Spentem was founded in the belly of a high-security prison. Its goal was to transform incarcerated men into moral power houses. And it worked. Many of the men Dr. Abdur-Rahman taught, mentored, and coached over two decades are now substance abuse recovery coaches, educators, strong fathers, and committed husbands. Today, Spentem assumes a continued responsibility to design programs that heighten the self-awareness of leaders from all racial backgrounds, education levels, religious affiliations, and classes as to meet the needs of an ever-fracturing world. Paramount to its mission, Spentem sees itself as a strategic disrupter in communities of color, professional environments, university campuses and school settings.
We believe that system-affected people (those who have been negatively affected by the welfare, educational, criminal justice systems) are in need of moral leadership training. We work with our clients to help them achieve a level of personal moral excellence unmatched by any self-help program. In fact, there are no programs that can do what we do. We will teach you out of ignorance, poverty and dishonor and into a life of aspiration, and integrity through our two-year Master Course program.
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With experience in one-on-one coaching, and facilitating programs in state correctional facilities, universities, high schools, migrant shelters, and national non-profits teaching a myriad of subjects including, self-awareness, restorative justice, personal growth, entrepreneurship, race and membership, legacy and trauma, we offer an array of initiatives that meet the following needs:
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(1) We define leadership in order to help our clients find themselves on the spectrum
(2) We offer dynamic strategies to empower student-leaders to become self-disciplined and strategic rather than negligent and emotional
(3) We prepare student-leaders with unique strategies to enhance their identities and amplify their skills and disposition
(4) We teach student-leaders how to be honorable, and peaceful at the same time
(5) We design financial literacy and business courses to meet the immediate needs of aspiring entrepreneurs
(6) We address the cowardice, selfishness, disloyalty, impatience, and jealousy that makes men into mice
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For two decades Dr. Abdur-Rahman has been at the forefront of responding to the leadership needs of system-affected communities through hosting restorative workshops, facilitating seminars, and participating in panels, and conferences. Comprised of experienced and credentialed facilitators, Spentem includes a diverse team of professors, terminal degree academics, substance recovery coaches, OGs, and licensed mental health clinicians. We have the credentials, situated knowledge, and lived experience to offer deeply penetrating programs that answer the call of individuals who want to become who they always knew they could be.
