Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ)
Andre Dukes, MA has a diverse work experience in various roles aimed at community development and education. Andre most recently served as the Vice President of Family and Community Impact at Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ), where they led initiatives such as the Family Academy, Early Childhood, Parent Leadership, and Community Engagement. In this role, they were responsible for planning, developing, managing, and implementing strategies to improve outcomes for individuals and families, with a goal of achieving community-level change.
Prior to their work at NAZ, Andre was the Assistant Pastor at Shiloh Temple International Ministries. In this role, they provided strategic oversight of all programs and departments within the church, as well as leadership to staff and congregants. Andre also represented the church's interests within the community.
Before that, Andre held the position of Senior Director Collective Impact - Early Childhood at Northside Achievement Zone, where they contributed to the organization's efforts to improve early childhood education outcomes.
Earlier in their career, Andre served as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Northside Achievement Zone, where they led the innovation of the Family Academy parent education curriculum and facilitated instruction for other programs. Andre also represented the NAZ model to key stakeholders locally and nationally.
Throughout their career, Andre has demonstrated a commitment to community empowerment, education, and improving outcomes for individuals and families.
Andre Dukes, MA obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Biblical Studies from the Minnesota Graduate School of Theology. Andre then pursued a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Applied Child and Adolescent Development at the University of Minnesota. Additionally, Andre earned a Certificate in Infant Mental Health and Early Childhood Development from the University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management.
Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ)
The Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) exists to permanently close the achievement gap and end generational poverty in North Minneapolis. Together with our partner organizations, we are walking side by side with low-income families as they put their children on a path to college. NAZ has a game-changing approach that is closing the achievement gap. NAZ’s wraparound framework effectively supports low-income children of color so that they will graduate from high school prepared for college. Our approach is working. NAZ-enrolled families are making remarkable strides. Our children are not only showing improved academic outcomes at key kindergarten and third grade benchmarks, but families are stabilizing their housing, employment, and health. These early successes are already driving a culture change in North Minneapolis. Return on investment. A study by Wilder Research demonstrates that each dollar invested in NAZ provides more than a $6 societal return.