ANNUAL REPORT 2022
THE BATTIER TAKE CHARGE FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION OF UNDERSERVED YOUTH AND TEENS. THE BATTIERS’ CHARGE IS TO ENCOURAGE AND INSPIRE A NEW GENERATION OF POTENTIAL LEADERS THROUGH EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND THE CULTIVATION OF EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
DO WELL. DO GOOD.
As we present the annual report for 2022, we are celebrating both a great academic year and a successful year for the Battier Take Charge Foundation. As we do so, we warmly invite you to share in our many achievements and successes.
One of the significant achievements this year was the acquisition of new office space through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami. The BBBS Miami headquarters, which fosters a culture that favors growth and collaboration, provides not only office space for our personnel, but space for team activities with our scholars, mentors and Foundation family. Come over and say hello if you are in the area!
Battier Take Charge is excited to announce the launch of the Battier North initiative, its first geographic expansion. For this program, we collaborated with Camden Academy Charter High School Academy in Camden, New Jersey, and gained experience in building a full program to support a new student population. By growing our audience, we are committed to encouraging more young people to achieve success and transform the world.
Four Battier Scholars - Ife, Christina, Simon, and Raqqya – received their college degrees with the Class of 2022. Their scholar profiles, which highlight their inspiring experiences and accomplishments, are included in the report. In addition, our GUIDE Program in Miami welcomed five new students from Booker T. Washington High School. We will keep searching relentlessly for talented young people who deserve the chance to shine.
Following her graduation from Florida International University, Raqqya – our first GUIDE graduate who became a Battier Scholar – joined our team as our new GUIDE program manager. Raqqya is strengthening our program and enriching our organization through her dedication to scholar development and exceptional ability to relate to our students.
We would like to focus on a few events that are particularly significant to our foundation as we eagerly await the start of the new school year. Another Cabernet with Battier fundraiser, which funds our initiatives, will take place in February. Without a doubt, the event has turned into the world’s best wine and karaoke event. We would love for you to join us, so keep an eye on out for updates on this exciting event. We also anticipate welcoming all of our Battier scholars back for another Spring Retreat. A hallmark of our Foundation, the collaborative spirit of the Battier Take Charge Foundation shines when we are together. Beyond the confines of their academic campuses, we are dedicated to the holistic growth and development of all of our scholars.
We appreciate you taking the time to read this update on the Battier Take Charge Foundation’s development. We are tremendously appreciative of your faith in our students and our programs. Together, we will continue to have a significant impact on the lives of exceptional young people, empowering them to succeed and create a more optimistic future for themselves, their communities, and the rest of the world.
Cheers!
Shane
In the summer of 2022, BTCF established a true space to call home for our offices and programming. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami generously offered us the opportunity to lease an office suite within their headquarters, along with access to the building’s many amenities. This space has proven to be the perfect venue for the BTCF team to collaborate as a team, with our partners at BBBS, and amongst the other incredible youth-focused organizations who are based in the building. It provides wellequipped conference rooms and group spaces for hosting workshops, seminars, and teambuilding events. Our students love having access to the technology and recreational resources the building provides, and our facilitators are strengthened by having the stability of a designated space for our programming. Since we established the office space, we’ve had the opportunity to improve our program through a steady curriculum of enrichment workshops and activities, and we look forward to continued growth.
This year, Battier Scholar Maurice McDaniel truly exemplified one of the Take Charge Foundation’s biggest tenets–giving back. After receiving his degree in Finance from Florida State University in 2019, Maurice began working as an administrator at Jackson Health System. A year later, he co-founded The Investor’s Table, an organization that aims to transform lives through financial literacy. This year, we had the privilege of partnering with The Investor’s Table to provide financial literacy workshops for our GUIDE students in the ongoing effort to cultivate both their academic and personal development as they approach graduation. Financial literacy isn’t taught in most schools, and we’ve found that many young adults fail to understand the true cost of college, as well as how to be fiscally responsible when they get there. Maurice was once one of those young adults, and he has made it his mission to educate others like him so they can avoid many of the mistakes he and his peers made in their college years. We are very proud of this full-circle moment and look forward to continuing working with The Investor’s Table to enrich the lives of our students.
While Raqqya Adside-West was completing her final year at Florida International University, she found herself with some time to explore career opportunities for post-graduation. With graduate school on the horizon, she wanted to make an informed decision about what path to pursue. As our first dual GUIDE and Battier Scholars Program participant, Raqqya has always naturally ascended to leadership roles within her student cohorts, including with many student organizations at FIU. Realizing her passion for higher education and for helping students make the most of their educational opportunities, she joined our Foundation team in the fall of 2022 to start learning about various aspects of nonprofit management. When the opportunity to manage our GUIDE Program arose, she jumped at the chance. Raqqya now oversees the 21 students currently in GUIDE, and pitches in with other BTCF initiatives and tasks. She’s an invaluable member of our team who knows first-hand what programs like ours can provide, and we look forward to continued growth and development with her as an integral member of our team.
Throughout early 2022, our team did extensive research into the education landscape in Camden, NJ. In partnership with Battier North champions Ellen and Daryl Morey, our goal was to find a high school where we could build a dynamic college access and preparedness program. Once we learned about Camden’s Charter School Network and met the incredible team at Camden Academy Charter High School, we knew we’d found a great match. We worked together to identify the needs of the CACHS student population, developed a well-rounded and interactive curriculum, selected deserving students, recruited mentors, and officially launched Battier North at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. This is the start of what we hope is longlasting partnership.
Before launching our full Battier North college access program, we demonstrated our commitment to Camden’s Charter School Network by awarding college scholarships to graduating seniors in the Class of 2022. We were thrilled to welcome two CACHS graduates into the Battier Scholars Program, both of whom received a $32,000 scholarship, in addition to the support and resources we provide all Scholars. Jada is studying Nursing at Morgan State University in Maryland, and Isabella is a Biology/Premed major at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. We are excited to see what the future holds for them, both in our program and beyond.
Morgan State University Nursing
SIMON
Yale University
BS in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Technology
ISABELLA
Thomas Jefferson University Biology/Premed
RAQQYA
Florida International University
BS in Environmental Studies
CHRISTINA
New World School of the Arts/University of Florida
BFA in Art
IFE
Texas Tech University
BS in Nutritional Science
BATTIER TAKE
CHARGE FOUNDATION:
The Battier Scholars program begins for students graduating high school. What was it like joining this program as you embarked on your college journey?
IFE: I found out I got the scholarship the day I graduated, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was excited to be able to pay for school, but I didn’t know it’d be a program that actually cares about you. I thought it’d be one of those scholarship programs that just give you the money and an academic requirement to maintain, but it’s much more involved, and way more personal. More like family.
BATTIER TAKE
CHARGE FOUNDATION: Your scholarship enabled you to earn a degree in Nutritional Science at Texas Tech University. Tell us about your experience as a Red Raider?
IFE: The first two years were calm, but senior year was when the heat picked up. I had to cut out the distractions and really buckle down with my studies. I graduated in 3 years by taking summer and winter classes, so I never got a break. I also transferred in a lot of AP credits from high school. My high school teachers pushed me to take challenging
classes, so I developed a strong work ethic that really helped me in college. And having Battier Take Charge as a support system through it all really helped me push through.
BATTIER TAKE CHARGE FOUNDATION:
Graduating college in three years is an incredible accomplishment. How do you follow that up?
IFE: After graduation, I enrolled in an accelerated nursing program at Texas Tech, to earn my Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. I am doing this to differentiate myself, as I prepare to become a medical school student. It’s an extremely demanding program that has taken over every aspect of my life. The program has us work 12-hour shifts at the hospital on top of the schooling, so it is very intensive and hands-on. It has definitely taught me to stay resilient in stressful situations! The work ethic I developed in high school and in college really prepared me to persevere and stay focused.
BATTIER TAKE CHARGE FOUNDATION:
When and how did you decide you wanted to become a doctor?
IFE: I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was a little kid. A lot of people in Houston are scared to go to the doctor, and it prevents them from being proactive about their health. I’ve learned that this is often because they can’t afford insurance or the cost of medical care. I also don’t see many Black doctors where I grew up, so I’d like to be a good role model for the community. I feel a
responsibility to help the people I grew up around because my community helped shape me.
BATTIER TAKE CHARGE FOUNDATION:
Tell me about your relationships with your peers from the Take Charge Scholars program? How have those relationships helped you?
IFE: It was awesome to bond with them a lot at the Leadership Retreat. Everyone was really cool, and it felt like family. I felt like I was at home. And everybody is doing different stuff, studying different things and exploring different experiences, so it was great networking with them. They’re all interesting people.
BATTIER TAKE CHARGE FOUNDATION: How would you describe Battier Take Charge to those not as familiar with the foundation or its programs?
IFE: If they’ve ever watched Fast and Furious, it’s like Vin Diesel says, “All about family.” It’s truly like that. When I talk to people about my experience with Take Charge, they’ve never heard of a scholarship organization like this. The foundation team and my fellow scholars are genuinely invested in our academic success, but also our overall development and mental health. And it’s great for networking. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and they help fill in the important gaps that often get overlooked. I will be part of Battier Take Charge for life!
2022 brought about the induction of five new students into our GUIDE program–and the realized goal of our expansion beyond our pilot high school. Operating in both Miami Central Senior High and Booker T. Washington Senior High, we’ve successfully expanded the access that underserved students in Miami have to educational opportunities, college access resources, and the overall support of their maximum potential. We found that the most effective approach to balancing this two-school model has been to host alternating, biweekly in-school lunch-and-learn sessions, with both schools converging one Saturday a month for workshops in our new office space. Our students made steady progress toward graduation as we imbue them with the skills to tackle high school, college, and beyond.
“TAKE CHARGE IS NOT JUST A PROGRAM; WE’RE A FAMILY WHO CARES ABOUT EACH OTHER’S SUCCESS, MOTIVATES ONE ANOTHER, AND SHOWS CONTINUOUS LOVE AND SUPPORT TO EACH OTHER.”
—
VOLTAIRE CLASS
OF 2024
Our fourth Battier Scholars Leadership Retreat was held in Gregory, Michigan from April 28 to May 1, 2022. After the pandemic forced us to postpone the retreat for two full years, the joy of connecting in person with Take Charge Family old and new far exceeded our expectations. Over 30 Battier Scholars from around the country descended on Shane and Heidi’s lake house and embraced this dynamic long weekend, with programming, workshops, wellness sessions and team building activities from arrival to departure. Oh, and just a *little* fun sprinkled in between!
Battier Scholars participated in a host of personal and professional development activities, ranging from selfreflection and goal-setting, to learning budgeting techniques and the art of negotiation. Our partners, Paul Warner and Brian Lam from On Course International, facilitated several sessions, creating an environment that invited our participants to share openly, build trust, navigate difficult topics, and establish authentic connections. Together we explored who we are and what motivates us, both individually and collectively as a Foundation.
Each day started with an opportunity to ground our minds and energize our bodies. Scholars and staff practiced yoga, went for nature hikes, or worked through guided meditations and breathing techniques. Some brave souls even participated in a cold plunge in the chilly lake, putting those breathing techniques to work in an experiment
in mental fortitude. Attendees came away from these experiences ready to work and make the most of our days together.
Scholars were also invited to use this weekend to take a breath from their busy lives and reset. We had baking classes, where scholars learned the secret recipe to make the famous “birthday cookies” they love. Boat rides on the lake were a highlight, with each Scholar having the opportunity to captain the ship. We explored the neighboring camp, brainstorming ideas for maximizing it’s use for community organizations, and we painted grown-up spin art, which let us all show our creative side. And as always, no Battier event is complete without some karaoke! Our Scholars sang and laughed until the early hours of the morning, and definitely maximized their time together.
With an emphasis on building relationships with each other, the natural leadership role our older scholars adopted in mentoring younger scholars makes us count this as our most successful retreat to date. We took the memories and bonds made over those four days back home with us in the form of renewed energy. Our plans for Retreat 2024 were in the works before we departed, and we are excited to involved the whole Take Charge Family in its planning and execution.
As we have mentioned, 2022 saw the birth of a brand-new Battier Take Charge initiative in Camden, NJ. 31 Battier North Scholars became a part of our Take Charge Family at the start of the 2022-2023 school year, members of the junior and senior classes at Camden Academy Charter High School. Program Manager Hannah Hays meets with these students twice weekly, and covers all aspects of the college preparation process. Supported by the CACHS Administration and Staff, dedicated mentors,
To Welcome our new students and their families, we hosted a Kickoff Event at the Philadelphia 76ers headquarters on September 20. Our guest got a tour of the building and practice facility, and received words of encouragement and advice from BTCF and 76ers staff and mentors. They signed contracts and received their pins, signifying their commitment to our Program and their pursuit of higher education.
In the heart of Camden, New Jersey, a transformative initiative is taking shape, fueled by the power of friendship and mutual respect. Battier North, our latest endeavor as the Battier Take Charge Foundation, stands as a testament to a lasting bond created during Shane’s NBA career.
The genesis of Battier North can be traced back to the friendship forged between Daryl Morey and Shane. Their paths first crossed when, as the General Manager of the Houston Rockets, Daryl traded for Shane. Giving up Rudy Gay, the 8th pick in the 2006 NBA draft, for Shane was not a popular decision amongst the Houston Rocket fanbase. However, it’s a decision that led Shane to his well-known appreciation for analytics and how they can be used to succeed on the court. Shane credits Daryl for that appreciation and for teaching him how to look at the data and use it to his advantage in competition.
Shane said about the trade, “I was their first major acquisition when Daryl became the general manager because the algorithms they used identified me as a player that provided high value at a very reasonable price.” This shared interest in analytics–along with a bargain deal–led to an authentic connection and mutual respect between GM and player. Years passed, and their NBA careers took them down different paths; yet, Shane and Daryl maintained their connection and mutual respect. In 2021 Daryl and Ellen Morey approached Shane & Heidi with an idea. They proposed a partnership between themselves and Battier Take Charge which would bring the opportunities the foundation offers to overlooked students in their current backyard of Philadelphia, where Daryl serves as the President of Basketball Operations of the Philadelphia 76ers. While renowned for his innovative approach to basketball analytics, Daryl harbors a parallel passion for leveraging his influence to effect positive change in society. Ellen shares her husband’s vision for empowering young people and nurturing their potential as she currently serves as a dedicated board member of The Battier Take Charge Foundation.
Daryl and Ellen Morey’s commitment to giving back–particularly to Battier Take Charge–stems back to Take Charge’s first ever fund raising effort in Houston: a 2009 wine tasting at Shane and Heidi’s home where Daryl was in attendance. Clearly, the mission of Take Charge resonated early on with the Moreys. Now, we fast forward to 2021, where the commitment of the Moreys have led us to Battier North.
Their financial philanthropy, as well as the commitment of the Moreys’ time and mentorship, have jump started the beginning of a great program at Camden Academy, which sits quite literally in the backyard of the 76ers practice facility in Camden, New Jersey. With 14 students initially enrolled, the plan is to increase that scope each year by adding additional grade levels to the program.
“It’s pretty amazing how life can come full circle,” Heidi says with a laugh. “There was a time when you could say I was less than happy with Daryl… for trading Shane back to the Memphis Grizzlies while I was pregnant with our daughter Eloise! But there’s something to be said for maintaining connections with people in your life you ultimately respect and share values with. Daryl and Ellen’s efforts to start Battier North are an example of good people doing well and doing good!”
As Battier North continues to evolve and flourish, it serves as a shining example of what can be achieved when friendship, respect, and a shared vision converge. Through the unwavering commitment of Daryl and Ellen Morey, Shane and Heidi Battier, and everyone else involved, Battier North is poised to become a beacon of hope and opportunity for the students of Camden, inspiring them to reach for the stars and realize their fullest potential.
“THE BATTIER TAKE CHARGE FOUNDATION HAS BROUGHT MY ENTIRE ACADEMIC HISTORY UNDER ONE ROOF. WITHIN BTCF, I HAVE FRIENDS FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND THE HUB PROGRAM (WHERE I HEARD ABOUT BTCF), ALUMNI FROM MY UNIVERSITY WITH SIMILAR DEGREE PATHS I CAN LOOK UP TO AND VIEW AS MENTORS, AND OTHER SCHOLARS I CAN NETWORK AND TRADE IDEAS WITH. BEING PART OF THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN A HUGE POSITIVE FOR MY ACADEMIC GOALS AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE CONNECTIONS AND MEMORIES WITH OTHER DETERMINED, HARD-WORKING PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF IS SOMETHING YOU CAN’T PUT A PRICE ON.”
— ZANDER NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY, CLASS OF 2024 Battier ScholarTHANK 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. IN THE MEANTIME, DO WELL, DO GOOD.
THE BATTIER TAKE CHARGE FOUNDATION 2829 BIRD AVENUE, SUITE 5, MIAMI, FL 33133 INFO@TAKECHARGEFOUNDATION.ORG BATTIERTAKECHARGE.ORG