CORIBE is advancing a transformative vision of education that goes beyond "closing the achievement gap" to further the survival and enhancement of people of African ancestry. Such a vision encompasses both academic and cultural excellence. A commitment to our cultural knowledge base is neither divisive nor just a "minority" issue. As history has taught us, our "particular wrong" is a reflection of the more general state of injustice, here and elsewhere, that calls us to action. The CORIBE work plan included:

• Mobilizing a distinguished group of Commissioners, and a dynamic and diverse network of Participants, including researchers, graduate students, practitioners, policy makers and community educators;
• Research Briefs prepared by leading AERA focused on analysis of the state of research knowledge and best practices in Black education;
• Research Demonstrations that included a cross-disciplinary focus on culture as an asset in learning at all levels, including model online graduate student research training and mentoring;
• Analytical work on Black education globally, including scholarly exchanges regarding common problems and mutual interests of Diaspora and continental African people;
• Convening a Working Colloquium to frame a research and action agenda; Hosting a web-site that supports communication and collaboration among a network of scholars and educators on the global, regional and community levels linked electronically;
• and Seeking additional for funding.

In addition, a number of beneficial research and teaching practices and approaches that CORIBE has identified will be featured at an "Educational Excellence Expo" during the AERA 2001 annual meeting.

The CORIBE logo, is the Adinkra symbol Hwehwemudua from the culture of the Akan people of Ghana, West Africa. The symbol represents excellence, superior quality, perfection, knowledge and critical examination.

The Commission is funded by AERA. Support is gratefully acknowledged from The Open Society Institute (SOROS Foundation).

Support from Medgar Evers College, CUNY is also greatly appreciated.

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