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A group of high school students in the Essex County Schools of Technology district are making history as they champion the inclusion of the AP African American Studies (APAAS) in their school curriculum, now participating in its pilot program for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Three students who had a big part in having the school participate in the pilot program are Brian Ametekpor, Aminah Augustin, and Babajide Hamzat, who currently attend Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology, named after New Jersey’s first Black congressman. These high school seniors are involved in their school’s Black Student Union, a club revived by Ametekpor and Hamzat.
Last year, a group of seniors (one of whom Brian’s sister, Michelle Ametekpor) approached the trio about the inclusion of Black history lessons into the curriculum. Ametekpor, president of the Black Student Union, and recently named one out of three hundred Bank of America Student Leaders in the United States, felt compelled to advocate for his peers.
“I’m glad that they came to us with their concerns, it shows that we’re doing something right as a club,” Ametekpor said. “I remember watching my friend from a local Newark high school post her schedule with AP African American Studies on it and I knew that was exactly what we needed. And I knew the Black Student Union could help bring it to Payne Tech.”
Aminah Augustin, the Black Student Union’s Club Coordinator, and Leadership Enterprise For A Diverse America (LEDA) Scholar assisted with research and statistics. Augustin, an avid individual who is passionate about child psychology and educational policy, quickly attached herself to the project.
Augustin commented: “Throughout my years in school, I noticed the lack of emphasis on African American contributions to society. I didn’t like that we, in a marginalized community, learned more about the regressions in the Black community than the positive attributes that our ancestors provided. So when I was approached about ways we could implement Black history into our school’s curriculum, I jumped at the opportunity.”
Babajide Hamzat, Vice President of Payne Tech’s Black Student Union, along with being a Thrive Scholar and QuestBridge National College Match Finalist, understood the importance of students taking the controversial College Board course.
“It is a fact that America as a nation wouldn’t be as it is today without the contributions of Black people. I think it is important that these contributions are recognized and students become more aware of just how big of a role Black people play in American history, especially when we have historically been excluded or treated as inferior in textbooks. Additionally, our school is located in Newark, New Jersey, which was the location of violent riots during the civil rights movement. Since our school is named after Donald M. Payne, the first Black New Jersey congressman, it just makes sense that we have a course dedicated to African American history, as we interact with it every day,” said Hamzat.
“The students are aware that the course is controversial in certain states, such as Florida and Arkansas, as they excluded it from their state curriculum,” Ametekpor said. “I disagree with banning AP African American Studies. African American history is American history, not propaganda, and undermining our contributions erases our progress as a society. I find it absurd that students are restricted from studying courses they find interest in, just because of someone’s bias. Courses like AP African American Studies and AP Psychology are not indoctrination, and any student that wants to enroll in these courses shouldn’t be limited but encouraged.”
The trio, alongside other Black Student Union members, presented a pitch to their school’s administration, filled with student data. With administrative approval, Ametekpor emailed the College Board, only to be waitlisted. However, this did not dissuade the Black Student Union leaders.
“To me, being waitlisted wasn’t a major setback, it was a step forward,” Augustin explained. “Before we started this project, we acknowledged that implementing a course in our school’s curriculum would take time and dedication. I screamed with excitement when we heard back from the College Board that AP African American Studies could be available for the 2024-2025 school year. Although it would’ve saddened me to miss this opportunity, it warmed my heart knowing that my peers after us would be able to take it.”
After completing waitlist forms and follow-up emails, the College Board welcomed Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology into its pilot program, joining the likes of other Newark high schools. Robert Hebenstreit, a Social Studies teacher and Payne Tech’s 2023 Teacher of the Year teaches the course.
Hebenstreit eagerly shared, “I’m so excited to teach this course, it’s an honor. I can’t wait to see what everyone’s final projects are.” 43 students are currently enrolled in the AP African American Studies pilot program at Payne Tech. Brian expressed his gratitude, stating “I’m so glad that we’re able to bring this course to Payne Tech for the 2023-2024 school year. Being able to take this class in our senior year is such a blessing.”
When asked about the Black Student Union’s future endeavors, Babajide emphasized, “Our work doesn’t end here. Me and my peers on the executive board of the Black Student Union have already started work on next year’s Black History Month showcase, and we are constantly looking for ways to celebrate and educate others about Black history and culture. This is only the beginning.”
Named in honor of New Jersey’s first black Congressman, the Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology is a state-of-the-art facility that ushered in a new era of modern school buildings and technology-based curriculum for our students when it opened in 2018.
Robust programs in environmental science, robotics, music technology, and computers are now offered alongside traditional vocational programs such as plumbing, carpentry, and masonry. Each subject is taught in specially designed classrooms that allow the curriculum to evolve and enable technology to be introduced. For example, trade classes work in a combined setting so they experience how work sites operate. In addition, the two-story classroom is large enough for students to build a small house as they practice their skills.
Located in Newark’s West Ward, the Payne School has become a catalyst jumpstarting young minds preparing for the future and energizing rebirth and growth in the community.
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