INTRODUCTION
In fall 2023, the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition (BRYC) entered into a partnership with East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS) wherein BRYC received $1 5 million to: 1) sustain 2023–2024 operations at BRYC Downtown and prepare to serve at least 50% more EBRPSS students by launching BRYC Airline in 2024–2025 In exceeding these milestones, BRYC also strengthened relationships with school partners, leading to the development that BRYC will pilot college counseling services in five EBRPSS high schools starting fall 2024, serving even more EBRPSS students
In this report, we present data from the 2023–2024 school year to illustrate BRYC’s impact on individual students and the district at large We hope you enjoy reading about how EBRPSS’ bold investment in BRYC has in turn emboldened us to scale up our service model – significantly yet sustainably –reflecting our shared, deeply held commitment
supporting East Baton Rouge
A Ljyne B , Tara High School Class of 2024, with his BRYC program manager Jakia Steele at Tara s graduation
WHY BRYC?
The promise of higher education
is that it will level an extremely uneven playing field, helping individuals and families secure better opportunities for future generations This promise is made tangible in the Louisiana Board of Regents’ Master Plan, which states that 65% of jobs nationally and 56% of jobs statewide require a college degree or high value credential, requiring a 12% increase in degree attainment among working-age citizens by 2030
Despite constant questioning of its value, a bachelor’s degree remains a reliable path to economic mobility. Yet, low-socioeconomic-status students and those from underrepresented demographics have the most difficulty entering and completing college affordably, both nationally and locally.
BRIEF ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY
The Baton Rouge Youth Coalition
BRYC is a college and career preparatory nonprofit whose 667 alumni have earned over 200 degrees and $85 million in scholarships and boast an 82% college retention rate five times the national average for lower-income youth
BRYC was founded in 2009 when two Belaire High School teachers recognized that tremendous barriers were preventing their lower-income students from achieving postsecondary success barriers that even the students’ notable academic performance could not offset. Today, hundreds of EBRPSS students participate in up to five years of our free after-school and in-school programs, which emphasize self-regulated and socioemotional learning; affordable college entry; college persistence; and career readiness. Annually, BRYC’s relatively small full-time staff achieves outsized impact by coordinating 250 longterm volunteers and leveraging campus, community, and industry partnerships In fall 2024, BRYC is launching an inschool college counseling pilot and opening a second EBR Parish campus, more than doubling participant capacity
Team members take a prerenovation tour of BRYC Airline, located at 14141 Airline Hwy BRYC is renting and refurbishing the space in time for a fall 2024 opening The new campus was made possible through EBRPSS investment in BRYC and will serve 210 EBR students in 2024-2025 and at least 250 each year thereafter
BRYC alumni two- and four-year persistence rate
U.S. average: 15%
MISSION
Help underserved youth excel in high school; enter, persist through, and graduate from college; and secure career-track jobs
VISION
Provide our Fellows with the best college-preparatory, college persistence, and career placement services money can buy for free so they can maximize the economic value of their degrees, build the lives they want, and help future generations do the same
CORE VALUES
Hustle: Go Hard Integrity: Be Just Community: Maximize BRYC
Class of 2024 Senior Retreat
2023-2024 PROGRAM MODEL
BRYC’s core programs take place Monday-toThursday during the school year Fellows arrive between 2:30–4:30pm, a free period to study, socialize, eat, play video games, and meet with counselors or tutors. Program A begins at 4:30pm, followed by Program B at 6:00pm Functionally, Program A is for learning new concepts from BRYC’s program managers (PMs), and Program B is for practicing and applying new skills with support from long-term volunteer mentors (“VIPs”).
BRYC’s 9+-year continuum of services helps Fellows develop, practice, and execute self-regulation, socioemotional, and self-advocacy skills in pursuit of stronger academic performance; more diverse college and financial aid opportunities; persistence-to-degree conferral; and college-level employment Robust wrap-around services and a trio of dedicated adults (program manager, mentor, community advocate) ensure Fellows have sufficient support both in and outside of BRYC.
In 2023-2024, BRYC acquired a van and full-sized school bus to maximize accessibility to our three locations and ease the burden on EBRPSS and BRYC families
2023–2024 SERVICE OVERVIEW
by students who are more likely to attend BRMHS or Liberty Our response has been to relentlessly recruit students from underrepresented schools and in Baton Rouge’s most marginalized areas; launch a site closer to historically underrepresented schools; launch in-school programs in historically underrepresented schools; have an open admissions policy; and support all postsecondary pathways.
Bi-Annual Surveys (1,028 Total Responses)
In 2023–2024, BRYC also served 667 alumni, 75% of whom are EBRPSS graduates. BRYC’s alumni population is projected to double by 2028.
“BRYC is doing a phenomenal job with youth. I am continuously amazed at how my son has transformed in his time there and continues to grow academically and socially. BRYC has become my extended family and village I have partners in the work to help my son in his journey to be a more well-rounded individual and student ”
Lakesha R., EBRPSS Parent
“BRYC has taught me actual life lessons. We had a lesson on locus of control and that has been very effective for me, even to today. I've learned not to waste time or get upset over situations that are out of my control, and that failure can help you rise.”
Keyana A., EBRPSS Sophomore
RESULTS: THE BIG FIVE
BRYC measures Fellows’ progress through our model in terms of “The Big Five” the five building blocks of not only a competitive college applicant but a prepared college student. The Big Five are:
Scotlandville Senior Kalaja J is pictured
THE BIG FIVE (CONT’D)
Writing (2023–2024)
Writing is arguably the most powerful lever in the college process, especially given test-optionality and the end of race-conscious admissions Essays let Fellows showcase their writing ability while differentiating themselves by communicating their stories and strengths Further, Fellows use writing to self-advocate, giving admissions officers context about adverse circumstances and special considerations BRYC invests heavily in writing to produce high-quality applications and college-ready students
Involvement (2023–2024)
BRYC helps Fellows find “their things” the activities that make them come alive Outside-of-class involvement is essential to strong college applications, but it’s more important for building world-ready people Involved students have higher self-efficacy because they have built the teamwork, leadership, and problemsolving skills key for long-term success These are just a few examples of BRYCorganized activities and that helped Fellows boost their involvement.
Work in Grades 8-10
“With the
help of
the College Team, I was able to elevate my writing when it came to college and scholarship essays.”
Sophia B , EBRPSS Senior
Recommendation Letters (2023–2024)
Like essays, letters of recommendation can pull critical weight in admissions decisions, and are often required for institutional aid, scholarship, internship, study abroad, and other applications with potential to yield significant financial or experiential benefit. A strong recommendation letter is personalized, detailed, and illuminating, which necessitates a close relationship between a student and recommender. BRYC encourages such relationships between Fellows and their mentor, program manager, teachers, coaches, etc., and helps Fellows practice self-assured, fluent interactions with adults in their orbit.
“Since joining BRYC, I feel more confident interacting with adults and peers.”
“I care about my relationship with my BRYC mentor.” 92%
Fellows say: “BRYC has helped me identify extra-curricular activities that match my interests/goals.”
Fellows say: “Since joining BRYC, the time I spend participating in extra-curricular activities has ” Fellows say: ”I’m involved with at least one other extra-curricular outside BRYC ”
2023–2024 Fellows reported joining the following with BRYC’s support:
BRYC and Fran U are partnering to offer “Wolfpack Academy,” a healthcare summer camp
BRYC’s “Future You Fair ”introduced Fellows to local organizations,
BRYC often puts Fellows in positions to share their views on panels and in other public forums
BRYC and tech company Vigilus are partnering to offer Fellows a summer camp focused on coding.
Summer 2023: BRYC guided Fellows with no summer plans through a a self-directed project
BRYC continually sources local and non local activities and supports Fellows in pursuing them
FINANCIAL AID
FAFSA Fallout
BRYC’s mission is not simply to ensure Fellows get accepted to the two- or four-year schools of their choice, but for them to matriculate with responsible payment plans, incurring minimal student loan debt (≤$5,500 subsidized aid/year) This outcome hinges on timely, error-free FAFSA submission In 2023–2024, students nationwide faced unprecedented challenges thanks to a worst-case-scenario “new FAFSA” rollout BRYC’s seniors were no exception But, knowing how crucial FAFSA completion is for Fellows, BRYC deployed multiple proactive and terventions to minimize damage
BRYC notifies seniors and families about the delayed FAFSA timeline (Dec vs Oct)
BRYC communicates weekly with guardians about which documents and information to prepare ahead of the December launch
The new FAFSA becomes available on Jan 8
BRYC hosts a series of in-person and virtual “FAFSA Nights” in collaboration with LOFSA to provide 1:1 support to seniors and guardians
BRYC tracks each senior’s FAFSA for confirmation of acceptance and error notices
BRYC screens reported errors and helps families communicate directly with FAFSA’s support line to resolve issues
Recognizing that the delay will likely harm financial aid prospects, BRYC encourages seniors to focus on scholarship applications
BRYC hosts 1:1 financial aid counseling with seniors/guardians to discuss offers, though many have yet to receive their offer letters
Seniors face external pressure to enroll without knowing the full financial impact; BRYC advises waiting to commit until they can make a financially-informed decision
BRYC raises money to offset seniors’ costs
As of May 31, 2024, several BRYC seniors still have not received their offer letters
A Note About Basic Needs
For the past three years, BRYC has applied for and received a Capital Area United Way Basic Needs grant, which we remit through an internal granting process to BRYC guardians. While this could be considered outside BRYC’s purview as a college and career readiness program, the fact remains that these funds are crucial to many EBRPSS families’ well-being, providing shortterm relief for food, housing, medical care, and other areas of urgent financial insecurity
“I’m
CLASS OF 2024 SNAPSHOT
Selection of In-State Acceptances
616
Selection of Out-of-State Acceptances
Finances
delayed FAFSA rollout has made king seniors’ institutional aid offers r-impossible, but the real harm is to ows and families forced to make sions that impact long-term ncial stability without complete rmation. BRYC will continue to se Fellows on financial matters track and report on financial aid as it becomes available.
Glen Oaks Senior Kaiya-Rai G (pictured accepting a $500 scholarship from 100 Black Women, Inc ) had her heart set on Rhodes College, but the initial financial aid offer wasn t nearly enough In late April, BRYC took Kaiya-Rai on a visit to Rhodes, during which she was offered an impromptu interview for the Bonner Scholarship With only a few days to prepare, BRYC’s College Team coached Kaiya-Rai in a hurry She crushed the interview, and an hour afterward, the committee called Kaiya-Rai to say she would be awarded over $70,000 in aid
TOPSeligible seniors
The majority of BRYC Fellows attend in-state schools, making it essential that Fellows secure funding unlocked through TOPS-eligible ACT scores 79% Class of 2024 seniors matriculating to in-state schools
97%
Seniors agree: “BRYC taught me new things about applying for college and scholarships.”
Senior Achievements
Makayla B Gates Scholar; Phillips Scholar
Amaya C QuestBridge Finalist
Erin Claire H QuestBridge Finalist Ja’Leah R Disney Dreamers Academy
Ma’at F 100 Black Women Scholar
Ahrianna V HBCU Puissance Scholar
Kalaja J Health Fellows Scholar
Anyla J Health Fellows Scholar Madison R Health Fellows Scholar
GiGi G Louisiana Young Hero
Rachel A 2024 WE GLOW Global Cohort
Jasmine B Northeast High Valedictorian
INTRODUCING BRYC AIRLINE!
EBRPSS’ investment in BRYC was largely to launch a new site. In February 2024, BRYC signed a four-year lease at 14141 Airline Highway, a well-priced location meeting our thoroughly researched new site criteria, which focused on: avoiding geographic redundancy; increasing accessibility for Fellows and Guardians; increasing proximity to historically underrepresented schools; ensuring capacity for future growth; ensuring suitability of facilities; and being prepared for natural disasters.
Key Milestones
4.2K
Total square feet
110
Exp 24-25 enrollment
8–12
Grades served
300
Student capacity
Fall 2023
Spring 2024
Summer 2024
August 2024
EBRPSS grants BRYC $1.5M BRYC engages SSA Consultants to aid planning
BRYC’S IN-SCHOOL COLLEGE COUNSELING PILOT
In BRYC’s 2023–2024 contract with EBRPSS, we wrote the following: “BRYC’s expanded presence in EBRPSS and newly-formalized relationship with the district will position us to deepen our partnerships with schools in key ways ” We are pleased that this expectation has materialized into a plan in 2024–2025 for BRYC to provide best-in-class college counseling services within five EBR high schools, eliminating barriers to BRYC’s offerings while strengthening existing recruitment pipelines to BRYC’s outside-of-school programs
“I want to major in elementary education and become a third-grade teacher I've always had the dream to pour my knowledge out on those younger than me. Lots of people say the ‘wanting to be a teacher phase’ goes away, but mine has grown stronger ”
Bre’ah J., Rising Northeast In-School Fellow
BRYC secures 14141 Airline Hwy BRYC hires and onboards new teaching staff
Airline renovations conclude Airline Fellows complete matriculation
Grand opening for all stakeholders BRYC programs begin at Airline!
For the first time in BRYC’s history,
we will utilize school hours and spaces to deliver bestin-class college counseling to a pilot cohort of five EBRPSS schools, ensuring hard-working students don’t have to choose between an existing after-school responsibility and structured, expert guidance for meeting their postsecondary goals and potential If the pilot is successful and school partners are pleased with their students’ outcomes, we look forward to expanding the program to several more EBRPSS schools and even starting with younger grades
“Students at Tara desperately need additional college and career counseling
The mentors at BRYC address this need in an upbeat, proactive, and positive manner.”
Mr. John Haymon, Tara High Principal
Pilot Partner Schools
Liberty Magnet High School McKinley High School Northeast High School Scotlandville Magnet HS Tara High School
EBRPSS COLLEGE COUNSELOR FEEDBACK
BRYC’s in-school college counseling program is in part an effort to supplement the work of EBRPSS’s guidance counselors, who are tasked with supporting students in myriad ways beyond postsecondary planning. In November 2023, Executive Director Lucas Spielfogel met with ~100 EBRPSS middle and high school counselors to present on BRYC’s model and solicit feedback about their experience with advising students on how to best pursue their college and career goals. Fortysix counselors completed an anonymous survey, rating 13 statements on a 1–5 Likert scale. We feel this data set, a relatively small sample size, supports the case for BRYC‘s in-school efforts.
This section of the report includes feedback BRYC collected anonymously from EBRPSS counselors in November 2023. The feedback concerns their experiences providing college counseling services to students in their respective schools. We have provided survey results to the school board but are not making counselor responses publicly available at this time.
For 15 years, 100% of BRYC seniors have graduated high school with postsecondary plans and minimal debt, becoming alumni who have maintained 82% college completion at 2and 4-year schools five times the national average for lower-income youth. BRYC’s commitment to ensuring Fellows transition to and persist through college may fall outside the scope of EBRPSS’ K-12 purview, but it is an insurance policy on the district’s investment in BRYC and, much more so, its billions of dollars invested in these students’ K-12 careers.
BRYC’s return on investment can be measured by calculating workforce participation as a function of degree attainment and comparing annual wages, lifetime tax value, and state unemployment savings for BRYC Fellows vs. lower-income youth who graduate college at the national average rate of 15%.
EBRPSS ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS
Five hundred BRYC alumni are graduates of EBRPSS high schools. We’re proud to share (just a few) updates on their progress through college and career.
Kimani is a graduate of Southern U and A&M College He applied his management degree to launching professional photography busines Alexander Images, based in Zacha Kimani Alexander (Scotlandville)
Shaniah is a graduate of Louisiana Stat University and serves as a military occupational specialist focused on anim care She recently received the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal Shaniah Bethley (BRMHS)
Anston Broadway (Scotlandville)
Anston is a graduate of Southern University and A&M College. He helps children reach ir full academic potential as a paraofessional for Capitol Middle School
Taylior Burton (Liberty)
Tyari is a graduate of the University of Chicago and a 2020 WAVE Scholar (Women's Association of Venture & Equity) She is the education coordinator for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office Tyari Heard (Liberty)
Taylior is a graduate of Southern University and A&M College She lives in Columbus, Ind and works as a soil conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service –United States Department of Agriculture
Autumn is a graduate of Howard University and a 2024 Brooke Owens Fellow She will intern at BryceTech this summer before joining Georgia Tech’s aerospace engineering doctoral program in the fall Autumn Edwards (BRMHS)
Jayde Encalade, J.D. (BRMHS)
Jayde is a graduate of the University of Houston and Tulane Law, where she was a Tulane 34 awardee She clerked for the Hon Karen Wells Roby before joining Burns Charest, New Orleans as an associate.
Mandy Gabriel, M.A. (McKinley)
Mandy is a graduate of Louisiana State University and SNHU She is the founder and CEO of Chipper Media and works as the senior communication catalyst for MetroMorphosis in Baton Rouge, La
Shandricka is a battalion operations officer and graduate of LSU and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She is pursuing an M B A at William & Mary, where she is a Major James Wright Fellow Shandricka Jackson, M.S. (Glen Oaks)
Malik Johnson, M.Arch. (Liberty)
Malik is a graduate of Howard University’s master of architecture program, where he served as a teaching assistant He is an architectural intern for Didier Architecture in Baton Rouge, La.
Alyssia Jones-White, M.A. (Scotlandville)
Alyssia is a graduate of Northwestern State University and the founder and owner of WorkSpace: Career & Branding Services She is also academic counselor 2 for the LSU College of Engineering
Khaliah is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University and currently pursuing a doctorate in optometry at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico She was recently awarded the Dr M R Poston Leadership Scholarship Khaliah Knighten (BRMHS)
Levi Lewis (Scotlandville)
Levi is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he played for the Ragin’ Cajuns He is now a professional football player, having signed with the Barcelona Dragons in February 2024.
Andrea Loyd, M.Acc. (Liberty)
Andrea is a graduate of North Carolina A&T University, where served as president of the council of presidents After interning with Dow, they offered her a full-time associate accounting specialist role in Midland, Mich
EBRPSS ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS
ho are making an impact in nities.
LaKiya Nash (Glen Oaks)
LaKiya is a graduate of Southern University and A&M College’s nursing program For nearly four years, she has worked with Our Lady of the Lake as a part-time nurse technician and now full-time nurse
Dominique Ricks, M.A. (Belaire)
Dominique “Dom” is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison He was named 2015 Teacher of the Year at East Iberville Middle and now serves as the first Black principal of Kromney Middle School in Middleton, Wisc
Christian Riley (Woodlawn)
Christian is a graduate of Loyola University of New Orleans. She worked as a video engineer and videographer before founding her own NOLA-based portrait studio, Christian Riley Photography.
Jerlisa Robinson, M.Ed. (Tara)
Jerlisa is a graduate of Southern University and holds two master’s degrees from the University of Houston and LSU A former STEM Teaching Fellow, she’s now a full-tim math teacher at Woodlawn High School
Jonathan M. Scott (Belaire)
Kari Stephens, M.S.W. (BRMHS)
Kari is a graduate of Louisiana State University and the first in her biological family to earn a degree A BRYC Health Fellow, Kari now works with TIKES (Tulane Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation)
Dailynn Thomas (Liberty)
Dailynn is a graduate of Southern University and A&M College and Rose State College’s aircraft pilot program. She works for Boeing as an electrical wire design engineer in Oklahoma City, Okla
Henry Thomas III (Scotlandville)
Henry is a graduate of Southern University and A&M College and is a maintenance and reliability engineer with LyondellBasell He is married to BRYC Alumna Javian Pierson (Scotlandville), also an engineer.
Jonathan is a graduate of Morehouse College After working as an associate with PriceWaterhouseCoopers in Atlanta, Ga., he accepted a new position as a re energy analyst with ENGIE Impa
Taylor C. Scott, Ph.D. (Belaire)
Taylor is a graduate of Universi Wisconsin-Madison and LSU Sh named Baton Rouge’s 2023 po and is an assistant professor of Southern University.
Gary Slack, Ph.D. (Belaire)
Gary is a graduate of Dillard University, Loyola University of Maryland, and Cornell University He is an assistant professor of African American literature at Loyola University of Maryland
Brandon is a graduate of Loyola University of New Orleans A BRYC Health Fellow, he served in the mayor’s office (Safe, Hopeful, Healthy BR) before beginning a master’s of public health administration at Morehouse Brandon Vincent (BRMHS)
Jon “Alex” Watford (Belaire)
Alex is a graduate of Morehouse College and currently pursuing a Ph D and serving as a graduate research assistant at NYU. He is an sultant with Focus Strategies, tes for unhoused people
Kenneth White (Liberty)
Kenneth is a graduate of Louisiana State University and an access to action workforce programmer with Warner Bros Discovery He received the John-Carlo Monti Award at the 34th Annual New Orleans Film Festival.
Dale (Tung-Dai) Wu (Broadmoor)
Dale is a graduate of Full Sail University where she studied game art For five years, she has worked as a 3D environment artist with HypGames, based in Orlando, Fla.
BRYC’s
BRYC’s EBRPSS Counselor Survey: November 2023
BRYC’s
Contact
