African on the Eastside (AOE)

Who we are
Africans on the Eastside is a community group composed of African, African American, and other immigrant parents in and around Bellevue, WA, recently formed to holistically address the trauma BIPOC students are facing in and outside of school-related to the Covid-19 pandemic and the increased racial unrest and protests after the murder of George Floyd.

What we do

Africans on the Eastside meld the life experiences, skills, ideas, and talents of parents, students, school staff, community members, and grassroots organizations to identify and support the needs of BIPOC youth and their families while facilitating the development of stronger peer relationships, promoting accountability, and cultivating the confidence to navigate personal and institutional roadblocks to success.

AOE works collaboratively with Bellevue School District schools, like-minded community networks and the district's Equity Department to engage youth in mentoring experiences, provide professional development to staff as well as facilitating parent/community forums to uncover the unspoken issues that keep students from succeeding in school and keep parents from actively engaging in their students' education. Community empowerment changes communities. Uncovering that power and giving it a platform to shine is our motivation.

School Partners:

(Bellevue Public School District)