Spark Spotlight:
AAALI Celebrates 10 Years of Black Brilliance
At Spark, we have a front-row seat to the complexities of public education. Through it all, we remain steadfast in our belief that strong public schools are fundamental to the success of our city and a cornerstone of our democracy. Public schools educate every child and support families regardless of background or need — and that conviction is at the center of Spark's mission and work.
In this Spark Spotlight, we are proud to spotlight the work of SFUSD’s African American Achievement and Leadership Initiative - best known as AAALI. For 10 years, the Spark community has supported AAALI’s work to promote the success of African American students and families. As Black History Month draws to a close, we congratulate AAALI on their 10 year anniversary, and embrace the next decade of partnership in advancing and championing black student excellence and brilliance.
That's how Laticia Erving describes her experience entering San Francisco public schools. Today, 25 years into her career with SFUSD, she leads AAALI — the district's African American Achievement and Leadership Initiative, now celebrating its 10th anniversary — with a mission rooted in that same simple yet radical act: to see every Black student fully, affirm their brilliance, and create pathways for them to realize their brightest potential.
“They Saw Me.”
Meet Laticia Erving, AAALI’s Leader and Champion
❤️ We want to take this moment to acknowledge all AAALI staff members for their crucial roles making this program what it is today ❤️
Laticia Erving - Executive Director / Special Assistant to the Superintendent
Bobby Pope - Partnerships Manager
Glenn Bell - Mastering Cultural Identity (MCI) Integration Specialist
Mauricha Robinson - African American Parent Advisory Council Program Manager
Marcus Blacksher Jr. - Black Star Rising Program Manager
Judson Steele - Student Leadership and Engagement Manager
Thank You Spark Community:
A Decade of Championship for Black Student Success
The Spark community has collectively channeled close to $2 million to support AAALI’s work. The impact is immeasurable. Their support helped expand Each and Every by Name, boosting African American and Pacific Islander kindergarten literacy proficiency from 32% to 52% in a single school year. It sustains Mastering Cultural Identity courses across 12 high schools, powers Black Star Rising STEM programming for middle schoolers, and strengthens family voice through the African American Parent Advisory Council and Black Student Unions at 15 school sites.
In particular, we want to recognize the Golden State Community Foundation for their long-standing commitment. They have been more than a funder to AAALI — they've been a champion. Since 2015, the Foundation has invested over $1 million through Spark SF Public Schools in AAALI, with a recent award of $250,000 continuing that legacy.
Just before Thanksgiving, Laticia and the AAALI team brought together the students and families who participated in AAALI’s Fall Learning Lab to celebrate a community united in elevating Black student experience and achievement from K-12.
Students are back in session at the Learning Lab this winter and spring! If you’re curious to see them in action, get in touch for a tour.
What sets this partnership apart is its staying power. The Foundation has remained committed through every challenge — trusting Black educational leadership and believing in long-term, community-led solutions.
As Superintendent Dr. Maria Su puts it: "For ten years, the Golden State Community Foundation has stood by our African American students with unwavering commitment — and our students are flourishing because of it.".
AAALI’s Programming & Impact
Last fall, AAALI launched a new program - the Learning Lab on Saturdays. The Learning Lab is that extra touch during the weekend. Held in a warm, community-focused environment, it allows teachers to focus on smaller groups, where students can feel safe and supported in meeting academic challenges together. It’s an uplifting space to support increased outcomes for Black children in literacy, math, college & career pathways.
Black Star Rising (BSR) is a holistic Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program for high school students that focuses on STEM achievement, authentic community engagement, culturally sustaining practices and exposure to careers. Last year, BSR served 100% African American students, 65% of whom were economically disadvantaged.
Coordinated Care Teams that track student progress and strategize for supporting individual students.
Engaging families through personalized outreach, literacy kits, and family literacy nights, while also enhancing professional learning for staff and creating targeted support structures.
Customized data reports for teachers, a “Play Book” of best practices
Targeted academic support for literacy.
Thank you to the Bella Vista Foundation for it’s continued support of Each and Every.
Mastering Cultural Identity (MCI) aims to disrupt persistently inequitable outcomes for Black students by employing culturally affirming curricula and pedagogies. MCI courses teach lessons that integrate historical and contemporary African and African American cultural elements, empowering students to explore their identity, manage emotions, harness personal determination, and cultivate a positive sense of purpose for themselves, their families, and their communities. By enhancing students’ sense of belonging, self-identification as Black individuals, and fostering self-awareness and literacy, MCI significantly enriches the educational experience for Black students.
The African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC) is central to AAALI's work, empowering Black families as active partners and co-leaders in their children's education. These councils provide culturally responsive spaces where families build community, develop advocacy strategies, and strengthen home-to-school connections through monthly meetings, workshops, and collective action when needed. Rooted in the Dual Capacity-Building Framework, AAPACs simultaneously strengthen the skills of both families and educators, equipping parents with tools to support their children's academic and social-emotional development from early childhood through high school.
As AAALI looks toward its next decade, join us in building on this momentum. Learn more about AAALI’s programs — and stand with Spark in expanding opportunity, belonging, and lasting impact for Black students across San Francisco.