We will send an invite after you submit!
In memory of
Pastor Edward Lee Harvey Sr
Background
About ABEN
( A Black Educational Network)
Focused on African-Centered STEM Education for our children.
ABEN reverses the backward slide by facilitating academic and cultural excellence wherever our children and youth are--using culturally informed research, technology, visionary parent education, and networking in our communities here and in diaspora contexts.
Vision
ABEN combines and disseminates evidence-based research findings, education strategies, and culture through offering professional development opportunities, student-focused programming, and curricula designed to empower the educators of Black students and Black students themselves. Specifically, ABEN supports and partners with educational institutions - schools, churches, non-profit organizations, educators, researchers, parents, corporations, and foundations, especially those who focus on African-centered education - that work to ensure Black students reach their full potential.
After establishing the California Alliance of African American Educators (CAAAE) in 2001, to advocate for Black children who were being marginalized in that state, Debra Watkins (Who was a devoted member and was Baptized by Pastor Edward L. Harvey Sr. in East Palo Alto in the late 1970's) envisioned providing two-day summer institutes to inform and inspire educators with proven pedagogical resources to ensure academic and cultural excellence for students of African ancestry. From the onset, these institutes were well-attended and given excellent evaluations. Over a ten-year period, held either at Stanford University or the University of California, Los Angeles, these institutes combined to serve more than 1000 educators,
The ABEN Agenda
ABEN works to address the following:
Ensure equitable access to opportunities for learning and the utilization of resources;
Respect/support of the multiple identities and "verve" expressed by Black students;
High-quality student outcomes, including mastery of 21st-century skills in STEM subjects; critical thinking and problem-solving; communications and collaboration; creativity and innovation; digital literacy; information and communication technologies; and social/emotional intelligence;
Social justice and a frontal attack on the effects of prolonged and persistent racism on American society, in general, and on Black students in particular;
Instruction on African/African American history and culture in all schools that is historically accurate and culturally responsive, with emphasis on the past and current cultural, religious, economic, political, and psychological experiences of Black people;
Equitable, appropriate, high-quality instructional support during and beyond the school day;
Independent efforts in Black communities that are systematic and ongoing, including community-sponsored in-and out-of-school educational activities that provide a safe haven for family engagement, facilitate teaching/ learning about the cultural contributions of neighborhoods and community leaders where schools reside, and help eliminate family trauma;
Reach out and serve the needs and interests of Black parents by re-enforcing their identities and values;
Black organizations and cultural centers, including churches, that raise the critical race consciousness of Black people and instill ethnic pride/ identity, especially related to the role of the human spirit in the survival of our people;
Black parents, other citizens serving as tutors, volunteer teachers, paid aides, and community activists in schools/cultural centers to assist with the implementation of the ABEN agenda.
https://www.aben4ace.org/debra-watkins
Debra Watkins
Founder & Executive Director
ABEN: A Black Education Network
City San Jose, California
A Bit About Me:
As Dr. Asa Hilliard reminded us throughout his illustrious career, all Black children are geniuses, so I am passionate about ABEN's work because we exist to elevate their genius in all we do!
I studied in France for one year right after high school graduation.
BIO
Debra Watkins spent 37 years in the East Side Union High School District in San Jose, CA, as a teacher, counselor, and project manager before retiring in 2012. During that same period, she was a founding member of the Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators (SCCABE), where she served as president from 1994 to 2001.
In 2001, she founded the California Alliance of African American Educators (CAAAE) and the Dr. Frank S. Greene Scholars Program (GSP). Named after an African American scientist who helped pave the way for today’s computers, the GSP sends 100% of its students to college, 90% graduate in 4 years with BA or BS degrees, and 60% of those are in STEM which is about 8 times the national average for Black students.
In 2015, she was one of the founders of Black Students of California United (BSCU).
In 2017, Debra officially changed the name of the CAAAE to A Black Education Network (ABEN). She currently serves as Executive Director. Contribute
( A Black Educational Network)
Focused on African-Centered STEM Education for our children.
ABEN reverses the backward slide by facilitating academic and cultural excellence wherever our children and youth are--using culturally informed research, technology, visionary parent education, and networking in our communities here and in diaspora contexts.
Vision
ABEN combines and disseminates evidence-based research findings, education strategies, and culture through offering professional development opportunities, student-focused programming, and curricula designed to empower the educators of Black students and Black students themselves. Specifically, ABEN supports and partners with educational institutions - schools, churches, non-profit organizations, educators, researchers, parents, corporations, and foundations, especially those who focus on African-centered education - that work to ensure Black students reach their full potential.
After establishing the California Alliance of African American Educators (CAAAE) in 2001, to advocate for Black children who were being marginalized in that state, Debra Watkins (Who was a devoted member and was Baptized by Pastor Edward L. Harvey Sr. in East Palo Alto in the late 1970's) envisioned providing two-day summer institutes to inform and inspire educators with proven pedagogical resources to ensure academic and cultural excellence for students of African ancestry. From the onset, these institutes were well-attended and given excellent evaluations. Over a ten-year period, held either at Stanford University or the University of California, Los Angeles, these institutes combined to serve more than 1000 educators,
The ABEN Agenda
ABEN works to address the following:
Ensure equitable access to opportunities for learning and the utilization of resources;
Respect/support of the multiple identities and "verve" expressed by Black students;
High-quality student outcomes, including mastery of 21st-century skills in STEM subjects; critical thinking and problem-solving; communications and collaboration; creativity and innovation; digital literacy; information and communication technologies; and social/emotional intelligence;
Social justice and a frontal attack on the effects of prolonged and persistent racism on American society, in general, and on Black students in particular;
Instruction on African/African American history and culture in all schools that is historically accurate and culturally responsive, with emphasis on the past and current cultural, religious, economic, political, and psychological experiences of Black people;
Equitable, appropriate, high-quality instructional support during and beyond the school day;
Independent efforts in Black communities that are systematic and ongoing, including community-sponsored in-and out-of-school educational activities that provide a safe haven for family engagement, facilitate teaching/ learning about the cultural contributions of neighborhoods and community leaders where schools reside, and help eliminate family trauma;
Reach out and serve the needs and interests of Black parents by re-enforcing their identities and values;
Black organizations and cultural centers, including churches, that raise the critical race consciousness of Black people and instill ethnic pride/ identity, especially related to the role of the human spirit in the survival of our people;
Black parents, other citizens serving as tutors, volunteer teachers, paid aides, and community activists in schools/cultural centers to assist with the implementation of the ABEN agenda.
https://www.aben4ace.org/debra-watkins
Debra Watkins
Founder & Executive Director
ABEN: A Black Education Network
City San Jose, California
A Bit About Me:
As Dr. Asa Hilliard reminded us throughout his illustrious career, all Black children are geniuses, so I am passionate about ABEN's work because we exist to elevate their genius in all we do!
I studied in France for one year right after high school graduation.
BIO
Debra Watkins spent 37 years in the East Side Union High School District in San Jose, CA, as a teacher, counselor, and project manager before retiring in 2012. During that same period, she was a founding member of the Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators (SCCABE), where she served as president from 1994 to 2001.
In 2001, she founded the California Alliance of African American Educators (CAAAE) and the Dr. Frank S. Greene Scholars Program (GSP). Named after an African American scientist who helped pave the way for today’s computers, the GSP sends 100% of its students to college, 90% graduate in 4 years with BA or BS degrees, and 60% of those are in STEM which is about 8 times the national average for Black students.
In 2015, she was one of the founders of Black Students of California United (BSCU).
In 2017, Debra officially changed the name of the CAAAE to A Black Education Network (ABEN). She currently serves as Executive Director. Contribute
Want to stay updated?
Get notified when new photos, stories and other important updates are shared.
Please consider a contribution to ABEN A Black Education Network.
Support this cause:
Contribute
Share this memorial website
Created with love by
Dr. Eleanor L. Harvey (Pastor Edward's daughter).
Give to ABEN A Black Education Network
Give