About Us

Our History

From a home on 54th Street in 1986 to a thriving Pre-K through 8th grade institution.

Our History

Founded by members of the Wo’se Community Church in 1986, Ile Omode has educated hundreds of children — an act of kujichagulia, self-determination — for nearly four decades.

Founded 1986
Pre-K through 8th
First 8th-grade class: 2009
House of the Children (Yoruba)

Our Journey

History

“The mere imparting of information is not education.”

— Dr. Carter G. Woodson

“It is not who you attend school with but who controls the school you attend.”

— Nikki Giovanni

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.”

— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Origins

🕊

Queen Mother: Mama Jasiri Neema Kadiri (1949–1996)

One of the founding mothers, Mama Jasiri taught Ile Omode preschoolers from the school’s inception until her passing. She was both an inspiration and a treasure. After her passing, the preschool was renamed in her honor to the “Mama Jasiri Preschool.”

Her signature song: “I Am So Thankful to be African”

Since 1986 Ile Omode has educated hundreds of children in the regular school program, as well as afterschool, weekend, and summer programs.

Founding (1986)

In 1986, the members of Wo'se Community Church decided that there was a need to develop an independent, African-centered educational institution in Oakland, California. Members were concerned with the mis-education and the culturally and spiritually deficient education imposed on African and African American youth in the public schools.

The members of Wo'se Community Church established Ile Omode as a manifestation of kujichagulia, self-determination. As Dr. Maulana Karenga reminds us that kujichagulia requires that communities, “determine their own destiny”, and thus take responsibility for changing their conditions.

The Name

Ile Omode are words of the Yoruba people of West Africa. Together, they mean “House of the Children”. Children are obviously essential to a school, but the name recognizes that we exist so that they may be served. Our school is designed to educate and train our young people to become outstanding leaders and workers for our people.

Milestones

Adrien Herron was the school’s first 8th grade graduate in 2009, and since then, Ile Omode generally graduates approximately 5 to 7 students a year. In 2010, a partnership with a local community college allowed our advanced students to concurrently enroll in an advanced math course, and Bakare Awakoaiye was the first Ile Omode student to complete a college course while in the 8th grade. Since then several students have completed courses at the college, and every student earned an “A” in the course.

Recognition

Oakland City Council recognizes Ile Omode’s decades of service to the community

A Timeline of Directors

1986

Founded

Ile Omode began its formal educational program in 1986 as a licensed preschool with offerings for kindergarten children as well. The founders and first teachers were Oluri Oyin, Okanona Ka Kalungu, and Jasiri Neema Kadiri. The school started with fewer than a dozen students, many of whom were children of Wo’se families.

1988

New Home

Ile Omode moves from the original home site to its permanent campus at 8924 Holly Street in East Oakland. Mama Jasiri served as one of the early directors of the preschool, and joined the ancestors in 1996. After her passing the preschool was renamed in her honor to the “Mama Jasiri Preschool”.

1989

State Recognition

In September 1989 Ile Omode was recognized by the State of California as a private school. To honor our historic ancestors, each classroom is named after an ancestor, and classroom names include “Marcus Garvey”, “Malcolm X”, “Frederick Douglass”, “John Coltrane”, “Ngola Nzingha”, “Zora Neale Hurston”, and “Harriet Tubman”.

1991

Elementary Expansion

In 1991 a first grade was added, and administrators continued to add additional grades throughout the 1990s. By the late nineties the school had added grades 1st through 6th.

2008

Middle School

In 2008 a middle school was added. The school presently offers a preschool, elementary, and middle school program.

2009

First Graduates & College Tour

The school’s first 8th grade class graduated in 2009. One of the middle school’s unique offerings is the out-of-state college tour. Baba Jahi Awakoaiye began the first tour that same year, when 9 Ile Omode middle school students took a week-long trip to Washington, DC. Five of the students from the inaugural group were later accepted to Howard University in high school, and two of the students attended Howard University. Since then, Ile Omode generally graduates approximately 5 to 7 students a year.

2010

College Partnership

In 2010, a partnership with Laney College allowed our advanced students to concurrently enroll in an advanced math course. The first Ile Omode student completed a college course while in the 8th grade. Since then several students have completed courses at the college, and every student has earned an “A”.

Today

Continuing the Legacy

During our history, we have served hundreds of children and their families. Nearly four decades strong, Ile Omode continues producing scholars and leaders who carry African-centered values into the world.

Be Part of Our Story

Join the families who have trusted Ile Omode for nearly four decades.

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