The Foundation facilitated a broad discussion in the community that resulted in the articulation of African American values that have historical basis and contemporary merit:
Accountability: Decisions and actions are weighed for the impact they will have on family and community. Honesty and loyalty are expected when one is accountable.
Community: Commitment to love, nurture, share, and be accountable to those with similar values; a feeling of shared risk and sense of common destiny.
Creativity: Ability to be resourceful and inventive using available talents and resources to survive and move forward.
Education: Commitment to information and understanding so African Americans can survive, improve, and contribute to the world.
Excellence: Dedication to doing and being our best in every task and every situation.
Faith/Possibility: Importance of belief beyond seeing that allows confidence in God, belief in ourselves, and faith in parents, elders, and leaders. Faith encourages persistence and rejects boundaries or limitations.
History: Determination that past experiences, contributions, trials, and victories of our people shall not be lost.
Humor: Willingness to laugh at ourselves and find the comical in circumstances that would crush lesser spirits.
Respect: Acknowledging the dignity of our families and the ideas, persons, titles, and institutions that are important to our community; treating others as one would like to be treated.
