The Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) is an American professional organization for college and high school students. It founded on the

campus A campus traditionally refers to the land and buildings of a college or university. This will often include libraries, lecture halls, student centers and, for residential universities, residence halls and dining halls. By extension, a corp ...

of Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia, on October 17, 1990. SAAB mentors young African American men by educating them on their responsibilities as United States citizens. The general objective of the program is to make each young man aware of his potential, purpose, and life goals; however, much emphasis is focused on leadership development and training. It has over 168 chapters in the

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and abroad.

History

Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe established the Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) on October 17, 1990 on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University. Bledsoe was the Vice President for Student Life and Special Assistant to the President at the

University of Toledo The University of Toledo (UToledo or UT) is a Public university, public research university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. It is the northernmost campus of the University System of Ohio. The university also operates a Health Science campus, ...

but transitioned into the role of executive director of the SAAB National Headquarters. Bledgsoe established the Student African American Brotherhood to address the academic and social challenges of African American males at Georgia Southwestern and has many collegiate and high school chapters around the country. SAAB is committed to providing opportunities for at-risk males in high schools and colleges. SAAB is a

professional A professional is a member of a profession or any person who work (human activity), works in a specified professional activity. The term also describes the standards of education and training that prepare members of the profession with the partic ...

organization whose members serve as role models for inner-city neighborhoods throughout the country. SAAB tries to help men of color to realize and achieve their fullest potential by upholding a caring outlook and to transform themselves by changing their attitudes, mentoring their fellow brothers and providing positive

leadership Leadership, is defined as the ability of an individual, group, or organization to "", influence, or guide other individuals, teams, or organizations. "Leadership" is a contested term. Specialist literature debates various viewpoints on the co ...

within their community. The organization’s commitment to enhancing the school and life experiences of

underprivileged Social privilege is an advantage or entitlement that benefits individuals belonging to certain groups, often to the detriment of others. Privileged groups can be advantaged based on social class, wealth, education, caste, age, height, skin colo ...

men of color is fueled by the synergy of the college campus and the concept of graduating from high school and college as a means to survival and self-sufficiency. By mobilizing and developing human capital through our student participants, SAAB hopes to infuse our society with a culture of young men that will make a national impact and empower all people through appropriate mentoring and role modeling despite social disparities, to achieve an education and in turn play an active role in bettering the lives of others.

Chapter structure

SAAB attempts to distinguish itself from other minority student programs in the following ways: # A national success rate as a dynamic educational-based organization that serves thousands of young men at 180 middle schools, high schools; community colleges and four-year institutions with chapters that are at least 5 years old. Eighty Six percent (86%) of SAAB student members graduate from college, compared to a national average of 42% among black men in particular. # To become a SAAB member one must accept the charge to be a role model and a mentor. SAAB members are polite, sincere, hardworking, and encouraging; knowing that these characteristics are counter to the popular but offensive negative images of young black and brown men in America. # SAAB members are required to tutor and mentor high school, middle school and elementary students as a way to seed the same caring spirit that SAAB promotes. # When compared to other male support groups and fraternal organizations geared towards the same population, SAAB maintains stricter membership requirements that are unrelated to entertainment or sports. SAAB Chapters must adhere to annual membership requirements and core standards to remain part of the national network and comply with implementation fidelity desired across all chapters.

Membership

SAAB membership is open to any student attending an institution that is a registered SAAB Chapter.

Activities

The First International SAAB Leadership Institute was held at the

Toledo, Ohio Toledo ( ) is a city in Lucas County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. It is located at the western end of Lake Erie along the Maumee River. Toledo is the List of cities in Ohio, fourth-most populous city in Ohio and List of United Sta ...

on March 4–6, 2004 under the theme "Strength for Your Journey: Voices of the Past."

Brother A brother (: brothers or brethren) is a man or boy who shares one or more parents with another; a male sibling. The female counterpart is a sister. Although the term typically refers to a family, familial relationship, it is sometimes used ende ...

s from various chapters were able to meet with other brothers who held similar goals and aspirations. The Student African American Brotherhood members serve their communities through mentorship,

role model A role model is a person whose behaviour, example, or success serves as a model to be emulated by others, especially by younger people. The term ''role model'' is credited to sociologist Robert K. Merton, who hypothesized that individuals compa ...

ing, and programming that highlights the experiences of African American

culture Culture ( ) is a concept that encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and Social norm, norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, Social norm, customs, capabilities, Attitude (psychology), attitudes ...

as well as black men’s roles in society.

References

{{reflist, 2 Student organizations in the United States 1990 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state) Student organizations established in 1990