2025 June Newsletter
Greetings,
We have some exciting news to announce and opportunities to support ACE. First, congratulations to all of the ACE young men that will be graduating high school this year. It has been our pleasure building with you since middle school. You all are going to go on and do great things. This is just the start to your next chapter. You Can Do All Things You Put Your Mind To.
We are excited to announce that we have been awarded a Best Starts for Kids (BSK) King County grant. ACE was one of twelve organizations that were awarded the School to Prison Pipeline grant. This is a two and half year grant that will allow us to continue our Career Pathways services. These services help young men become workforce ready and connect them with paid internships with local BIPOC businesses. This is a great experience for our young men and helps strengthen our community.
Join us June 22nd at Genesee Park for our Day of Excellence 5K walk/run. This event serves two purposes. The first is the focus this event brings on health and wellness awareness for our community. This is also a fundraiser for our scholarships. We are looking to raise $15,000 for 15, $1,000 scholarships for 5 ACE high school graduates and 10 current ACE college students. I hope to see you there.
I can't leave without giving all the dads out there a shout out. Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there.
Sincerely,
Clarence Dancer, Jr.
2025 ACE Day of Excellence 5k Run/Walk
Join Us for the ACE Academy 5K Run/Walk Fundraiser!
Date: Saturday, June 22, 2025
Location: Genesee Park, Seattle, WA
Time: Check-in at 8:00 AM | Race begins at 9:00 AM
Fundraising Goal: $15,000 scholarships for ACE Alumni pursuing college and career endeavors
Open to All | Family-Friendly | All Fitness Levels Welcome!
Get ready to lace up your sneakers and hit the trails for a cause that’s close to home and heart. ACE Academy is hosting its first-ever 5K Run/Walk Fundraiser — and we want YOU there!
This is more than a race — it’s a movement. Whether you're a seasoned runner, a weekend walker, or just want to show up in support, we’re inviting our whole community to come together for Black youth empowerment, education, and opportunity.
Registration: https://aceacademydayofexcellence.eventbrite.com
Career Pathways Program
ACE is excited to announce the upcoming launch of our 2025 Career Pathways Program—a transformative opportunity designed to connect young Black men with meaningful, career-connected paid internships.
In partnership with BIPOC-owned businesses and nonprofits, the program equips participants with essential job readiness skills through career assessments, job training, mock interviews, and resume-building workshops. Youth gain hands-on experience while building relationships with BIPOC entrepreneurs and professionals in their community.
Monthly workshops cover topics such as resume writing, understanding your rights in the workplace, and include engaging field trips to local businesses and colleges.
Eligibility:
Black male youth, ages 16–24, residing in King County.
👉 Apply now: tinyurl.com/ACE25Pathways
Interested in hosting an intern?
We’re looking for businesses to partner with us. Contact Chris at chris@aceacademywa.org to learn more.
2025 Black Educator Focus Group
If you or someone you know is interested in signing up for a focus group about Black Educators, please complete the following survey.
To understand how Black educators experience, influence, and navigate curriculum development and student relationships, especially in terms of cultural responsiveness, autonomy, and connection with students—particularly Black learners
Following the completion of this form, an in-person will be hosted at our ACE Office.
Focus group will about 1.5 hours
feature 5-10 educators, both male and female
In-depth discussions about Curriculum Design/Instruction and Student Relationships/Engagement
Key Objectives
Identify how the curriculum reflects (or fails to reflect) Black students’ lived experiences.
Explore the degree of autonomy Black educators have in adapting curriculum.
Examine the strategies educators use to build authentic relationships with students.
Highlight the impact of educator identity on student engagement and belonging.
Surface barriers and opportunities related to culturally responsive teaching and advocacy.
Discussion Focus Areas
Curriculum Design & Instruction
Representation of Black culture, history, and voices in required materials
Flexibility to tailor instruction to student needs
Challenges in implementing culturally relevant pedagogy
Resources and supports needed to design liberatory learning experiences
Student Relationships & Engagement
Approaches to building trust and rapport, especially with Black students
Social-emotional needs of students and how educators meet them
Impact of Black educator presence on student self-esteem and performance
Institutional support (or lack thereof) for meaningful student connection
Click the link to register: https://forms.gle/TMQ9H7GcQSFDSFjR8
Support ACE’s Summer Learning Experience!
This summer, the ACE Academy Summer Learning Experience (SLE) will empower rising 8th-grade Black boys with hands-on learning in Humanities, Math, and Science—alongside daily enrichment through Health & Wellness, Reading & Writing, and weekly field trips. Each student receives an individualized learning and leadership plan, supporting both academic and personal growth, all while rediscovering the joy of learning.
You can make this possible.
Your donation helps cover staff wages, program materials, food, stipends, transportation, and more:
$1,000 – Food, snacks, field trips & transportation
$500 – Stipends & incentives
$325 – Program supplies (shirts, books, drones, etc.)
$150 – Backpacks, school supplies & essentials
$50 – STEM supplies for one student
🙏 Give today: aceacademywa.org/donate-sponsor
SAVE THE DATE: 8/23 ACE Vibe Bingo
SAVE THE DATE August 23, 2025: Get ready for a great time of music, energy, and community at Vibe Bingo
RSVP Link to be released.
Music-based bingo • Prizes • Food • Black joy
We’re dropping beats, not numbers — and you don’t wanna miss this!
Stay tuned for more details.