Hajo Jaafaru exemplifies the heart of the Black Men Teach mission through their commitment to empowering educators, students, and uplifting the community. Their work reflects the values of integrity, representation, and purpose that define who we are and what we stand for.
Hajaratu Jaafaru, who goes by Hajo (Ha-Joe), is a thoughtful event coordinator and creative professional rooted in care, clarity, and celebration. With over three years of experience in event management, administrative support, and customer service, she brings a purposeful and goal-oriented approach to every project she touches.
Her love for planning began early, before she knew it was a gift—watching her mom and aunties organize church events with food, decor, and deep hospitality. Whether helping out at church or hosting small gatherings for loved ones, Hajo naturally followed the path of leadership, connection, and support.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Augsburg University and was part of the inaugural class of Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas. Her studies give her a systems-based lens for understanding people and institutions. She draws on the concept of the social imagination—the ability to connect personal experiences to broader social forces—to design events that are both personal and socially aware.
Hajo is a self-starter and go-getter. She co-founded Kreyatif Noir, leading three major Black creative events, and served as Creative Director at Synergia Gallery, where she developed a 10-month project exploring nature, emotion, and perception through art. She now brings this same vision and care to her work at Black Men Teach, supporting mission-driven programming with intention, heart, and attention to detail.
I support the team by managing event logistics and leveling up the standards of our events.
I think it's important for young children, specifically black children, to see teachers that look like them and especially male. I've never had a black teacher let alone black and male. I feel like that would have done some great healing and boosted my self-esteem growing up. Black Men Teach is doing something revolutionary and BIG! I always want to be a part of work or projects that bring more good into the world, and bring more people closer together.
Really understand your why, and how it fits into your personal goals and you personal values as a person, as a human being, in whatever you do!
I love bringing people together and creating a successful event that is fun, intentional and allows people to be themselves especially for BIPOC folks. It feels like a gift to me. And I'm grateful to be using it with BMT. As for who I am, I'm not perfect. Even when I want to be sometimes, I will always do my best to show myself authentically, I'm deep thinking, and ask a lot of questions. lol, I love to ponder about the unanswered questions of the world. I love to watch movies and period tv shows. I'm super family oriented coming from two immigrant parents! Show out to all my first generation Americans!
I love bringing people together and creating a successful event that is fun, intentional and allows people to be themselves especially for BIPOC folks. It feels like a gift to me. And I'm grateful to be using it with BMT. As for who I am, I'm not perfect. Even when I want to be sometimes, I will always do my best to show myself authentically, I'm deep thinking, and ask a lot of questions. lol, I love to ponder about the unanswered questions of the world. I love to watch movies and period tv shows. I'm super family oriented coming from two immigrant parents! Show out to all my first generation Americans!
I support the team by managing event logistics and leveling up the standards of our events.
I think it's important for young children, specifically black children, to see teachers that look like them and especially male. I've never had a black teacher let alone black and male. I feel like that would have done some great healing and boosted my self-esteem growing up. Black Men Teach is doing something revolutionary and BIG! I always want to be a part of work or projects that bring more good into the world, and bring more people closer together.
Really understand your why, and how it fits into your personal goals and you personal values as a person, as a human being, in whatever you do!
Ms. Phillips. She was my first Black women teacher in middle school. And also my avid mentor in 8th grade. I will never forget when I was walking in the hallway with my head down. She said " Hajo why is your head down? When you walk, always walk with your head held high so you know where you're going" That stuck with me to this day. I felt seen by her and I felt like I could be myself. She also introduced me to Toni Braxton!
I love bringing people together and creating a successful event that is fun, intentional and allows people to be themselves especially for BIPOC folks. It feels like a gift to me. And I'm grateful to be using it with BMT. As for who I am, I'm not perfect. Even when I want to be sometimes, I will always do my best to show myself authentically, I'm deep thinking, and ask a lot of questions. lol, I love to ponder about the unanswered questions of the world. I love to watch movies and period tv shows. I'm super family oriented coming from two immigrant parents! Show out to all my first generation Americans!
Black Men Teach
370 Wabasha St. North, Suite 660
St. Paul, MN 55102
Hajaratu Jaafaru, who goes by Hajo (Ha-Joe), is a thoughtful event coordinator and creative professional rooted in care, clarity, and celebration. With over three years of experience in event management, administrative support, and customer service, she brings a purposeful and goal-oriented approach to every project she touches.
Her love for planning began early, before she knew it was a gift—watching her mom and aunties organize church events with food, decor, and deep hospitality. Whether helping out at church or hosting small gatherings for loved ones, Hajo naturally followed the path of leadership, connection, and support.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Augsburg University and was part of the inaugural class of Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas. Her studies give her a systems-based lens for understanding people and institutions. She draws on the concept of the social imagination—the ability to connect personal experiences to broader social forces—to design events that are both personal and socially aware.
Hajo is a self-starter and go-getter. She co-founded Kreyatif Noir, leading three major Black creative events, and served as Creative Director at Synergia Gallery, where she developed a 10-month project exploring nature, emotion, and perception through art. She now brings this same vision and care to her work at Black Men Teach, supporting mission-driven programming with intention, heart, and attention to detail.
