O ver the last 27 years, Imani ChristianAcademy has served as an alternative to public education for children in Pre-K through 12th grade. The vision for Imani was born out of a desire to create a learning environment that was safe and free of violence, with Christ as the foundation of their education.When asked what sets Imani apart, Paulo Nzambi, CEO & Head of School, answered immediately, “Our unwillingness to compromise our faith in God in pursuit of excellence in education. We believe they are one and the same.” As an academy that educates 152 students per year, Imani believes that children cannot learn and grow unless they have been shown love first; and use Christ’s example to heal their students’ spirits, develop self-esteem within each child, and foster a new vision of their own unique potential. Serving a student body of 98% black students, Paulo acknowledges the utmost importance of strengthening a healthy cultural identity and providing positive role models to his students that they might not find in their own personal lives. “Our children know they are in a safe place with us, where they are encouraged to explore their own unique talents and interests that may very well differ from their cultural norm. We are here to encourage our students to grow beyond what society has told them they should be.” An astounding 100% of their seniors graduate, and all without the rigorous academic curriculum, spiritual formation, and support services offered at Imani, their students may have ended up in very different circumstances. 100% of their seniors graduate and all have a secondary education plan, whether that be attending college or a trade school. Several of them have received full or partial academic scholarships for their secondary education paths. This track record has been repeated consistently since Imani’s founding and represents a remarkable post- graduation story – particularly when one considers that, on a national level, fewer than 65% of African-American males finish high school. Operating as a 501c3, Imani offers many ways to support them financially, through personal and business donations. They are also seeking after-school tutors and special program volunteers, student tuition sponsorships and ongoing tech support. For more information on how you can help impact a student’s life, please contact their Director of Development, Barbara Nicholas (BNicholas@imaniadmin.org). I mani C hristian A cademy Written by Jessi Johansson, with contributions by Imani Christian Academy
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