JANUARY 2024 | QUARTER 1 | ISSUE 1
THE BLU NOTE The Official Newsletter of BLU Educational Foundation
THE BLU NOTE RE-LAUNCH Allison Sherman | Director
BLU Educational Foundation has been hard at work to provide quality and impactful programs and resources for students, families, and organizations that come through our four focus areas; College and Career, Leadership, Civic Engagement, and the Arts. BLU has remained steadfast in the fight for educational equity and access, but has also increased our community engagement efforts. We are currently serving hundreds of students, and community members through our programs, projects, and initiatives. We understand the need to uplift and empower our community through
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
being the guiding light through encouraging and
BLU Educational Foundation had a phenomenal
The BLU Note is here to share and highlight the
2023. We’re extremely grateful for our supporters,
best of our work. Be sure to check us out each
funders, and most importantly, the students and
quarter for the latest news, data, and program
families that make it possible for us to continue
updates!
promoting higher education and community work.
Dina Walker | CEO
to make positive change in the Inland Empire. We have been diligent and laser focused on our mission of providing educational and human services programming to youth, adults and organizations in order to build healthy, productive communities. Our vision and keyword for 2024 is ELEVATION. We believe that in order for our community to elevate, it must begin with us. We encourage you to stay tuned in as we will be releasing more information regarding programming, events, and data on the work we show up for each day!
(909) 685-9995
www.bluedfoundation.org
@bluedfoundation
JANUARY 2024 | QUARTER 1 | ISSUE 1
COLLEGE & CAREER ACCESS To date, BLU has been able to award $250,000+ in scholarships and 43 college and university placements as of the 2023/2024 school year. Additionally, BLU held its first job shadow day on February 2, 2023. Twelve high school students from Rialto Unified School District had the opportunity to visit the following service areas in Nutrition Services, Child Welfare and Attendance, Technology, and Purchasing. This opportunity allows for students to be exposed and engaged through a range of career options within the City of Rialto.
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LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Building on BLU Educational Foundation’s deep knowledge and expertise in leadership development, civic engagement, and community building this year’s camp exposed students to a range of holistic enrichment activities. This years camp brought together 65 students (34 Sol Brothers and 31 Soul Sisters). LEARN MORE
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT BLU supports and amplifies the involvement of students and community leaders. We empower the communities of the Inland Empire and provide tools and resources needed to make informed decisions that will change the trajectory of local politics. The Institute for Civic Engagement held 3 Leadership Power Hour workshops, the African American Parent Leadership Trainings served 8 parents, and the organization sponsored 2 Civic Leadership Fellowships in 2023.
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ARTS & CULTURE Recently BLU has increased the engagement and awareness of the Arts focus area to ensure that we remain on track with the importance of art and how exposing students to opportunities within the arts community, increases their chances to tap into their personal potential. This year we launched our Black Boy and Black Girl Art Shows in which students got to learn more about different forms of art and career options. 29 students united and celebrated Artistic expression together along with several BLU staff.
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JANUARY 2024 | QUARTER 1 | ISSUE 1
THE BLU NOTE The Official Newsletter of BLU Educational Foundation
BLACK EQUITY INITIATIVE CONVENING Kameron Pyant | Black Equity Initiative Liaison
The Inland Empire Black Equity Initiative held a Quarterly Convening Meeting at San Bernardino Valley College December 7th, 2023. Established in 2014, the Black Equity Initiative (BEI) consists of a network of Black-led and serving organizations to work on issues affecting the Black community. The Black Equity Initiative utilizes Quarterly Convening Meetings to highlight new and old organizations within its network, to create and collaborate on new events and ideas, as well as to conduct organizational support workshops with the intent that our organizations remain well resourced, supported, and can achieve greater success. The focal point of the December 2023 Quarterly Convening Meeting was to highlight communication. As we learned about each other through activities, fellowship, and professional development workshops — we increased our understanding what organizations were in the room and what exactly they do. This ultimately supports us in determining how we can collaborate towards our shared goals.
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INTRODUCING PURPOSEFUL PATHWAYS INITIATIVE
IN THE NEWS COLLEGE PROJECT MAKES STRIDES WITH $5 MILLION AWARD BLU Education Foundation helps Black, Latino students prepare for careers
UPCOMING EVENTS January 19, 2024 Public Policy & Advocacy Internship Application Due - APPLY HERE January 20, 2024 College Exodus Project 3rd Saturday Meeting February 10-11, 2024 Black College Expo 2/10
DONATE If you would like to be part of some of the great work taking place here you can always donate your time, treasure, or talent. Visit our donation page to learn more.
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Nicholas Clayborne | Career Partnerships Coordinator BLU Educational Foundation is thrilled to announce the launch of our Purposeful Pathways Initiative. This initiative was designed to strengthen career pathways for high school and college students by directly aligning course work, opportunities and support to academic certification and/or degree programs, and industry experience.
CONTACT US As a part of our pathways, BLU has researched and identified the industries to have thriving and sustainable
@bluedfoundation
career opportunities.
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www.bluedfoundation.org