CEA's programs and services strive to target risk factors and conditions that undermine the ability of African Americans to survive and achieve self-sufficiency in American society.  At the community level, some of the most common risk factors are:
 

	Community Apathy
	High Unemployment
	Poverty
	Substance Abuse (Alcohol, Tobacco & other drugs/ATOD)
	Cultural Detachment (Feelings of self-hatred, anger, and disrespect)
	Mis-education and Educational Failure
	Youth Violence (Gangs, crime, code of the streets behavior)
	Family Dysfunction (Poor Parenting)
	Emotional and Mental Illnesses (including PTSS/PTSD)

These are all serious conditions that may affect the resiliency of individuals in high-risk communities to identify and develop empowering protective factors that foster:

	Community Pride
	Meaningful Employment
	Economic Sovereignty
	Drug Free Lifestyles
	Pride in History and Culture
	Liberating Education & Schooling
	Positive Youth Activities
	Positive Parenting (Role Models)
	Healthy Emotional and Mental Functional

To address the aforementioned risk factors and maladaptive behaviors, CEA programming employs creative and culturally specific methodologies to enhance healthy African American functioning and development.