By Clifford L. Williams,
Globe City Editor

Oakland’s African American Education Task Force and the Oakland Unified School District recently hosted the seventh annual Academic Achievement Celebration honoring African American honor roll scholars from schools throughout the East Bay.


    The event was held in the sanctuary of Acts Full Gospel Church in East Oakland, where 1,100 top performing African American students from grades eight through 12 were recognized for the educational achievements in Oakland’s public schools. Each of the students received a certificate from representatives of the schools they attend.

    One of the largest ceremonies of its type in the nation, family members joined teachers, principals, district administrators and education advocates in saluting the students’academic excellence.
    Wandra Boyd, co-chair of the African American Education Task Force (AAETF), said she was proud of the event.
   “This is our seventh year honoring these African American scholars,” said Boyd. “We are honoring students that have a 3.0 GPA and above. Each year the percentage of African American students who are honored increases. This demonstrates that more and more African American students are successfully achieving academic excellence.
    “Rarely do we honor those who are doing what they need to do. … You can see the pride in the parents who are gathered here. They are very proud of their children,” she said.
    The celebration included original oratorical presentations by students. Yolanda Allen, a sophomore at Castlemont East Oakland School of the Arts, shared her poem “Mr. Music” with the audience.
    “I love music, dance, poetry, and I draw,” she said later. “Art is really something I want to pursue in my life.”
    Congresswoman Barbara Lee provided each student with a copy of the congressional record she presented to the 110th Congress that recognized and honored the AAETF and the students.
    “I commend the exceptional academic achievements of these students and I want to recognize each of them for understanding the importance of staying in school,” wrote Lee. “Upon completion of their education, the student will have additional opportunities to achieve their personal goals and our shared goal of world peace.”
    For more information about the AAETF, contact Wandra Boyd at (510) 531-4209.

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