A Revolutionary Approach to Education: An Interview with Aminata Umoja, Founder of Kilombo Academic & Cultural Institute

In a world where traditional education systems often overlook the cultural and historical experiences of Black children, Kilombo Academic & Cultural Institute stands as a beacon of empowerment, knowledge, and liberation. Founded by visionary educator and community activist Aminata Umoja, Kilombo is more than just a school—it’s a movement. Rooted in African-centered principles, the school cultivates not only academic excellence but also cultural pride, social responsibility, and critical thinking.

In this exclusive Head2Toe Magazine interview we speak with Ms. Umoja to discuss what inspired the birth of Kilombo, the impact it has had on generations of students, and why culturally relevant education is essential to building strong, conscious communities.

The Interview with the founder

Head2Toe: What inspired you to start Kilombo Academic & Cultural Institute, and how has the vision evolved since its founding?

CEO/Founder Aminata Umoja: The Creator called me to open Kilombo. At the time, I was working as a model teacher leader—a teacher coach—in a large public school district in Georgia. On my way to meet with my supervisor, driving down Freedom Parkway near the Carter Center, when a heavy wave of depression came over me. I realized that no matter how hard I worked, I wasn’t going to make a significant difference. I could support and influence a great teacher, but the next year, another teacher could undo all that progress. The problem wasn’t individual teachers—it was systemic.

The public school system was not designed to tap into the excellence of Black, Latino, Native, Asian, or poor white children. It was built to maintain the status quo. That realization weighed heavily on me—until the Holy Spirit whispered, “Ask Mark about a Freedom School.”

Mark Ogunwale Lomax, the pastor of First Afrikan Church in Lithonia, was already thinking the same thing. When I brought it up, he said “Yes” immediately and told me he’d already begun speaking with others. We agreed it shouldn’t be a Christian school, but rather open to families from all spiritual paths—Christian, Muslim, African traditionalist, or otherwise. We began planning Kilombo in the fellowship hall of First Afrikan Church.

Our founding committee included Rev. Dr. Mark Lomax, Dr. Itihari Toure, Rev. Susan Oyabi Mitchell, Kokayi Issa, Pam Alexander, and Terrance Oluremi Drake—who suggested the name “Kilombo,” based on the Bantu word. The largest Kilombo was Quilombo in Brazil—maroon communities formed by Africans who escaped enslavement. We use Kilombo instead of “maroon” (which means runaway animals), to honor the sacredness of our resistance.

We began as a reading tutorial program—I trained volunteers to teach reading one-on-one, proving to the community that we knew how to teach. Then, in August 2005, we opened Kilombo in a small house in Decatur with just 12 children in Kindergarten and 1st grade. Kilombo exists because of the commitment of First Afrikan Church and the support of the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement. I was and am a member of both.

Even before the calling, I dreamed of starting a Freedom School. I volunteered at Marcus Garvey Elementary in Los Angeles, founded by Dr. Ainyim Palmer, who wrote my recommendation to Loyola Marymount University. I attended a Freedom School forum  at the Center for Black Survival in L.A., but chose to work in public schools because that’s where most of our children were. Eventually, I saw that Black people must control the education of Black children. That’s our responsibility.

Looking ahead, Kilombo plans to help build a Liberation Campus in the heart of the Black community—home to Kilombo (PK–8), our sister high school TSK (Tamu Sana Kanyama Preparatory Academy), the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, the New Afrikan Scouts, Black Man’s Lab, Black Woman’s Lab, and Community Aid and Development (CAD).

African Centered Education

Head2Toe: Kilombo places strong emphasis on African-centered education—why is that important for today’s youth, and how do you see it impacting their confidence and identity?

CEO/Founder Aminata Umoja: Dr. Asa Hilliard once said from the pulpit at First Afrikan Church: “We must teach Black children who they are, where they came from, how we got here, and what we must do now.” That’s the foundation of African-centered education.

Dr. Marimba Ani coined the term MAAFA, meaning “great disaster.” It refers to the trauma of enslavement, the Middle Passage, Jim Crow, redlining, police brutality, and ongoing attacks on our existence. One of the first acts of oppression was to erase our names, cultures, and identities. We were forbidden to read and others forbidden to teach us. Today, books are still being banned and our history stripped from classrooms.

But when you know who you are, you walk with power. You cannot be easily manipulated. You demand justice. African-centered education gives our children the confidence to move through the world with purpose, rooted in their identity and legacy.

Kilombo Impact

Head2Toe: Can you share a proud moment or success story that reflects the mission and impact of Kilombo School?

CEO/Founder Aminata Umoja: There are many, but one of my favorites is Noni Gibbs Nkita Mayala. Noni is my godgranddaughter and one of the inspirations for founding Kilombo. We started Kilombo so she wouldn’t have to attend public school. Noni began at age four—she was our youngest scholar, surrounded by older children. She’d stare at the board, frustrated that she didn’t yet know everything. That hunger to learn has stayed with her.

Some people ask if we harm our children by not placing them in “integrated” schools. But when children are grounded in who they are, they can go anywhere. Noni is proof of that. After graduating from Kilombo, she moved to Sacramento and attended a predominantly white high school—where she excelled and graduated with honors. She then went to Spelman College and graduated with honors again.

She is now planning for graduate school, and more importantly, she remains rooted in the struggle for liberation. She’s a member of the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement and works with youth through the New Afrikan Scouts, Camp Pumziko, and Ember Charter School in Brooklyn. She’s academically excellent and committed to justice. That’s what Kilombo produces.

School Challenges

Head2Toe: What challenges have you faced building and sustaining a culturally relevant school, and how have you navigated them?

CEO/Founder Aminata Umoja: Like most Black institutions, one of our biggest challenges is overcoming the miseducation that teaches Black people not to believe in ourselves. We descend from greatness—the Dogon who charted the stars, the University of Sankore, and the great empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay. But too many of us have been taught that our history began with slavery. When you know you are a descendant of pyramid builders, you walk the world differently.

We also face financial challenges, like many Black businesses. But I believe once we decide—really decide—to build and invest into Black institutions, the resources will follow. We must be clear: loving Black people is not hatred of others. It is necessary and healthy.

Community involement

What do you want the wider community to know about Kilombo, and how can they support or get involved in your continued efforts?

Kilombo’s mission is to foster an academically excellent and culturally relevant education that produces students who are equipped to succeed globally and committed to social justice.

CEO/Founder Aminata Umoja: We are committed to rigorous academics, cultural relevance, and spiritual well-being. Every child at Kilombo is loved, assessed, and pushed to grow. If your child is below grade level, we intervene with intention, on track, we push them further. If they’re above grade level, we challenge them. Most of our scholars score above average on standardized tests—and the longer they stay, the better they perform.

But test scores are only part of the story. We believe our children are divine. They are gifted. According to the NAEP (2022), only 14% of Black 8th graders are proficient in reading and just 9% in math in the usa. That’s not acceptable. At Kilombo, your child will be safe, challenged, and affirmed.

We’ve recently relocated to the beautiful campus of Fairfield Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia. We’re still enrolling PK–8th grade students—and we welcome your family to join us.

Here’s how you can support Kilombo:
Visit us: www.kilomboschool.com
Text us: 404-992-8021
Join the Committed 1000: Give monthly to sustain our mission: Committed 1000
Adopt a Scholar: Sponsor a child’s tuition: Adopt a Scholar
Together, we can build institutions that serve our people with love, truth, and excellence.