African American History and Culture: A Grassroots Interpretation of Culturally-Relevant Teaching for Academic Achievement and College Access

Abstract

The Achievement, Confidence and Excellence (ACE) Academy in Memphis is a partnership involving the University of Memphis, its Benjamin Hooks Institute for Social Change, and three area school districts. ACE operates as a Saturday Institute, serving three hundred seventh to twelfth grade African American students. Grounded in culturally relevant pedagogy, the Academy's curriculum uses African American history to facilitate high school students' mastery of traditional academic subjects and increase their desire to achieve at higher levels in school and to continue on to college.