Served as a liaison for my department, African American and African Studies, on an initiative with African Studies Center (ASC) and the Africa America Institute (AAI) to diversify the curriculum of the University Preparatory Schools in Detroit. The goal of the Initiative was to develop a pilot program to run for 18-24 months. I met with AAI, ASC, and MSU Development & Grants to discuss the operational logistics of the program. It was decided that the best course of action was to create a memorandum of understanding between ASC and AAI for the pilot program. Both parties agreed to encourage specific activities to promote academic cooperation and outreach in K-12 education. The leadership of University Prep Schools is committed to working with MSU, through ASC, to accelerate its efforts to ensure that a culturally responsive educational experience is provided for their students, and School leadership is dedicated to improving the quality and content of the curriculum, particularly in the middle and high schools. AAI hired two graduate/post-graduate students from AAAS, will run the program as a pilot for 18-24 months, then bring AAAS back onboard at the end of the pilot program. AAAS graduates conducted research on various historical topics, presented to faculty/staff/students/community through University Prep Schools. The pilot program began in January 2021.


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Project Contact:

  • Joy Coates
  • African American and African Studies
  • College of Arts and Letters



Partners

  • African American Institute, New York University
  • Africa America Institute, New York University. University Preparatory Schools in Detroi




Report of calendar year 2020 activity.