Project Still I Rise 2022 Annual Report

THE STATE OF Project Still I Rise

THE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE Kevin Mondy Sr.

As we enter 2023, I am thankful for Project Still I Rise, celebrating 20 Years in 2022. Whether it has been collaborating with board members, communitybased organizations, corporate partners, college and university partners, or supporters — I am fortunate to be in the company of such compassionate and knowledgeable leaders.

What’s even more inspiring is the energy each of you continues to give in the face of the nation’s current health, economic, and social challenges. While the time has approached for many of us to pause and reconnect with family, friends, and most importantly, ourselves — I am encouraged by the promise that 2023 brings for PSIR and the communities we serve.

I’ve often been reminded that the concept of hard work is deeply embedded in the fabric of any great leader. It’s the key to achieving lasting success and abundance — but it also involves practicing empathy, cultivating a positive mindset, and prioritizing relationships. Being fully dedicated to the mission and not acquiescing on finding solutions has helped solidify PSIR as an organization that delivers. Period.

Join us in celebrating life and recharging as we continue Empowering Today's Youth for Tomorrow's Opportunities.

“SERVICE IS THE RENT WE PAY WE PAY FOR BEING. IT IS THE VERY PURPOSE OF LIFE, AND NOT SOMETHING YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME.”

- MARY WRIGHT EDELMAN

Project Still I Rise Board Chair

Special Message

Dear Friends of Project Still I Rise,

As chairperson of the board, I am proud to present our annual report for 2022.

This report provides an overview of our work in the past year and key accomplishments. The organization's mission is to Empower Today's Youth for Tomorrow's Opportunities. We work to achieve this goal by providing academic and supportive youth programming for the communities and students we serve.

This past year was a busy one for us. We welcomed two new board members to join our board, established vital partnerships, expanded our Urban STEM Initiative, and held dozens of educational workshops.

Project Still I Rise Board Members

Arthur Gregg - Board Chair

Kimberley Spight - Board Secretary

Lisa Green - Board Treasurer

Deidria Ellington - Board Member

Kendrick Crawford - Board Member

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Pete Guilfoile - Board Member

Lance Bennett - Board Member

Tish Hearne - Board Member

Toni Holloway - Board Member

Arthur Gregg

The Urban Scholars program was initiated in 2015 by Project Still I Rise Inc. This impactful program was designed for high school students to ensure their successful transition through high school into higher education and meaningful careers. Students involved in this program have participated in paid internships or employment opportunities with PSIR, service learning opportunities, financial education workshops, and professional development coaching throughout the school year. Since its inception, Project Still I Rise has invested over $100,000 in direct support for program participants.

Urban Scholars

In 2022, PSIR awarded 18 deserving students with financial scholarships and a technology package, complete with a laptop computer.

Students from the 2022 class will be attending the following colleges and universities:

Alabama A&M University

Morehouse College

Delaware State University

Texas Christian University

Grambling State University

Prairie View A&M University

Howard University

University of North Texas

Friends University

Dallas College

Vanderbilt College

University of Texas at Arlington

National Youth Chamber of Commerce

Project Still I Rise launched the National Youth Chamber of Commerce with one main purpose in mind — to serve as a catalyst to assist youth in elementary through high school with pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams. PSIR passionately advocates for these youth and provides the necessary support, access to resources and mentorship

The Why

PSIR’s Program Manager Marcus Robinson provides leadership to the program and has made great strides in the growth and development of this initiative. In 2022, the National Youth Chamber added 142 new youth members, bringing its total membership to 291 students. A major highlight this year for this program was member participation as vendors at the Dallas Farmers Market and the Entrepreneurship Symposium in spring and fall.

Marcus Robinson

CLICKS Mentoring Program

CLICKS Mentoring is a multi-state, law-related mentoring support program that empowers at-risk youth through exposure to social justice issues, health, sports, law and the legal profession. Funded by a grant from the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of the Justice Program (OJP), Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Program (OJJDP). The overall goal of the CLICKS model is to provide positive influences and worthwhile experiences in the lives of young people.

PSIR received its second year of funding in 2022 through this initiative, providing mentoring and support to approximately 70 middle and high school students.

Arthur Tre ’ Bohannon

In 2022, Project Still I Rise also hosted community basedworkshops with authors Patrick Oliver and Tre’ Bohannon, as well as participated in a parade with Head Start and Comerica Bank.

Did you know?

“Students of color are often concentrated in schools with fewer resources. Schools with 90 percent or more students of color spend $733 less per student per year than schools with 90 percent or more white students.” (Source: UNCF)

PSIR and core partners like Comerica Bank have made significant strides in broadening literacy resources for students, beginning in Pre-K.

PSIR Boks and Banking

Project Still I Rise partners with Comerica Bank for the Books and Banking program, which aims to put culturally relevant books into the hands of students. A programmatic goal of this initiative is to not only encourage students to build at-home libraries, but also distribution of over 1,000 books to students and community partners. This program embodies a cornerstone of PSIR’s mission — to emphasizes collaboration, leveraging existing resources, building for the future through capacity development, innovation-driven solutions, and a strong emphasis on quality programs and service.

Author Patrick Oliver

Books & Banking Event

PSIR Financial Education Initiative

Financial education is vital to our community because it equips students with the knowledge and skills to manage money effectively. Project Still I Rise is committed, along with our financial partners, to encouraging students to save money, fostering peer conversations, and empowering them to be good stewards of their financial futures. PSIR provided financial education workshops and programs to over 1,500 students in 2022.

Banks for Babies

Dallas-based Comerica Bank was honored by the Texas Bankers Association for its Banks for Babies project. Research shows a direct correlation between young people who are introduced to basic financial principles and taught how to manage their money at an early age and their future success. Comerica partnered with Project Still I Rise Inc. to bring this program to Head Start of Greater Dallas in South Dallas. This program teaches preschoolers the fundamentals of saving and goal setting through an interactive coloring activity. Once completed, the children are given a piggy bank with a dollar coin to kick off their savings journey.

September

2023

PSIR’’s Urban STEM Initiative

2022 was a big year for the Urban STEM Initiative with PSIR. The Urban STEM Initiative engages under-represented ethnic groups (African American, Latino, and Indigenous) in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skill building. The engagement of this initiative has come through a summer experience at UTD titled the Urban STEM Camp, along with Youth Hackathons and our Urban STEM Pop-Ups. The Urban STEM Camp was able to come back in person in 2022, after a temporary hiatus due to COVID-19.

In addition, PSIR understands the importance of closing the STEM equity gap for underrepresented populations. PSIR launched a new component for this program, the Urban STEM Pop-Ups. PSIR partnered with the Johnson School of Engineering at UT Dallas to provide a year-long STEM outreach opportunity for students. The Pop-Ups engage university faculty and staff, industry professionals, and community members and are held on the third Saturday of each month. At initial enrollment, PSIR had 58 students to register for the program this fall.

African American All Male Academic Bowl

The African-American All Male Academic Bowl is still going strong as we enter into our 13th year in 2023. This dynamic and enlightening academic competition for young African American men has included hundreds of participating boys that not only represent North Texas middle schools, but also numerous local community groups, faith-based organizations, and Greek-lettered auxiliary young groups. It has become one of PSIR’s signature programs in demonstrating scholastic excellence. #AAMAB

— Literacy is still one of our biggest challenges in our community. Technology is the gateway to provide a sustainable future for the next generation, and is the new great equalizer. With the future of jobs primarily in the fields of healthcare, tech and artificial intelligence (AI) — there’s a pressing need to provide access to these jobs by equipping our youth with the skills to compete.

THE SOLUTION — PSIR continues to partner with industry professionals through various programs to help students gain exposure to fields in STEM, particularly technology, to charter paths of success in academic excellence, leadership, technical development and workforce

training. With 6 out of 10 of the “top employers” being tech companies, PSIR answers the call through coding, robotics, and engineering programs.

THE IMPACT — Through the Urban STEM Initiative and the National Youth Chamber of Commerce, PSIR has exposed thousands of youth in underserved communities across Dallas and Texas to STEM -- everything from physics and robotics to cybersecurity and blockchain technology. Each

year, the Urban STEM Camp, Hackathon and other programs have grown exponentially — increasing participation to over 100 students in 2022. Beyond STEM, supporting PSIR program participants in their entrepreneurial pursuits and providing resources through the NYCOC has exploded in popularity, with hundreds of new members added annually since 2021.

“Our children today should be stimulated into not merely accepting what they hear but, to develop their own thought processes, through logical reasoning, in their pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. It’s important to stimulate the development of our children's mental and ethical growth through mentorship and positive programming.”

- Marcus Robinson, Program Manager of NYCOC