Welcome to Age of Awareness

Age of Awareness, Inc. (AOA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation established to assist African and African American children. This outreach program is designed to educate students about their ancestral history and to guide them academically and professionally. Our main goal is to foster African American leadership and mentors through culture and education. We recognize the value of individual differences and strive for a society that is diverse, highly educated, well rounded, responsible and dedicated. We encourage the exchange of knowledge between African American and African students. Students will become familiar with various cultures and lifestyles. Our organization is assisting the children, schools and orphans on the continent of Africa.

In addition, we also assist African American children who are using or will be using prosthetics and orthotics. We are dedicated to promoting professionalism and advancing the standards of the receipients through education, literature, research, advocacy and collaboration. We donate our efforts in the name of "The Friends of Gurnest Brown". Gurnest played football for the University of Maryland from 1979 to1983, proudly bearing the number "78". He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 9th round, played for the San Diego Chargers and then the USFL Washington Federals. After his long and rare illness, Gurnest lost both of his legs and eventually died on November 17, 1997. This fund will assist in the rehabilitation of young African American children who are amputees. Most of these children are lacking in the resources to adequately rehabilitate themselves to be self-sufficient. The fund will help sponsor these children in clinics where they will learn stretching and strengthening exercises to enable them to participate in recreational or competitive activities. They will also learn basic fitness skills to enhance their quality of life.