foundation is formed for academic success.
Umoja actively serves and promotes student success for all students through a curriculum and pedagogy responsive to the legacy of the African and African American Diasporas.
