WS Chronicle

By Busta Brown

When I read the heartbreaking stories about the bullying and violence in our Black and brown schools and neighborhoods, I’m reminded of one of the visions God has given me that truly fills my heart – the idea of “Triad Strong.” It’s the beautiful truth that Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and High Point are not just neighboring cities, they are one. The struggles and dreams of our Black and brown families and youth are the same, and when one of us shines, we all shine. So, every time I hear about an organization, school, or individual doing something amazing to empower our youth in any of these cities, my hope and faith in the future of our youth is reenergized. It’s a reminder that when we find something that works, we have to share it! Together, we’re unstoppable, because we’re Triad Strong!

Today, let’s take a ride to Greensboro, North Carolina, the home of Amandla Academy. It’s a newly established school dedicated to empowering young minds, with providing an education that goes beyond textbooks. With a focus on resilience, leadership, and personal growth, Amandla Academy is setting out to rewrite the future for students who have too often been overlooked by traditional education systems. In a world where the odds are stacked against them, this innovative school offers more than just a chance to learn; it offers a chance to thrive. 

“At Amandla Academy, success goes beyond grades. It’s about discovering potential, building confidence, and developing leadership skills. For example, we offer specialized programs like our entrepreneurship classes, where students learn to create business plans and pitch ideas. We also have a communication class, where students produce their own podcasts, helping them find their voice and learn real-world skills.
On Thursdays, we host “Power Hour,” where students dress professionally and participate in activities that promote leadership and community. It’s a way to prepare them for the real world while reinforcing the importance of presentation and confidence. Our innovators also engage in virtual learning every other Friday, giving them the flexibility to thrive in a modern, tech-driven environment,” shared the school’s dean of students and master teacher, Bryan J. Pierce Jr.

Bryan is a humble and God-fearing young man whose welcoming spirit makes it easy for students to trust and open up to him. His passion for empowering youth and helping them see beyond their circumstances is deeply personal. Having experienced a school system that too often writes off and labels Black and brown youth, Bryan knows firsthand how these labels can hinder growth – mentally, spiritually, and academically. Because of his own struggles as a child in the school system in New Orlean, Louisiana, he is driven to support and uplift students, showing them that they are capable of achieving far more than society may lead them to believe. 

Bryan said, “I was becoming a preteen, giving my mom a hard time in New Orleans. She wanted to get me out of that environment because I was struggling in school and dealing with other challenges. I remember being in third or fourth grade, and I couldn’t read. I was severely behind. I needed personalized attention to succeed. Honestly, the school systems in Louisiana just weren’t equipped to help me. I was talkative in class, but no one really saw my potential. We both thought it would be best for me to move to North Carolina with my dad and my bonus mom. 

When I moved to North Carolina, things changed. I was able to get into a better school system and that made all the difference. Now, as a Black male educator, I understand the transformative power of having someone believe in you. I realize how important it is for students to feel cared for, and that’s something I carry with me in my own work. When a student feels like someone truly cares about them, it can make all the difference, just like it did for me.”

As a podcast and public speaking instructor in the Triad City schools, I’m proud to be part of the ‘Triad Strong’ community. However, I’ve witnessed some students face challenges with resilience, self-confidence, and leadership skills, often due to experiences with trauma or adversity. To address this, I asked the master teacher how they support and empower students facing such challenges. (I hope that other schools and organizations working with youth might adopt some of Amandla Academy’s strategies to support their own students in overcoming obstacles.)

Bryan said, “Our approach starts with meeting students where they are. Each day begins with mindfulness time, allowing students to decompress and set the tone for a productive day. Small class sizes and personalized attention help us build trust and address individual needs.
Programs like our boxing class with Coach Steven Matthews are designed to teach discipline, resilience, and the value of hard work. These activities show students that they are capable of overcoming challenges, both in and outside the classroom. Whether it’s through creative outlets like podcasting, physical activity like boxing, or leadership training in entrepreneurship, we make sure every student feels empowered to lead.”

I personally dislike the one-size-fits-all approach to teaching, so I’d asked how their school defines success for its students. What measures do you use to track their progress beyond traditional academic achievement? “We define success by growth. We believe that success is not about where you start, but how you move forward. We take things one step at a time and focus on progress. Our goal is simple, we want to see you grow, not just in knowledge, but in confidence, skills, and self-belief,” shared Pierce.

I also asked what sets them apart from traditional school settings, where some of the students feel unheard, unseen and unloved. “What sets us apart is that we see each student as an individual, and we’re here to empower you with the tools you need to be successful. Unlike traditional school settings where success is often measured by grades or test scores, we know that doesn’t work for everyone. Maybe you’re not a great test taker, so we don’t believe in forcing you into traditional assessments that might not reflect your true abilities.

Instead, we look for other ways to measure success. Maybe you shine through hands-on projects or real-life applications of the material. We recognize that you may understand the concepts deeply, even if a multiple-choice test gives you anxiety. So, we adapt our approach to make sure you have the chance to demonstrate your knowledge in ways that feel right for you.

Whether you prefer to take your test in a quiet corner, on the floor, or on your laptop, we’re committed to creating an environment where you can thrive, not one that pressures you to conform to a rigid standard. Ultimately, we want to see you succeed in a way that works for you,” 

I asked the dean of students to share one of his most memorable success stories; his smile and spirit lit up with pride and excitement. “At Amandla Academy, we call our students innovators. One of our innovators had previously struggled at a traditional school. This particular student faced challenges with the legal system and lacked confidence in the classroom. The court system had essentially given up, and the only option left was a private institution. We gave them the one-on-one attention they needed and then encouraged them to explore their interests. They became deeply engaged in our entrepreneurship program. What started as a desire to simply make money, led to something far more meaningful. Today, they run a successful candy business on campus and have become a leader here as well. Before graduating next year, we will ensure this student gets an LLC for their business. We believe that many of our innovators will be ready to launch their own businesses by the time they graduate.”

He added, “God has already written your story, and I try to live by that. Even with everything going on, we’ve had students who have come to us with difficult pasts. Students whom many other schools have given up on. We don’t focus on their pasts. What matters most to us is their future. We care more about where they are going than where they’ve been.” 

The school is currently located inside the New Light Missionary Baptist Church at 1105 Willow Rd, in Greensboro, NC. For more info or to apply, call (336) 392-8099 or send an email to pierceb@amandla.academy

My Phenomenal Person and Organization of the Week are Bryan J. Pierce Jr and Amandla Academy.