BEYOND the BOOKS
Nonprofit Entrepreneur
‘Find Your Revolution’ By David Robbins ’14
I
n September, Brunswick’s Upper School student body was honored to welcome Adam Braun ’02, founder and CEO of Pencils of
Promise, to Baker Theater. Pencils of Promise is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to build schools in underdeveloped countries, giving children access to a quality education. Braun began by describing his background — one quite similar to many Brunswick students. He attended Brunswick in ninth grade before transferring to Greenwich High School. Later, at Brown University, he played on the varsity basketball team and graduated magna cum laude. Majoring in economics, Adam
thought his life path would lead him to the world of finance. He took a job at Bain & Company, and it seemed his career was heading in the direction he planned — until he took a trip to India. Walking down the impoverished
Beginning in 2009 with just $20, Pencils of Promise Has already built more than 150 schools around the world.
streets, Braun encountered a young boy, begging. Curious, he decided to
Braun stressed to Brunswick boys
ask the boy what he wanted most in
that they don’t need to follow the path
the world. This child had nothing —
that they think is “normal.” He urged
and Braun was expecting the answer
each member of the student body to
to be clothes, money or maybe
“find your revolution.”
an i-Pad.
“There is a revolution waiting to be
The response: A pencil.
brought forth in each one of us,” he
This changed Braun’s life forever,
said. “With time and purpose, we can all
inspiring him to quit his job to found Pencils of Promise. Beginning in 2009 with just $20, Pencils of Promise has grown to be a globally recognized
truly change the world.” Adam concluded by saying, “Our footprint awaits.” This inspiring story and drive to cre-
organization, building more than 150
ate change left the entire student body
schools around the world and landing
thinking what each one of us could do
Braun on the Forbes “30 under 30” list.
to access our own footprint.
B
Photos by Nick Onken w w w .b . b runs ru n sw w icksch i c ksc h o ool ol . o rg
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