Imhotep
Center of Education (ICE) has built its program around the
concept currently known as African-Centered" education.
Our holistic approach is based upon the premise that children
will only excel academically and intellectually when the
curriculum, teaching methodology, and environment reflects
the builders of yesterday and the ideas of the future. Our
belief in universal knowledge provides each student with
the skills to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
SCHOOL PLEDGE
The Nguzo Saba (the seven principles) was created to
introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African
culture which contribute to building and reinforcing family,
community and culture among African American people as
well as Africans throughout the world African community.
These values are called the Nguzo Saba which in Swahili
means that Seven Principles. Developed by Dr. Karenga,
the Nguzo Saba stand at the hear of the origin and meaning
of Kwanzaa, for it is these values which are not only
the building blocks for community but also serve to reinforce
and enhance them.
As a community of learners ICE has adopted these principles
as one of our character building blocks and daily school
pledge. Each student enrolled must learn this pledge.
THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES (OUR DAILY DEVOTION)
We the students of Imhotep Center of Education, believe
that the seven principles will teach us the values of
life:
UMOJA (oo-MO-jah)
Unity – to strive for and maintain unity in the
family, community, nation and race.
KUJICHAGULIA (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah)
Self-determination – to define ourselves, name
ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.
UJIMA (oo-JEE-mah)
Collective work and responsibility – to build and
maintain our community together and make our sisters and
brothers’ problems our own and solve them together.
UJAMMA (oo-jah-MAH)
Cooperative economics – to build and maintain our
own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from
them together.
NIA (NEE-ah)
Purpose – to make our collective vocation to building
of our community to restore our people to their traditional
greatness.
KUUMBA (koo-OOM-bah)
Creativity – to do as much as we can to leave our
community more beautiful and beneficial that we inherited
it.
IMANI (ee-MAH-nee)
Faith – to believe with our heart in our people,
our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness
and victory of our struggle.
WHO IS IMHOTEP?
Imhotep was chief architect to the Third Dynasty King
Djoser (2687 - 2668 BC). He is the first master architect
we know by name, and was in charge of building the original
step pyramid at Saqqara. This pyramid also set a precedent
by including a collection of temples, pavillions, corridors,
chapels and halls within the enclosure walls.
A commoner by birth, Imhotep's intelligence and determination
enabled him to rise through the ranks to become one of
the king's most trusted advisors. He eventually held the
offices of High Priest of Heliopolis and Lector Priest,
making him a very powerful and influential man whose name
is given the great honor of being inscribed on the base
of one of the statues of King Djoser.
Imhotep's influence lived on well after his death. In
the New Kngdom he was venerated as the patron of scribes,
personifying wisdom and education. In the 'Turin Papyri'
from this period he is also described as the son of Ptah,
chief god of Memphis, in recognition of his role as a
wise councillor.
Source: BBC History Online