Phase One of ALI development concentrated largely on conceptualization of the ALI program model; as well as a variety of conscious-raising activities with community and institutional stakeholders aimed at promoting the merits of the ALI initiative.

Partial listing of Phase One activities:

• Consultations with Africentric Scholars: Dr. Molefi Asante Temple University Philadelphia; and Dr. Georege Dei University of Toronto

• Program development consultation: Dr. Jo-ann Archibald; Director of the House of Learning, University of British Columbia; Dr. Vincent D’Oyley, Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia; Ms. Cherreka Montgomery, Program Manager, Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute, Fairfax, Virginia; and Dr. Stan Shapson, Associate Vice-President (Strategic Academic Initiatives), York University. These meetings focused on various aspects of learning institutes, such as: research, governance, funding, as well as resources required to establish and sustain an institute.

• Institutional development consultations with Patterson Research Institute of the United Negro College Fund.

• Establishment of Proposal Development Committee. Held consultations and working sessions to develop a framework document to guide the ALI proposal development process.

• Strategic partnership development luncheon to unveil the ALI model to strategic stakeholders (community, government, corporate partners)

• Several roundtable events on institutional structure and legal status of the ALI