A handshake. A hug. A warm smile — gestures to let you know that you are welcomed in this community.
Since 1986 we have dedicated ourselves to educating African-American youth, and believe that the role we play is absolutely vital to the health and vitality of this community, both locally and throughout the diaspora.
We are challenged to create new leaders who borrow from the traditions of our past, but are fully cognizant of their place in this century and the tools it offers. From preschool to eighth grade we want every child to find their calling in an environment filled with love and surrounded by people with the highest expectations.
— Baba Jahi Awakoaiye, Director
The Negro race, like all races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men. The problem of education, then, among Negroes must first of all deal with the Talented Tenth; it is the problem of developing the Best of this race that they may guide the Mass away from the contamination and death of the Worst.
— W.E.B. DuBois, The Talented Tenth (1903)
Jahi Awakoaiye was born and raised by his mother in Oakland, California. He earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering at San Diego State University and an M.S. in Computer Engineering from Santa Clara University. After graduating in 1991, he spent ten years at Intel Corporation, holding design responsibilities for the Pentium processor and co-founding Intel’s first African employee group, NIA-e.
He earned tenure and served as Department Chairperson of Computer Systems at Laney College, where he taught Java, C++, and web design, until the call of supporting and growing Ile Omode proved stronger than part-time participation would allow.
Education is an enterprise essentially about the development of human excellence, the creation of meaningful community, and the enhancement of the quality of the world in which we live.
— Dr. Maulana Karenga, founder of Kwanzaa and the Nguzo Saba
He and his wife Sia have three children — Bakare, KaRa, and Khukheper — each of whom attended Ile Omode from preschool through graduation, were selected for the National Honor Society, and received full academic scholarships to college. Baba Jahi is the author of four books and serves on the Wo’se Community Church Council of Elders.
We invite you to visit our campus and experience firsthand what makes Ile Omode a special place. Schedule a tour, sit in on a class, or join us at one of our monthly Open Houses.
Directors of Ile Omode
About Baba Jahi Awakoaiye
- B.S. Electrical Engineering, San Diego State University
- M.S. Computer Engineering, Santa Clara University
- Former Intel Corporation Engineer (Pentium processor)
- Former Dept. Chair, Computer Systems, Laney College
- Co-founder, Intel’s NIA-e African employee group
- Author of four published books
- Wo’se Community Church Council of Elders
- Director of Ile Omode since 2001
Ready to learn more?