It started with a dream, a dream in the night that challenged the dream of the author's life. That dream, which evolved through her personal experiences, was to start an African-centered school. The dream in the night ignited the journey that led to this book, which was to discover answers to critical questions such as: What is an African-centered education model? How do former students perceive this experience? And can, or even should, this educational model be effectively adopted in traditional public schools? Joyce Piert offers this book as a critical resource to parents, educators, potential teachers, community leaders, and policymakers who are seriously pondering the question of how to provide all students with a holistic educational experience. In Alchemy of the Soul, the vibrant voices of African American young adults share their stories in robust and candid narratives of their educational experiences at an African-centered school.

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Joyce Piert is the CEO and founder of I AM Institute for Learning (IAMIL). Piert earned her doctorate from Michigan State University in educational administration (K-12). She is an educator who has taught in both secondary and higher education. Her current research is on African-centered education; spirituality and education; and school leadership. Her areas of interest include urban education, school leadership, ethnocentric education, mathematics education, and social justice. She is the author of publications in journals such as The Journal of Urban Mathematics Education, The Urban Review, and The Negro Educational Review.