Instructional
Bro. Kwadwo Gyase | Partner
Just prior to our historic study abroad experience in South Africa, I made the choice to name my schoolhouse Mayibuye. This name is an IsiZulu term pulled from the rallying cry: Mayibuye IAfrika! It literally translates to “come back Africa” and was ubiquitously featured throughout anti-apartheid liberation struggles. Nelson Mandela used it during protests and speeches to inspire the masses of his people and Miriam Makeba composed freedom songs with this same title to express the deep desire for justice, redemption and self-determination permeating throughout the nation. It is this spirit, this collective movement toward freedom, that I chose to invoke for my schoolhouse.
Sis. Ardnas Rashid | Partner
“This Adinkra symbol is SESA WO SUBAN, meaning ‘to change or transform your character.’ It is a symbol of personal and collective life transformation. It combines two separate symbols: The "Morning Star" represents the dawn or birth of a new day. Placed inside the wheel, this signifies rotation and independent movement forward.”
“Its meaning in direct translation from the Akan is ‘Change your spirit/ character’ but the Adinkra meaning is ‘Life Transformation’. The symbol is a combination of two symbols the morning star in the center which symbolizes a new start to the day, so each morning you get to start again and the wheel represents rotation or movement. These meanings combine to be a powerful reminder to us as we navigate our journey of change and growth that it may seem impossible, but we always have the choice, even the self-responsibility to get up and keep going until we reach success.”
8th Grade Sesa Wo Sudan Schoolhouse | Sis. Ardnas
5th-6th Grade Schoolhouse | Sis. Ayo
N’Kenge Carter | Partner
In a time much like these, when Black Lives were so blatantly disregarded, Ida B. Wells rose up and spoke out. I chose to give my schoolhouse her name to honor her tremendous courage and fortitude and also to invoke the intelligence and power of Black Womanhood. Ida B. Wells has been quoted to say, “The people must know before they can act…” and likewise our children must know before they can act. Our world is anxiously waiting for the bold leaders, knowledge workers, and social entrepreneurs of tomorrow. I dare say, that is the work I have committed my life to. These are the people we will on day unleash on the world.
N’kenge Carter is a Senior Associate Lead Teacher at Ember Charter School for Mindful Education, Innovation and Transformation in Brooklyn NY. N’kenge believes that the role of teacher cannot be understated. This honorable profession and those of us who choose it, carry the greatest responsibility to teach into existence a reality of restorative justice, sustainable living, and responsible invention. N’kenge is defined by her passion to teach. As a mother of four dynamic and unique individuals, her classroom like her home is a safe laboratory for children to inquire, test theories, create and develop holistically. N’kenge believes that there is both an art and science of teaching. The best of us are able to synthesize the two in an urgent pursuit of student success. Our current pedagogy must be student centered, culturally relevant, and differentiated to meet the needs of each of our children. She further asserts that when we move our students from the margins of discourse and place them in the center of it, we give them the greatest opportunity to take ownership of their learning and become critical agents in the fulfillment of their own destiny; a destiny that is inextricably connected to the upliftment of their individual families, collective communities, and society as a whole.
3rd-4th Grade Schoolhouse | Bro. Diaman
Bro. Mouhamadou Diaman | Partner
Baané means one in my native tongue, Soninke, which is one of the Mande languages in West Africa. The Soninke people were the founders of the Ancient Empire of Ghana, also known as Wagadugu Empire. The word Baané is also used to express the concept of oneness. Our schoolhouse explores the concept of oneness through cooperative economics, responsibility, and unity. As a human developer, I want my young brothers and sisters to understand that each of them individually has the power to ignite change. However, organized and collected, we are even more impactful.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” African Proverb
Learn more about Bro. Diaman’s Literacy Program by clicking the button below.
Sis. Stephanie Cabrera | Mid-Level Associate
Fortaleza is a term from my native language Spanish. The term translates to strength, vigor, energy, endurance, but it means much more. Historically in Spanish speaking culture Fortaleza is connected to the capacity in which one can resist, overcome and move past any problem, adversity. In the Fortaleza schoolhouse we have developed a sense of community and unity where we support each other and embrace our differences. This shows up during our Friday Creative Endeavors where students work on projects they selected and designed. Students have worked on coding, Lego robotics, knitting, pottery, chess, dance, and other activities.
5th Grade Fortaleza Schoolhouse | Sis. Stephanie
8th Grade Matamba Schoolhouse | Bro. Jim
Bro. Jim Jean-Joseph | Senior Associate
As I reflect on some of the more memorable moments during my upbringing and continued development, there are some essential components that I identify to be pivotal to my personal growth. The idea of family, community and perseverance serve as impactful influences in my decision making from a fairly young age. Taking time to explore and experience these concepts in various ways has help to shape my perspective on life significantly. I want my student to know that these explorations are possible. The name of my schoolhouse is Matamba. Matamba was an ancient kingdom geographically located in the providence of modern day Angola; it has a strong history rooted in the aforementioned values. Under the rule of several strong leaders, the people of Matamba fought against European colonization for years. Queen Nzinga also known as the “Warrior Queen” fought alongside her people in battle. Driven by her resilience the people of Angola continued to fight even after the death of their queen and eventually attained independence from the Portuguese. Essentially, I am constantly reminding students that we are in the trenches together in this ongoing battle for freedom and liberation.
Bro. Levon Golding | Junior Associate
Ominira means freedom, Independence and liberation in Yoruba. The Yoruba people remain as one for the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria and in Africa as a whole. The people practice a number of cultural skills that are useful. It is enriched with outstanding culture such as a respect for elders, decent dressing, fashion and so on. My classroom instills independence in culture, and in independence in self. Through my practice I teach my students to value not only the word of their elders, but also the word of themselves. My classroom embodies culture, and prides itself in Ominira, Self-liberation.
Education is the key for self-liberation. Your liberty will not be freely given to you. You must be bold to liberate yourself. Self-liberation is the greatest victory” – Lailah Gifty Akita
Kindergarten Ominira Schoolhouse | Bro. Levon
Bro. Prolific Edwaujonte | Junior Associate
Timothy Prolific Edwaujonte is a former Kuumba Specialist and Junior Associate Lead Teacher in the High School. As a poet, genealogist, graphic/web designer, publisher, producer, and organizer, Prolific synthesizes Afro-Indigenous traditions, and Hip-Hop culture to create a living, engaging classroom environment. As someone whose creative practice exists in multiple intersections, Prolific cultivates student interests into tangible artistic expressions through an interdisciplinary approach. This approach is rooted in the principles and practices of artistic movements including Black Arts Movement and the Harlem Renaissance, amongst others, that utilized creativity as a way to pursue social justice and personal transformation. Outside of Ember, Edwaujonte is the Visioning Partner (VP) for Institutional Culture at PURPOSE Productions, a graduate fellow at The Watering Hole, and the author of Ofrenda para las ancestras. He is from Uniondale (Long Island, NY), and lives in Bed-Stuy.
Our Specialist Practitioners
“The purpose of art is to lay bare the questions that have been hidden by the answers.” – James Baldwin
Kuumba is a word in the Swahili language that means "creativity." It is also understood to mean "to create with one's own hands." With these broad definitions, Kuumba's scope extends far beyond art. What Kuumba means is only limited by our own definitions for it, and our imaginations, which makes the possibilities limitless. In a Kuumba class, there often is a mix of guided and self-directed practice to explore how art forms overlap, how creative skills are transferable to the academic and real worlds, and vice versa. Students engage in critical thinking and analysis as much as the acquisition of artistic skills. We ask them, "what will you create, and with what purpose?" It is in our art that we explore our identities, values, character, and interpret the world around us. And through that exploration we can develop the creativity needed to develop solutions to transform ourselves, our families, our communities, and work toward building a more equitable society.
Sis. Rajonna Lewis | Junior Associate
Rojanna Lewis is a dancer, choreographer, and imaginative visual arts teacher with over 30 years’ expertise in providing a contemporary arts education to students in New York and Abroad. She is well-versed in posture, dance techniques, specific moves and rhythm sensitivity. She recently served as a Dance Teacher and Choreographer at Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Hooks Arts Media INC and currently teaches Diasporic Dance and Taekwondo at Ember Charter School in Brooklyn, NY.
My purpose is to create a class culture where every student is valued and thrives, as well as to empower students to achieve high levels of educational, professional and artistic excellence.
Rajonna is also the CEO of CONNECTING THE DOTS RL (LLC) a youth empowerment program.