ANNUAL REPORT FY 2024/2025
OUR MISSION
We help promising young people take charge of their lives and reach their greatest potential through college scholarships, mentorship, networking, and leadership training. The young people who go through our programs, in turn, inspire those around them — in their families, their neighborhoods, and their schools — to take charge of their futures.
OUR CORE VALUES
Authenticity
Impact
Growth
Collaboration
Empowerment
Scrappiness
Dear Take Charge Family,
One year ago, we set an audacious goal: to impact a million lives through our work at Take Charge. Because of you, every donor, mentor, karaoke night ringer, and tireless advocate, we know we’re on the path. And we’re not slowing down.
THE SCOREBOARD
Five new Scholars joined the roster, bringing our total to 66 trailblazers. 100% of Scholars are low income with many being first-generation college students. We invested $456,000 in scholarships, programming, and wrap-around support this season, pushing our lifetime total past $4 million. One Scholar-led initiative launched this year. Proof that empowered students don’t just take charge, they will pay it forward through the newly formed Alumni Council.
TEN YEARS IN, OUR SCHOLARS ARE CHANGING THE WORLD
Ten years ago, thirteen Scholars gathered at Bruin Lake for the first Take Charge Retreat, not knowing exactly what to expect, only that something important was beginning. This summer, that “something” grew into our very first Scholars Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina. Now, our alumni are not just college graduates. They are doctors, environmental advocates, and corporate leaders. Chelsey just became our first MD. Lauren Tarr is fighting to preserve our planet. Antonio is climbing the ranks at Microsoft. And across the country, our young people are showing the world what real impact looks like: quiet leadership, bold choices, and the courage to lift others as they rise. What began as a scholarship has become a movement, rooted in love and reaching for a million lives. The ripple is real. And it’s only getting stronger.
TEAMMATES WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE
Legacy Partners like KPMG, The Heckscher Foundation, the Miami HEAT Family Foundation, John & Lisa Chidsey, Daryl & Ellen Morey, and Connie Frankino kept the engine humming with multi-year commitments. New MVPs like The Skillman Foundation and The Bickerstaff Family jumped in this year, supporting our first Guide program cohort in Detroit. To early believers like Lynda and Chris Royer, still in our corner a decade later, you are living proof that unwavering belief and steady support win, every time.
LOOKING DOWN-COURT
Next season, our focus sharpens in two key areas: First-Time Retreat Experience – In April, we’ll welcome a new class of Scholars to their very first retreat. It’s a chance to build lifelong bonds and reignite the spirit that started at Bruin Lake. Charlotte Footprint Expansion – We’re exploring new partnerships in the Charlotte area to strengthen our presence and reach even more future leaders. None of this is possible without your trust. So, if you ever wonder whether your gift, time, or voice makes a difference, remember Chelsey, Lauren and Antonio, remember the numbers above, and remember this simple truth: teams win championships, communities change the world.
From the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of Heidi, our BTCF team, and every Scholar past, present, and future, thank you for taking charge with us.
Do Well. Do Good, HEIDI & SHANE BATTIER
Our Team
Executive Director Charlotte, NC
Program & Operations Manager Miami, FL
Administrative Assistant Miami, FL
Director of Programs Camden, NJ
Program Manager Camden, NJ
Director of Finance & Operations Charlotte, NC
Program Manager Detroit, MI
HANNAH HAYS
LESLIE MEJIA
REBECCA GEIGEL
WYMAN STEWART II
RAQQYA ADSIDE-WEST
NEWELL FLEMING
JADE JUZSWIK
A Message from Our Director
As we reflect on another year of progress and transformation, we are reminded of why our work at the Battier Take Charge Foundation is more important than ever. Our mission to empower high school and college students across multiple cities continues to drive us, and with each new milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to building a brighter future for the next generation of leaders.
This year, we have seen tremendous growth in our programs. One of the most exciting developments has been the launch of Guide Detroit, a program that brings our proven success in other cities to the heart of Detroit. This initiative has already begun making a positive impact, thanks to the leadership of Wyman Stewart II, who joined our team in Detroit. Wyman’s experience and dedication are invaluable as we work to extend our reach and support more students in the Motor City.
In Camden, NJ, we’ve made significant strides with the hiring of Jade Juzswik as Program Manager for Guide Camden. Jade, who began as a mentor in Guide Camden, has brought incredible passion and a deep understanding of our mission to her new role. Her journey from mentor to Program Manager is a testament to her dedication and the growth opportunities we strive to provide within our organization.
I’m also proud to announce that Rebecca Geigel, our new Director of Finance and Operations, has brought transformative changes to Take Charge. Rebecca’s expertise in financial management, budgeting, and operations has been pivotal in refining our processes and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our organization. Her leadership is already having a profound effect on our ability to grow strategically and execute our mission with precision.
This year, we have strengthened our foundation while expanding our reach. We hosted our inaugural Scholars Summit, uniting students, alumni and supporters to celebrate program successes and build lasting connections. We also launched our first Alumni Council with four dedicated Scholar Alumni committed to bringing together Scholar and Guide students in their cities, creating new fundraising opportunities for Take Charge, and ensuring our retreats and summits are memorable and impactful for all who attend.
Thank you for your unwavering support. Together, we will continue to empower students and create lasting change in the communities we serve.
NEWELL FLEMING
Executive Director of The Battier Take Charge Foundation
Taking Charge, Making Change
GUIDE MIAMI GUIDE CAMDEN
Guide Miami built a strong foundation with our Class of 2027 as they prepared for success in high school, college, and beyond. Through workshops and mentoring, students set goals, wrote letters to their future selves, and began early preparation for the SAT and ACT with the support of James Education. They also explored financial literacy with The Investor’s Table, learning about budgeting, saving, and credit while hearing from young professionals about real-world experiences. Field trips extended their learning and broadened horizons, from visiting the Mad Arts Museum and Miami-Dade Children’s Courthouse to attending Shane’s first TEDx Talk. As they move into junior year, these students are ready to step into leadership roles, refine their goals, and begin the college application journey with confidence.
GUIDE DETROIT
In 2025, the Battier Take Charge Foundation strengthened its presence in Camden by expanding our work with Camden Academy Charter High School and welcoming our first class of sophomores into the Take Charge family. Students set their sights on ambitious futures, from Barnard College in New York to the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, while also gaining valuable experiences through programs with Campbell’s, Comcast, the Philadelphia Theatre Company, and the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey. Our graduating Class of 2025 achieved 100 percent college enrollment, with students heading to Howard, Rowan, Stockton, Rider, and Kean, many attending at little to no cost thanks to scholarships and foundation support. The achievements of our Camden students continue to inspire us and reinforce our commitment to providing the guidance and resources that help them take charge of their futures.
In 2025 the Battier Take Charge Foundation proudly launched Guide Detroit at University Prep Science & Math High School, expanding our mission to prepare students for college, career, and life. The program’s debut was celebrated at the inaugural Battier Homecoming, where more than 20 local companies and 50 community leaders came together to champion mentorship in Detroit. We also welcomed Wyman Stewart II, Program Manager of Detroit, whose leadership and local ties are helping shape the program’s early impact.
BATTIER SCHOLARS
Five New Scholars joined our roster this year, marking significant growth across our broader foundation and bringing our total to 66 trailblazers—100% of whom are low-income and many the first in their families to attend college. With an investment of $456,000 in scholarships, programming, and support, we pushed our lifetime total past $4 million. We also proudly launched the Take Charge Alumni Council, empowering graduates to pay it forward and lead initiatives that uplift their communities.
CABERNET WITH BATTIER
In February, Heidi and Shane Battier hosted Cabernet with Battier at Byblos Miami, raising more than $290,000 for scholarships and educational opportunities. With the generous backing of sponsors like KPMG, Miami Heat Charitable Fund, Connie Frankino, and Lorron James Foundation, this event highlighted the power of partnership and the impact of education to transform lives.
CHARLOTTE EXPANSION
This year brought an exciting new chapter as Heidi and Shane Battier moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. With this transition, the Foundation is exploring new partnerships across the city to strengthen our presence and reach even more future leaders. We look forward to building connections in Charlotte that will expand our impact and continue the ripple effect of education and mentorship.
SERVING UP EMPOWERMENT WITH THE PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
In 2024 we partnered with Daryl and Ellen Morey of the Philadelphia 76ers to host the first annual Serving Up Empowerment Ping Pong Fundraiser in Philadelphia. The event brought together 76ers VIPs, fans, and our Guide Camden students for an evening of table tennis tournaments, exhibitions, and a spirited live auction. Beyond the fun and competition, the night highlighted the power of community and raised vital support for the Battier Take Charge Foundation’s mission to expand educational opportunities for underserved youth.
Guide Miami
This has been a meaningful year for Guide Miami. Our Class of 2027 spent their sophomore year building the foundations they will need for success in high school, college, and beyond. Through monthly workshops and biweekly meetings, students practiced setting SMART goals, wrote letters to their future selves, and learned the basics of higher education. They also began preparing early for the SAT and ACT with the help of our longtime partner, James Education. These sessions gave students the chance to dream big while also learning practical strategies to stay focused and motivated.
We also introduced financial literacy earlier than ever before. In partnership with The Investor’s Table, students learned about budgeting, saving, compound interest, and credit. For many, this was their first time exploring these ideas. They also heard from young professionals who shared how financial knowledge had shaped their own lives. Each workshop left students more confident about making thoughtful financial choices in the future.
Learning extended beyond the classroom through field trips that combined fun, career exposure, and community building. Students visited the Mad Arts Museum to see how art and technology intersect, worked together to solve puzzles at an escape room, and attended Shane’s first TEDx Talk. One highlight was a visit to the Miami-Dade Children’s Courthouse, where Judge Orlando A. Prescott invited students into his courtroom. They observed live sessions and asked questions about public law careers, gaining new insight into the justice system.
As the Class of 2027 enters junior year, they are ready to take on more leadership, refine their college and career goals, and begin their applications. Sophomore year provided the groundwork, and now it is time to build on it. We are proud of their growth and look forward to what comes next.
Guide Camden
The Battier Take Charge Foundation has fully established its presence in Camden. Over the past year we expanded our work with Camden Academy Charter High School and deepened our partnerships across the city. In our third year we welcomed our first class of sophomores into the Take Charge family, partnered with leading companies and organizations, and celebrated another group of graduates heading to college.
Our new sophomores are already looking ahead. One student has her sights set on Barnard College in New York, another dreams of attending the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, and many are exploring their options with excitement. One standout student earned scholarships to two competitive WHYY Philadelphia summer programs. With our support covering her travel expenses, she was able to fully participate and gain valuable experience in public media.
This year we also focused on showing students that success can be found close to home. Through programs with The Campbell’s Company, Comcast Corporation, the Philadelphia Theatre Company, and the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey, students saw firsthand that opportunities exist in their own communities. These partnerships helped them understand that they do not have to leave Camden to pursue meaningful careers.
Our graduating Class of 2025 lived up to the “We Go to College” Award we received from Camden’s Promise Charter Network. Every senior enrolled in post-secondary education. One student was the only member of her graduating class admitted to Howard University, where her tuition, housing, and fees are fully covered. Others are attending Rowan, Stockton, Rider, and Kean Universities, pursuing majors ranging from nursing to dance. With the help of scholarships, financial aid, and foundation support, most of our students are attending college at little to no cost.
As we look to the future, we are inspired by the drive and resilience of our Camden students. Their achievements remind us why we remain committed to providing the guidance and resources that help them take charge of their futures.
Guide Detroit
In 2025, the Battier Take Charge Foundation proudly launched Guide Detroit at University Prep Science & Math High School, marking a new chapter in our mission to prepare students for college, career, and life. Our first year was anchored by strong partnerships and community support. At the inaugural Battier Homecoming, more than 20 local companies and 50 community leaders came together to celebrate the launch and discuss the future of mentorship in Detroit. A fireside chat with Shane Battier, longtime board member Lorron James, and Andrew Stein of the Children’s Foundation highlighted why investing in students is also an investment in the city’s future.
The year also marked a milestone as we welcomed our first two University Prep Science and Math Battier Scholars. Kaitlyn and Naudia, each awarded a $32,000 scholarship, are now pursuing their degrees at Grand Canyon University in Arizona. Their success represents the kind of opportunities and outcomes Guide Detroit is designed to create.
Our very first student event set the tone for the program. Mentors from a wide range of fields—including health, technology, finance, psychology, social work, and data science—joined students and families for food, games, and conversation. The evening was made even more memorable by the presence of Detroit Pistons Head Coach JB Bickerstaff, who added his support to the launch of these important relationships.
Guide Detroit’s curriculum is designed to combine self-discovery, college preparation, and professional readiness in a structured and engaging way. In the first semester, students focus on the question “Who am I?” through reflection, assessments, vision boards, and journaling. They also explore college pathways, research schools, draft essays, and build resumes with the help of guest speakers such as admissions counselors and recent graduates. In the second semester, the emphasis shifts to practical preparation. Students research financial aid, write scholarship essays, participate in mock interviews, create digital portfolios, and meet local professionals through career roundtables.
Throughout the year, students track their growth with personal journals and digital portfolios. Consistent participation and completed assignments earn points toward incentives, culminating in a College and Career Success Kit for seniors. Each kit includes financial aid guides, professional tools, and letters of encouragement from mentors. Looking ahead, Guide Detroit has already shown what is possible when young people are given the tools, mentorship, and belief they deserve. With the success of our launch year, we are ready to deepen partnerships, expand programming, and ensure that Detroit students not only access higher education but thrive in it.
Scholars
With an investment of $456,000 in scholarships, programming, and support, we pushed our lifetime total past $4 million. We also proudly launched the Take Charge Alumni Council, empowering graduates to pay it forward and lead initiatives that uplift their communities.
Scholars Alumni Summit 2025
The first-ever BTCF Alumni Summit was held in Charlotte and brought together graduates from across the years for a weekend of energy, reflection, and connection. Alumni gathered to reconnect with the Foundation’s mission and with each other while exploring how their individual journeys contribute to BTCF’s vision of impacting one million lives.
Over the course of the gathering, participants focused on three themes: knowing themselves as leaders, celebrating the ripple effect of their impact, and envisioning the future of the alumni network. Through interactive sessions, storytelling, and shared reflection, alumni identified their strengths, practiced communicating their impact, and discovered how their voices and experiences could strengthen BTCF’s broader mission. As one alum shared,
“THE SUMMIT INSPIRED ME BY SHOWING THAT IMPACT CAN TAKE MANY FORMS. IT GAVE ME CONFIDENCE TO USE MY VOICE AS A LEADER.”
The Summit also served as a launchpad for the Alumni Council, a new structure designed to channel alumni energy into a self-sustaining model of mentorship, leadership, and collaboration. One participant reflected,
“ATTENDING THE SUMMIT MADE ME FEEL MORE CONNECTED AND MORE INSPIRED TO CONTRIBUTE. BEING PART OF THE ALUMNI COMMUNITY FEELS LESS LIKE A NETWORK OF INDIVIDUALS AND MORE LIKE A TEAM WITH A MISSION.”
The weekend closed with alumni naming the ripple effects of their work and committing to carry forward what they had learned into their communities. As one alum put it,
“EVEN IMPACTING ONE PERSON MEANS THE WORLD TO THAT PERSON. THAT’S THE MINDSET I’M TAKING WITH ME.”
What made the Summit powerful was not just the content but the spirit of participation. Alumni didn’t simply attend sessions; they shaped them, co-created the experience, and left with a renewed sense of ownership. The gathering embodied BTCF’s core values in action and reminded everyone that leadership is not about one person, but about a community moving forward together.
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO OUR INCREDIBLE PARTNERS AT KPMG
THRIVE for being such a meaningful part of the Scholars Alumni Summit. They did more than just attend. They showed up with intention, warmth, and wisdom. From connecting with our alumni to sharing personal insights and encouragement, their presence left a lasting impact. Their generous contribution helps power our mission to empower the next generation of leaders—creating more access, more opportunity, and more support for Scholars committed to purpose-driven change. We’re truly grateful for KPMG’s partnership and for believing in the power of people, community, and collective growth.
ALUMNI COUNCIL- NAMES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Heidi Battier, Newell Fleming, Antonio Menarde (Treasurer), Lauren Tarr (Secretary), Shane Battier, Julio Burgos (Chair), Malik Gibbs- Ochoa (Staff Liaison)
COMMUNITY “ Lauren Tarr
I feel more motivated and empowered to give back to the BTCF community - inspired to deepen the relationships across alumni, as well as find ways to support the Guide Students and the younger scholars.
The summit inspired me by showing me that impact can take many forms. I’ve been motivated to engage more intentionally within my community, career, and the alumni network.
Writing our impact stories. I usually bottle up whatever I have going on and never give time to fully process it, so being made to sit down and do it made a big impact on me.
“
Alyssia Adams
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Ifechukwu Obeta
HOMETOWN: Detroit, Michigan
UNIVERSITY: Columbia University
MAJOR: Chemical Engineering
GRADUATION YEAR: Spring 2027
INVOLVEMENT: Black Student Organization, National Society for Black Engineers, Science and Engineers for a Better Society
DANCING, ENGINEERING, AND BREAKING BARRIERS:
Meet Courtney Wright
When you meet Courtney Wright, her energy is contagious. A proud Detroiter, Chemical Engineering major at Columbia University, and the creative force behind Columbia’s hip-hop dance team Onyx, Courtney is the definition of a multidimensional scholar. Between labs, leadership roles, and late-night rehearsals, she is making her mark in New York City, and she says the Battier Scholarship has been at the heart of her journey.
“ “ “
Beyond academics, what has Battier Take Charge meant for you?
“It’s the sense of community. Being part of a group of peers who are navigating similar challenges has been such a support system. We cheer each other on, and that encouragement keeps me going.”
Knowing I had the Battier Scholarship was a huge factor in my decision to attend Columbia
Q: Let’s start with the basics. Who is Courtney Wright at Columbia?
Courtney: I’m majoring in Chemical Engineering and will graduate in 2027. I’m part of the Black Student Organization, the National Society for Black Engineers, and Science and Engineers for a Better Society. And outside of STEM, I serve as Artistic Director and Lead Choreographer for Onyx, Columbia’s hip-hop dance team. Dance has been a lifelong passion, and it keeps me balanced.
Q: How has the Battier Scholarship shaped your college experience?
Courtney: Honestly, it made Columbia possible for me. The scholarship helped offset out-of-state living expenses and covered tuition gaps, but it has gone way beyond that. It has supported my transportation, books, tutoring, and trips to conventions like the National Society for Black Engineers. It even allowed me to stay in New York over the summer so I could work in a research lab. “The financial support is incredible, but the community might be just as important.”
Q: Tell us about your first lab research experience.
Courtney: This past summer I worked as a research lab assistant at Columbia’s Cellular Engineering Lab. I got hands-on exposure to handling and treating red blood cells in both sterile and non-sterile conditions. It was my first real lab job, and it showed me what a future in research could look like. It definitely fueled my excitement for science.
WITH HER EYES SET FIRMLY ON THE FUTURE, WHETHER IN THE LAB OR ON THE STAGE, COURTNEY IS PROOF OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE WHEN TALENT, PASSION, AND OPPORTUNITY COLLIDE. “THE BATTIER SCHOLARSHIP HAS OPENED DOORS FOR ME, AND I’M EXCITED TO WALK THROUGH THEM.”
Meet Antonio Menarde
When Antonio graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2019 with dual degrees in Engineering and Economics through the prestigious Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology, he knew he wanted to make an impact in STEM. Today, as a Senior Software Engineer at Microsoft, he is tackling some of the biggest challenges in cloud computing and cybersecurity, all while staying connected to the Battier Take Charge Foundation community that helped shape his journey.
Q: Tell us about your role at Microsoft.
Antonio: I work on a fundamental distributed platform in Microsoft’s cloud, Azure. We power some of the world’s biggest compute workloads, from AI inferencing to databases to the routing of mail packages. My focus is on identity and cybersecurity for the platform.
Q: How did you know STEM was the right path for you?
Antonio: There was never a question. Math was always my favorite class, and I loved science competitions in middle and high school. In college I realized that software engineering had the most potential for impact and was where the cutting edge of industry was happening. As the world moves increasingly online and the scale of services grows, there are always new problems to solve. That constant challenge is what excites me.
Q: Looking back, how did Penn and scholarship support shape your journey?
Antonio: My time at Penn shaped everything — the M&T Program, my friends, entrepreneurship groups, and the opportunities I had all came from that experience. Penn is an expensive private school, and scholarship support was the only way I was able to attend. It gave me the flexibility to choose the best-fit school for me, not just the one with the best aid package. Beyond tuition, scholarships even helped me buy a computer for college, which I still use 10 years later.
Scholarship support was the only way I was able to attend Penn. From there, the rest is history
You’re now serving on the Alumni Council. Why was that important to you? “ “ “
Q: What has BTCF meant to you since graduation?
Antonio:The community has been incredible. The retreats give me time for reflection, to evaluate progress, and to share and learn from other scholars. Once you leave college, you’re thrown into the world without much support. BTCF fills that gap. The guidance often focuses less on the practical and more on the philosophical — how to build good teams, be good people, nurture relationships, and get the best from ourselves. Those lessons carry into the workplace and beyond. “BTCF doesn’t just support you in college, it stays with you as you navigate life after graduation.”
“Community isn’t free, but it is powerful. I’m a product of organizations that supported me, and I want to do the same for others. That’s why I joined the inaugural board of the BTCF Alumni Council as Treasurer. This year we’re focused on building ways to support our fellow alumni and strengthen the community that already makes BTCF so special.”
ALMA MATER: University of Pennsylvania (Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology)
DEGREES: BS in Systems Engineering, BS in Economics
GRADUATION YEAR: 2019
BTCF INVOLVEMENT: Treasurer, Alumni Council
The Battier Scholars Program selects outstanding future leaders from Miami, Camden and Detroit, and gives them the opportunity to improve and impact their destiny through the power of a college education.
Each Scholar now receives a $32,000 scholarship — $8,000 each year for four years — along with access to significant resources and benefits. While the financial scholarship serves as the entry point for our program, the true investment in Battier Scholars is much deeper: the creation of unique experiences, the presentation of leadership and development opportunities, the allocation of academic grants, and the formation of life-changing relationships.
Through the Battier Scholars Program, Take Charge provides a comprehensive, hands-on, and unparalleled level of resources and support for these aspiring leaders throughout their college journey and beyond.
95% OF BATTIER SCHOLARS GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE WITHIN 4 YEARS
OVER 1.5 M AWARDED IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO DATE
66 SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO DATE
Battier Scholars Have Attended the Following Prestigious Colleges and Universities Across the Country:
Financials
This year’s financials reflect the generosity of our donors and the trust placed in our mission to expand access to higher education. Every contribution directly supports scholarships that open doors for students to pursue their college dreams. We are committed to transparency and careful stewardship of resources, ensuring that the majority of funds raised go directly toward scholarships and student support.
Behind the Impact
At the Battier Take Charge Foundation, we believe that responsible stewardship fuels sustainable impact. Our financial snapshot reflects not only the resources invested directly in our students and programs, but also in the dedicated team that makes this mission possible. By managing every dollar with integrity and purpose, we ensure that each investment strengthens our capacity to help young people take charge of their futures.
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS: 46%
REVENUE $1,754,798 EXPENSES $1,679,722
EVENTS: 17%
COMMUNITY & FAMILY FOUNDATIONS: 2% GRANTS: 35%
GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE: 24%
PROGRAMS: 63%
FUNDRAISING: 13%
GUIDE PROGRAMMING: 27%
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING DISTRIBUTED: 63% GRANTS AWARDED: 24%
PROGRAM RESOURCES & OPERATIONS: 9%
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING DISTRIBUTED: 94% ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT & SUMMIT FACILITATION: 68% SCHOLAR ENRICHMENT: 3% RESOURCES & OPERATIONS: 8% RESOURCES & OPERATIONS: 3%
Events
Throughout the year, our events brought together students, families, donors, and community partners to celebrate achievement and expand opportunities. Each gathering was a chance to share stories, build connections, and strengthen our commitment to education. These events not only raised critical support for scholarships but also created meaningful moments that highlight the power of the BTCF community.
AN EVENING OF IMPACT
Cabernet With Battier
In February, Heidi and Shane Battier welcomed guests to Byblos Miami for the fifth annual Cabernet with Battier, a signature fundraising event benefiting the Battier Take Charge Foundation. The evening brought together some of South Florida’s finest supporters and raised more than $250,000 to fund scholarships and educational opportunities for underprivileged youth in Miami, Camden, and Detroit. The night began with an exclusive wine tasting featuring eight distinguished Napa Valley vineyards, followed by a decadent multi-course dinner paired with Byblos favorites. Guests also took part in a spirited live auction, bidding on unique items such as luxury travel experiences, private tastings, Miami Heat tickets, and even a Duke home game with Shane himself. After dinner, the celebration continued in Byblos’ private lounge with a lively karaoke-themed afterparty, complete with a live band and memorable performances by both Heidi and Shane. REFLECTING ON THE EVENT, SHANE SHARED:
Heidi and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the success of this year’s Cabernet with Battier. Thanks to the generosity of everyone here tonight, we’ve been able to award over $3.5 million in college scholarships since 2008. With the momentum we’re building, we expect to award another $800,000 by the end of 2025 to deserving young students across the country. Our goal has always been to give these students the tools they need to chase their dreams and inspire the next generation.
Cabernet with Battier was made possible through the support of our sponsors, including KPMG, Miami Heat Charitable Fund, Kid Sanctuary Campus, and the John A. James Foundation, along with the many loyal friends who make this evening of impact possible year after year.
CAMDEN PING PONG EVENT
Serving Up Empowerment
This year we hosted our first Guide Camden fundraiser in Philadelphia! Serving Up Empowerment was an incredible night of competition and fun all for a good cause. At PingPod Philadelphia Daryl Morey ran a table tennis tournament for some of Take Charge’s most dedicated supporters, 76ers, and Guide Camden students. Everyone ate their fill thanks to our sponsors at P.J. Whelihan’s and enjoyed drinks courtesy of our friends at Stateside Vodka. The event brought in new donors and even sparked partnerships with exciting supporters like Major League Table Tennis and Comcast.
Hear It From Our Battier Family
“ Michelle S.
This Foundation has taught me how to communicate, build relationships, and trust in myself as a leader.
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Zayne G.
BTCF is most definitely the only reason I stayed motivated in school and pushed through the challenges.
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Aelyn A.
Battier Take Charge has taught me that with enough effort and support, I can achieve things I once thought impossible.
“ Genesis A.
BTCF means having an opportunity to grow academically and personally while being surrounded by people who believe in me.
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Aishat O.
Take Charge is an opportunity to become a well-rounded person who can succeed in every aspect of life.
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Jade J.
I started the school year as a mentor and ended it feeling like family — that’s the power of this community.
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Yuval L.
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Destiny O.
Take Charge has helped me become a better person in every way — not just in school, but in how I treat others.
When I moved to Miami from Spain, I didn’t know anyone. Take Charge gave me a community, a purpose, and a place to belong.
“ Le’oni M.
Take Charge has shown me that growth starts when you believe in yourself and the people around you believe in you too.
“ Vivian P.
Take Charge has helped foster my love for medicine and science, and given me confidence to pursue my career path.
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Kimberly C.
Take Charge to me means more than just a scholarship — it’s a family that pushes me to grow into my best self.
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Jaslyn O.
Take Charge is an organization that allows people like me to reach heights we never thought possible.
Board Members
SHANE BATTIER
ELLEN MOREY
LORRON JAMES
HEIDI BATTIER
MAURICE MCDANIEL
BECKY MCCARRON
THANK YOU
For your interest and support of the Battier Take Charge Foundation
We invite you to learn more about ways to volunteer, give, and advance our mission of providing resources for the development and education of underserved youth and teens. Do Well. Do Good.
