2025 October Newsletter

Greetings,

It’s Fall season. Students are back to school, football, pumpkins, shorter days, leaves falling and wouldn’t you know it, we have October baseball. We are going through some changes of our own. Chelsea Oguike is stepping down as our Black Educator Coordinator. However, she is not leaving ACE all together. Chelsea will continue to support ACE by managing our website and social media accounts. We are forever grateful for the work that she did to build our Black Educator Institute platform. Hundreds of Black educators have professional development, classroom materials, mentoring, and much more. We wish her the very best as she takes no new adventures. That is not the only transition. Willie Seals, will no longer be the Senior Director of Programs. Instead, Willie will be stepping in to manage the Black Educator Institute, ACE Alumni engagement and organizational strategic planning. We are beyond excited that he will be able to continue to support ACE while pursuing his Doctorate in Education. We are not ACE without him. Thank you, does not say enough.

We kicked off the Fall season with a very successful fundraising event. We were once again invited to participate in the second annual Law Rocks Seattle event. Thank you to the law firm Schroeter, Goldmark and Bender and The Funk Docket, for sponsoring and supporting ACE for this year’s Law Rocks event. With their help and yours, we were able to raise above our goal of $35K! Thank you! 
As we celebrate gratitude and as we approach this giving season, invest in those who teach it. Support ACE’s Black Educator Institute and help empower our next generation of leaders. Please consider making a monthly contribution of $41 or a one time donation of $500 to support an educator to attend our 2026 Black Male Educator Summit.




Sincerely,

Clarence Dancer, Jr.

Executive Director

ACE Academy



The ACE Summer Learning Experience (SLE) was a success! 21 middle school age Black males and males of color were engaged in hands-on learning in Humanities and STEM—alongside daily enrichment through Health & Wellness, Life Skills, and weekly field trips. ACE SLE staff and interns worked with the young men in supporting both academic and personal growth, all while rediscovering the joy of learning.

ACE will be mentoring SLE participants during the upcoming school year and beyond.  Mentors will visit young men at their schools, hold events for them at ACE Headquarters, and much more!  You can still help support this important work!

🙏 Give today: aceacademywa.org/donate-sponsor

ACE would like to thank the following for their support during the 2025 Summer Learning Experience:

  • https://thebeacon.film/

  • https://www.aclu-wa.org/

  • https://www.blessedbustransportation.com/

  • https://jerkshackseattle.com/

  • https://app.thecut.co/barbers/redicuts

  • https://www.spl.org/

  • https://www.washington.edu/

  • https://www.seahawks.com/

  • https://www.ezcater.com/catering/soul-seattle-seattle?c3api=bing,1299622999116692,81226494858168&gclid=1a86eaecce821dafbc7b8278379e7e06&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=1a86eaecce821dafbc7b8278379e7e06&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=psch_bing_gen_na_tran_2022_natl-dsa-cpc&utm_term=catering%20&utm_content=Catering%20-%20DSA


Congratulations to Drayton J. for being named FAME Champ of the Summer for 2025 SLE!

ACE has kicked off the 2025 Career Pathways Program—a transformative opportunity designed to connect young Black men with meaningful, career-connected paid internships.

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 a Career Pathways intern?
Apply now at tinyurl.com/AcePathwaysBiz. We’re looking for businesses to partner with us. Contact Chris at chris@aceacademywa.org to learn more.

We are beyond grateful to everyone who contributed and joined us in September for this year’s Law Rocks Seattle fundraising event. The incredible support of The Fund Docket, the law firm Schroeter, Goldmark and Bender and all of you we were able to help us exceed our goal of $30K and raise over $35K.


A heartfelt thank you to Craig Sims, your leadership and dedication made this evening a success. We couldn't have done it without your support.

The eventing was unforgettable, from the VIP prefunk kickoff, to the electrifying main event. We are also excited to let you all know that The Funk Docket won the overall award for the second year in a row. They lit up the stage and had the crowd hyped once again.

Applications are now open for ACE’s F.A.M.E. Scholarship, supporting Black men pursuing higher education.  Five $1,000 awards will be granted—apply by November 14th!  Learn More & Apply HERE.

ACE Champ of the Month: Vayinde

This month, we’re proud to recognize Vayinde O. as our ACE Champ of the Month!

Vayinde first joined ACE during the pandemic through our FAME Saturday program, where he faithfully logged on each week for community, education, and fun with our staff and his peers. He later took part in ACE’s College Knowledge program, which included a statewide college tour. A visit to Central Washington University during that tour made a lasting impression—Vayinde is now in his second year of studies at CWU!

For the past two summers, Vayinde has served as an intern in ACE’s Summer Learning Experience, mentoring rising 8th graders and helping them prepare for high school and beyond. One of the highlights from this summer was his hands-on workshop on how to tie a tie, an experience that students and staff alike will not soon forget.

We celebrate Vayinde for his leadership, commitment, and continued connection to the ACE family!

Community Resources & Events

  • TONIGHT! Build 2 Lead Presents CIVIC CHAMPIONS YOUTH TOWN HALL This Thursday, October 23: This will take 6-8 pm at Family Life Center in Federal Way.  Topics include Youth Voices in the areas of gun violence, education, workforce development, and more. Click HERE for more info.

  • PSESD Career Connections Program: Are you 16-24 and ready to build skills, gain work experience, and explore career and education opportunities?  Funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), we connect young adults to pathways that support long-term success and economic mobility. Register HERE.

  • iUrban Teen iTrades & iData Summit: November 1, 2025 from 9 am- 3 pm at PSESD for ages 14-24.  Build Skills. Unlock Careers. Transform Your Future.  Register HERE.

  • 2025 Black & Brown Male Summit: Saturday November 15, 2026.  GOAL: To empower and motivate our Black and Brown young men to excel in academics and to accept nothing less than excellence from self.  ACE’s YOMHE program will be tabling and presenting a workshop!  More info and register HERE.

ACE