“The driving force behind the African American Male Initiative (AAMI) is to ensure that African American males meet their goals for success. We want to go beyond graduation and help them find and become their best personal and professional selves,” expressed Michelle Littlejohn, the project director. “We expose and provide access to different job opportunities; we work with the diversity office and Mr. Carter; we do college trips and go to conferences. It’s all about building personal and professional skills.”
In a fun and engaging conversation with Michelle Littlejohn, Andre Roldan, and two student members, they shared what it means to be part of AAMI and how their experiences have shaped their life journeys for the better. Enjoy this inside glimpse of what it’s like to be in AAMI.
What can new members expect when they’re coming into AAMI for the first time?
“It’s warm and welcoming,” Roldan readily responded. “When you first come in you get that immediate sense of brotherhood.”
Malik Davis, a health science and respiratory therapist major, seconded Roldan, “What we have here is a brotherhood. We support each other academically and outside of academics.”
“Yes, the first thing that comes to my mind is support,” Littlejohn said as she assuredly nodded in agreement.
What is your favorite thing about AAMI?
“I feel like I’m most comfortable here. I can be myself; like I have family here,” Davis honestly said. “There’s always somebody to help you towards the goal you want to achieve. AAMI helped me with my academic schedule and even met with my professors. It’s a godsend for sure.”
Joshua Ahumaraeze, a mechanical engineering major, shared a truly heartfelt response, “I just love the people here. This is the best experience I’ve had in school, even more than high school, because I can talk with people. When I first came to Sinclair, I didn’t know anyone, and I felt so lonely. But I don’t feel lonely anymore. Since I’ve been here, I’ve met a lot of new students. I get to relate to them and inspire them. I help them just as much as they help me. When people think social life is a distraction, it’s not a distraction. It’s really a help that we need.”
“When I came here to AAMI, it was like the weight just got lifted,” he continued as he lifted his hands to imply a weight being lifted from his shoulders. “Now I have somewhere where I can eat, chill, relax, and do homework. Everything here is free. Everything is yours. Also, I’m not that good a waking up early enough in the morning to eat breakfast, so I like that they provide good snacks.”
“Yes,” Littlejohn laughed, “they all like the snacks we have here.” She went on to share her favorite things about being the program director of AAMI, “I love seeing the growth in young men; when their confidence has shifted. There is a huge amount of support from other departments. This whole month is called “Finnish Strong,” and it’s all about helping our students be the best that they can be. There are expectations and we will help you meet them along the way.”
How would somebody join AAMI, and who can join?
Ahumaraeze reclined in his chair and said, “You can come down here and you ask Mrs. Littlejohn or Roldan and express your interest. Most of the process is just participation.”
“All men of color whether Asian, Arabic, Hispanic, or any other ethnicity. Women are also welcome,” Littlejohn began to clarify. “Some students have never joined, but they still find their way down here. There’s never any pressure to join. We have an alumni who came for a year and a half before he officially joined, and he still comes now. There are different levels, and we accept them all.”
Davis said to any newcomers, “If you need help academically, and you don’t know who to go to about it, I always recommend coming here. I didn’t know that there was help out there. I assumed that I was just supposed to know everything. I mean, the worst that could happen is that it doesn’t work out for you.”
Roldan warmly extended this open invitation to all students who may be interested in AAMI when he said, “You know, just stop by and come find out what it’s like for yourself!”
All students are welcome to visit the AAMI office/hangout-study space in the basement of building 8 behind the guitar center in room 027. Anyone is also welcome to reach out to Michelle Littlejohn at michelle.littlejohn@sinclair.edu or by phone at 937-512-4645. Andre Roldan is available at andre.roldan@sinclair.edu. To learn more from the Sinclair website, visit www.sinclair.edu/services/support/aami.
Related article: African American Male Initiative
Heaven Diastello
Social media coordinator/Staff writer