The John D. O'Bryant African-American Institute (AAI) is committed to providing programs, resources, services and activities to:

• Assist in the recruitment and retention of students of African origin.
  
  
• Be a nurturing, supportive, welcoming, "home away from home" environment on campus for Diasporic African students.
  
  
• Educate students to explore their culture and history; to engage in open, critical inquiry; and to acquire and use knowledge to make a positive difference as citizens and leaders.
  
  
• Collaborate with university colleges and departments to support any NU students to graduation.
  
  
• Offer programmatic and material resources to strengthen the University's relationship with the broader community and with alumni; and to advance the University's urban mission.
  
  
• Celebrate and share the richness of the Diasporic African cultural heritage, traditions, and customs with those from within and outside of the African Diaspora.
  
  
• Support institutional effors to implement a commitment to diversity and the practice of cultural pluralism.