AFAM Provides Comfortable Space

January 27, 2023

Suraya Hodges ‘24 and her family moved to St. Paul and she transferred to CDH from Champlin High School at the beginning of this school year. So far it has been a positive experience and she is happy to be at CDH this year.

It didn’t take her long to adjust to the new school. “When I first got here, everybody knew everybody and people were very helpful and friendly. They already knew my name and showed me around. I had people to eat lunch with right away.”

A big part of Suraya's smooth transition to CDH was AFAM, a club at CDH where students gather to decompress their day with others who look like them and possibly share similar experiences. It is catered to students who identify as Black (African-American or descendants of Africa) as well as first generation students. 

AFAM is run by Ms. Crystal Flint, who is also Suraya’s basketball coach and student advocate at CDH. Suraya knew of Ms. Flint from basketball camps and showcases she had attended and was thrilled to have the opportunity to be on her team and at her school.

Suraya's favorite parts about AFAM are the speakers, relaxing, homework days and being able to take a break. She is a big fan of how “Coach Crystal” brings in speakers and helps students prepare for careers. So far these have included police officers and a district attorney. Both gave the students valuable real world advice and an accurate account of what they do every day in their careers.

Suraya's favorite class so far is Photography, where she discovered a passion for taking pictures. What she really likes more than anything about CDH though, is the people, and AFAM has given her an opportunity to build friendships in a comfortable space. 

Membership in AFAM is open to any student who would like to participate.  Members are required to accept core values of unity, respect, compassion and pride.