Home Community Umoja Academy seeks to fill gaps in education for Alaska’s Black youth

Umoja Academy seeks to fill gaps in education for Alaska’s Black youth

by The 100 Companies

You’re likely familiar with one of Alaska’s most prolific entrepreneurs, Jasmin Smith, owner of Umoja CoWorking. We spoke to Smith to learn more about Umoja Academy, an immersion program aimed at teaching Black children about their culture through sense of self — a topic often left out of traditional school curriculums.

“Sitting in school, there was no representation. It wasn’t until speaking with Black elders in the community that this knowledge was acquired,” said Smith. “We loved the feeling that our kids got from this and wondered how we can make it happen all year.”

Contact umojacoworking@gmail.com for program information.

Jovell Rennie, The Alaska 100

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The Alaska 100