Issuu

RON BROWN SCHOLAR

PROGRAM NORMAN AND RUTH RALES FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIP GRANT REPORT

The 2023-2024 year saw Scholars continue to thrive academically and the Ron Brown Scholar Program (RBSP) continue its normal routines with in-person events, Alumni Association gatherings and check-in with students on campus. We were able to award 50 scholarships to the class of 2024 and all have begun the new academic year off well.

Summer 2024 brought around our 2024 Leaders Summit, Legal Launch and our first ever August Leadership Gathering in multiple cities across the US. These gatherings strengthened our theme for this year, Building Legacy Through Community

MATRICULATION AND

PERSISTENCE DATA FOR UNDERGRADUATE RON BROWN SCHOLARS

We are also excited to have announced our latest RBS Program – The Ron Brown Venture Lab designed to assist RBS entrepreneurs. You will read more about this program below, but it is led by Ron Brown Scholar Raymond Pryor, IV. RBSP welcomed two new partners to the Ron Brown – Ruth and Norman Rales Network in Cornerstone Research and Wilson Sonsini Law Firm. The Leaders Network also saw one of its most successful years for hiring outcomes.

Thank you for the support the Norman and Ruth Rales Foundation has provided to the Program over the last few years.

•

Entering Fall of 2024 current undergraduate Ron Brown Scholars have returned to their undergraduate programs. We currently have two Scholars who did not return for the current quarter for mental health reasons, but are on track to return in January 2025.

•

RBS College graduating class of 2024 (2020 RBS): 23/25 graduated on time (within four years 92%).

•

Average GPA for undergraduate RBS for the 2023-2024 academic year was a 3.62.

2024 RON BROWN SCHOLARS COLLEGE CHOICES

• Brown University (3)

• Clemson University (1)

• Columbia University (2)

• Dartmouth College (2)

• Duke University (5)

• Emory University (2)

• Georgia Institute of Technology (1)

• Harvard College (6)

• Howard University (1)

• Johns Hopkins University (1)

• Northwestern University (2)

• Pomona College (1)

• Princeton University (2)

• Rice University (2)

• Stanford University (2)

• UNC Chapel Hill (1)

• University of California - Berkeley (1)

• University of California - Davis (1)

• University of Chicago (1)

• University of Miami (1)

• University of Pennsylvania (5)

• University of Texas - Austin (1)

• Yale University (6)

AUGUST 2023 TO AUGUST 2024

SUMMARY OF RBSP PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

AUGUST 2023

• 08/03/2023 Legal Launch Reception

• 08/16/2023 Research Focus Group

• 08/16/2023 Breakfast with Christian Alexander

• 08/22/2023 Georgetown Lunch

• 08/23/2023 Open Q&A Hour: Consulting Internships

SEPTEMBER 2023

• 09/13/2023 Open Q&A Hour: Early Insights Programs in Finance

• 09/15/2023 Welcome Dinner organized by Ron Brown Scholars at Yale

• 09/18/2023 Full Tuition Programs for Graduate School

• 09/19/2023 Goldwater Scholarship in Science, Math & Engineering

• 09/20/2023 Q&A Hour: Truman, Rhodes & Mitchell Scholarships

• 09/21/2023 Schwarzman Scholars Program Info Session

• 09/21/2023 Lunch at UNC organized by Michelle Robinson

• 09/23/2023 Dinner with Adinawa Adjagbodjou

• 09/27/2023 Let’s Talk About Summer 2024 Internships

• 09/27/2023 Office Hours: Careers in Healthcare + Science Communications

OCTOBER 2023

• 10/09/2023 Lunch with Dartmouth Scholars

• 10/09/2023 Dinner with RB students at Williams

• 10/09/2023 Siemens facility tour Walpole (w/Holly—

not sure if this counts, but it was in service of getting kids jobs)

• 10/10/2023 One on Ones with Scholars in Boston

• 10/10/2023 Merck Reception Boston

• 10/11/2023 One on Ones and Group Dinner with Scholars at Brown

• 10/12/2023 One on Ones and Group Dinner with Scholars at Yale

• 10/16/2023 Plan your MCAT Study Timeline

• 10/23/2023 Leslie Turner Improv Show

• 10/24/2023 Unexpected Science and Health Careers

• 10/25/2023 Get to Know Jane Street!

NOVEMBER 2023

• 11/01/2023 NYC Reception at Accenture

• 11/02/2023 Scholar get-together with Kani Keita, Peter Boyce, Morgan Harper, John Piper (I think I’m remembering this right— it was in NYC around the board meeting. Others might’ve dropped in too)

• 11/11/2023 Friendsgiving in Atlanta hosted by Jason Young

• 11/21/2023 First Impression Resume Clinic, Class of 2027

• 11/28/2023 How to Give a Research Talk

DECEMBER 2023

• 12/03/2023 Boston Bowling Meet-up (organized by Madison Webb)

• 12/05/2023 Pre Law Info Session Dec 5

• 12/06/2023 Info Session for the 7TH Annual Strategy Competition

• 12/07/2023 Scholar Dinner in Philly (Davina Balemagna, Alicia Augustin, Miliani Smith)

• 12/07/2023 Info Session for 7th Annual Strategy Competition

• 12/09/2023 WashU-St Louis graduation of Christian Alexander

• 12/17/2023 Rams vs. Commanders Football Game in LA

• 12/20/2023 Preparing for Early 2025 Internship Recruiting

JANUARY 2024

• 01/08/2024 2024 Winter Strategy Competition

• 01/17/2024 Zoom Group Check-in with RBS 2021

• 01/18/2024 Zoom Group Check-in with RBS 2022

• 01/23/2024 Dinner with Aaliyah Williams

• 01/28/2024 UVA Scholar/Captain Sunday Brunch

• 01/30/2024 Introduction to Sales Trading & Research with Morgan Stanley

• 01/31/2024 Office Hours for Juniors and Sophomores: Natnal Endalkachew on Google

FEBRUARY 2024

• 02/12/2024 Zoom Group Check-in with RBS 2020

• 02/21/2024 Sophomore Mock Interview Clinic

• 02/22/2024 Legal Launch Info Session

• 02/26/2024 Morgan Stanley Institute for InclusionLet’s Talk Internships

MARCH 2024

• 03/22/2024 – 03/24/2024 Scholarship Selection Weekend

• 03/22/2024 American Journey Awards

APRIL 2024

• 04/05/2024 Business Case Workshop with Capital One

• 04/08/2024 2024 Summer Internships Information Session

• 04/10/2024 AAMC Virtual Medical School Fair

• 04/10/2024 Tech Case Workshop with Capital One

• 04/11/2024 Breakfast w/Josh Davis

• 04/17/2024 Ron Brown Captain Information Session #1

• 04/17/2024 Dinner with Aaliyah Williams

• 04/22/2024 Ron Brown Captain Information Session #2

• 04/22/2024 One on Ones and Dinner with Scholars at UNC, Duke, NC State

• 04/23/2024 Meet-up with Scholar at NC A&T

• 04/24/2024 Get to know Jane Street

• 04/30/2024 RBS Dinner in Boston

MAY 2024

• 05/01/2024 How to Ace Situational Judgement Tests (PreMed)

• 05/10/2024 Lunch w/ Josh Davis

• 05/19/2024 Zoom check-in with RBS 2020

JUNE 2024

• 06/11/2024 Stanford Grad Party (Janelle Baker, Journey Washingtonhigh, Yasmine Mbabane, Makenna Turner)

• 06/11/2024 Drinks w/ Kani Keita

• 06/21/2024 Alumni Mixer (Part of Leader’s Summit)

• 06/20/2024 2024 Legal Launch

• 06/19/2024 Ron Brown Leaders Summit

JULY 2024

• 07/31/2024 GS Possibilities Summits: Virtual Ask Me Anything Session

AUGUST 2024

• 08/01/2024 First Impression Resume Clinic Aug 2024

• 08/03/2024 Regional Meetups in Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Maryland, New York, San Francisco, Austin, Houston, Atlanta and Seattle

• 08/14/2024 Case Practice Session with Cornerstone Research

• 08/29/2024 AFROTECH Interest Meeting

RON BROWN SCHOLAR PODCAST SERIES NEW SEASON

THE VALUE OF ONE, THE POWER OF ALL

ARE YOU READY TO RUN FOR OFFICE?

It’s most wonderful time of the year - election season. On this episode, Ray Pryor (RBS ‘15) shares insights from conversations he had with Chaz Beasley (RBS ’04), Morgan Harper (RBS ’01), and Zachary Hall (RBS ‘11) on what it really takes to run for political office - emotionally, financially, professionally, socially, and more.

LEADING FROM THE THIRD BRANCH

The Presidential and Congressional elections get all the attention, but Morgan Harper (’01), Bradley Pough (RBS ’08), Kelsey Miller (RBS ’12), Azeezat Adeleke (RBS ’13), and several other Ron Brown Scholars are committed to ensuring the third branch does right by the American people, too. On this episode, Ray Pryor (RBS ‘15) shares insights from conversations he had with four Ron Brown Scholars on their legal careers in the public sector.

REIMAGINING GOVERNMENT THROUGH RESEARCH

It’s easy to think that experts have all the solutions to the country’s challenges, but we can’t agree or decide if and when to implement them. However, researchers like Dr. Andrea Headley (RBS ’10) who study the inner workings of police departments make it clear that we still have a long way to go until we know what the best solutions are, let alone until we are ready to embrace and implement them.

REIMAGINING GOVERNMENT THROUGH CONSULTING

Management consulting isn’t the first career path on the radar of most aspiring public servants. However, many Ron Brown Scholars committed to the greater good, including Bradley Pough (RBS ’08), Kelsey Miller (RBS ’12), Idris Mitchell (RBS ’14), Sean Means (RBS ’14), Andrew Moton (RBS ’15), and Michelle Osagie (RBS ’18), all found alignment and meaning through their work as consultants in Deloitte’s Government & Public Services (GPS) practice, led by Principal Brian Siegel (RBS Board of Trustees).

RON BROWN SCHOLAR ACHIEVEMENTS

BUILDING LEGACY THROUGH COMMUNITY: A RECAP OF THE 2024 AUGUST REGIONAL GATHERINGS

AHMED MUHAMMAD (RBS 2021) WAS FEATURED ON FOX 2 KTVU OAKLAND

Sharing the inspiring story behind his nonprofit, Kits Cubed. Ahmed is making waves in the Bay Area with his mission to make STEM education fun and accessible to all school aged children. Don’t miss out on the upcoming Kits Cubed STEM Fair on September 14th at Oakland Tech—it’s going to be an incredible day of science, innovation, and community!

Visit our website to watch the interview and learn more about Ahmed’s work with Kits Cubed. https://lnkd.in/ eHne26ZD

FOX 5 DC INTERVIEWED 2024 RON BROWN SCHOLAR GABRIELLE DEMUREN

Gabrielle is making waves with her summer initiative, “You Can Do It All,” a free sports clinic in the DMV area. Gabrielle and her siblings are empowering young athletes and giving back to their community before heading to Harvard University this fall. Watch her inspiring interview on Fox 5 DC’s “DMV Zone” and see how she’s making a difference! https://lnkd.in/ejH9R9kp

MARIAM KEITA NAMED 2024 RANGEL FELLOW

The Ron Brown Scholar Program proudly announces that Mariam Keita, RBS Class of 2020, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Rangel Fellowship. This significant achievement underscores Mariam’s dedication to international service and her commitment to making a positive impact on a global scale.

JASON BROWN (RBS 2019) INTERVIEWED BY HARVARD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

In a recent interview with the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Ron Brown Scholar Jason Brown shared his inspiring story of transitioning from the film industry to education and counseling. While pursuing studies in acting and creative writing at Brown University, Jason’s passion for the film industry led him to prestigious opportunities at Disney and WarnerMedia. However, amidst his success, Jason felt a calling to give back to the field of education.

Read his inteview in this article on Harvard Graduate School of Education: www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/news/24/02/why-imbecoming-school-counselor

COLIN WEBB TRIUMPHS IN TECH: SAUCE TECHNOLOGIES JOINS FORCES WITH VIRTUAL DINING CONCEPTS

In an influential move in the tech industry, Ron Brown Scholar alum Colin Webb, RBS 2014 has successfully steered his startup, Sauce Technologies, into a merger with Virtual Dining Concepts, giving birth to the new powerhouse, Linked Eats. Colin, founder of Sauce Technologies, embarked on a journey to transform the restaurant industry’s digital landscape by addressing one of its most pressing challenges: the need for e-commerce capabilities. Recognizing that restaurant owners struggled to adapt to a digital-first approach, Webb and his team developed Sauce Technologies to offer smart pricing solutions and digital automation to streamline restaurant operations. https://www.linkedeats.io/

RON BROWN VENTURE LAB

Ron Brown Venture Lab (RBVL) is dedicated to supporting young entrepreneurs who are Ron Brown Scholars, Captains, and Alumni. Recognizing Black founders’ unique challenges in securing essential resources, RBVL serves as a funder and accelerator. Our program provides these talented individuals with the social, human, and financial capital needed to launch and scale their entrepreneurial ventures, ensuring they have the support necessary to thrive and succeed. https://ronbrown.org/ron-brown-ventures/

OFFICE RELOCATION

The Ron Brown Scholar Program offices moved after more than 27 years into new space located at: 2410 Old Ivy Road, Suite 200 Charlottesville, VA 22903

2024 NEW STAFF

MICHELLE PACKER

CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER AND VICE PRESIDENT

Michelle is an accomplished fundraising strategist with over two decades of extensive experience and key leadership roles in advancement. She spent nearly fifteen years at the University of Virginia, and as Director of Development, making extraordinary contributions to advancement. In particular, she contributed to the success of the university’s needbased scholarship program, the first fundraising initiative of its kind at UVA. Her deep experience securing funds to support less resourced students is a tremendous asset to our Program. For the last four years, Michelle served as Chief Development Officer at the University of Maryland where she helped to transform the culture of philanthropy by recruiting and engaging leadership volunteers and board members and developed strategies to increase engagement of alumni both domestically and abroad. Again, important skills for the Ron Brown Scholar Program. Michelle received a BS in Finance from Hampton University and completed the Executive Program (TEP) at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.

JENNIFER TAL RECEPTIONIST / ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Jennifer Tal joins the RBSP staff from the Piedmont Housing Alliance. She is a graduate of Mary Baldwin University with a B.A. in Sociology.

RON BROWN ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS

SARAH LABRIE is a TV writer, memoirist and librettist. She was most recently a producer on the HBO and Starz television show, Minx. She has also written on Blindspotting (Starz), Made for Love (HBO MAX), and Love, Victor (Hulu/Disney). Her libretti have been performed at Walt Disney Concert Hall with music written by Pulitzer-prize winning composer Ellen Reid. Her fiction also appears in Guernica, The Literary Review, and the Los Angeles Review of Books. Her first book, a memoir entitled No One Gets to Fall Apart, will be published by HarperCollins this fall. Most recently, Sarah was nominated for Best Television Comedy Script at the 2024 Women’s Image Network Awards for her episode of Blindspotting, By Hook or By Crook

ALEXANDRA SAILSMAN is a materials scientist and process engineer. She has worked in industries ranging from nanotech to food science and, oddly enough, has taken part in both rocket science and brain surgery. She has over a decade of experience working with composite materials for aerospace, defense, and semiconductor applications. In 2016, she bought a fixer-upper house, much of which she gutted and rebuilt herself. This fall she will begin her doctorate in Engineering at Villanova University.

Alexandra spends her free time thinking about sustainable housing, what makes interiors welcoming and inclusive, science fiction, and how to make the best mac and cheese. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, cat, and two daughters whom she is raising to be Good Trouble.

MILES JOHNSON is a lover of plants and people with a loud easy laugh and a tendency to get lost in books. He grew up in Oakland, CA, lives in New York City, and sorts out his thinking through writing. Miles is the head of Belonging Strategy and Brand at Google, where he drives forward Google’s work to build an accessible world where everyone can belong. An evolution of Google’s long standing DEI efforts, Miles and his team lead a holistic company strategy to build belonging where Google can have the greatest impact: at work, in products, and in society through internal activations, product marketing, brand storytelling and partnerships, and industry engagement. This is a global effort, and focuses on tackling barriers and spreading joy across key issues like racial equity, disability inclusion, gender equity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and veteran inclusion. As part of this work, Miles leads Google’s Inclusive Marketing efforts, where he helps Google and the advertising industry share creative work that authentically reflects the diversity of our world. Before his current role, Miles spent many years launching products and leading Brand Strategy at Google, where he shaped Google’s story on sustainability, health, philanthropy, and computer science education.

Mostly though, Miles wakes up every morning feeling that much luckier to be able to work on getting us all closer to a world where no one is left out and we all have what we need to thrive.

AS OF 08/31/2024

RALES FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE

(ALLIANCE BERNSTEIN)

The only position currently held in the account with Alliance Bernstein is the AB Government Money Market portfolio. The last time we sent this information, we included data on two US Treasury Bills that matured in 2023, the cash proceeds of which were reinvested in the AB Government Money Market Portfolio upon maturity.

The below summary includes withdrawals of $1,500,000 in 2024.

RALES FOUNDATION | EARNINGS SUMMARY

AB Government Money Market Fund

• Inception date: 05/9/2023

• Starting Value (May 2023): $1,293,094

• Total Earnings: $121,669

• Net withdrawals: ($977,000)

• Market Value (as of 8/31/24): $437,763

• Current Yield (as of 8/31/24): 5.07%

REPORT

HIGHLIGHTS

GUIDED PATHWAY SUPPORT PROGRAM IMPACT REPORT

The pathway to college is not straight and narrow; it is fraught with curves and hills, even for high school students who have the networks, advisory supports, and financial means to navigate this complex process.

For African American high school students, the pathway to college became more challenging during the past academic year. College and universities are grappling with how to diversify their campuses in light of the United State Supreme Court’s ban on race conscious college admissions. Moreover, according to The Washington Post, nearly 50 universities have ended or restructured at least $45 million in raceconscious scholarships. Also, an increasing number of colleges have reimposed standardized exam requirements for admission.

SERVING MORE STUDENTS

During the 23-24 academic year, GPS served its largest class of students in its history, providing college counseling services to 1,349 African American high school seniors graduating in the Class of 2024. Of these students, 56 percent were eligible for free and reduced lunch while 23 percent were first generation college students.

Yet GPS remains steadfast as one of the country’s few FREE college access programs that counsels African American high school students without regard to geography, income, standardized exam scores, or high GPA participation thresholds.

MORE FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS

Being accepted to college is only part of the admissions journey; financing a college education remains an intractable barrier for many African American high school students. Though our tallies are incomplete, GPS estimates that it has helped African American high school students to secure at least $80,637,480 in financial aid and scholarships since the 2016-2017 cycle.

LAUNCHING THE RON BROWN SCHOLAR ADVISORY CORPS

To adequately counsel its largest class ever, the Guided Pathway Support Program launched and trained more college advisors than ever. During the 2023-2024 academic year, GPS empaneled the Ron Brown Scholar Advisory Corps, 37 Ron Brown Scholar and GPS alumni who understand first-hand the lived experiences and challenges of African American high school students navigating the college and scholarship application process.

NEW EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

During the 2023-24 academic year, GPS is excited to welcome Williams College, Tufts University, and Georgetown Univerisyt’s McCourt School of Public Policy as its newest Educational Partners, sharing our commitment to equity and inclusion in college admissions and bringing the total number of GPS college partners to 17 universities and the College Board.

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

CELEBRATING BREAKTHROUGHS, INSPIRING PROGRESS,

CELEBRATE OUR SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES, BREAKTHROUGH PROJECTS, AND OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS THAT HAVE PROPELLED OUR ORGANIZATION FORWARD.

48.2%

STUDENT GROWTH

6,801

STUDENTS SERVED TO DATE

$80.6M

ESTIMATED FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO DATE

COLLEGE PARTNERS

7,627

VIRTUAL IMPRESSIONS DURING SUMMER 2024

37 RBS ADVISORS TRAINED

856

MONTHLY AVERAGE USERS DURING SUMMER 2024

2,879

STUDENT COUNSEING SESSIONS SINCE FEB. 2022

ABOUT GPS

CONNECTING AFRICAN AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO COLLEGE AND LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

WHAT WE DO

The Guided Pathway Support Program (GPS) is a free, innovative college access initiative for African American high school juniors and seniors. Our high-tech, hightouch approach provides students the mentorship, information, and inspiration they need to make college accessible.

GPS engages students through its Meta Workplace platform, which mimics Facebook but functions like a pre-professional LinkedIn.

HOW WE DO IT

• College Counseling, usually with a Ron Brown Scholar, Captain or GPS Alumni

• Information About Scholarship, Academic & Leadership Programs

• College & Scholarship Virtual Events

• Access to GPS Educational Partners

• Legal Services

• Free SAT/ACT Prep Services

GPS EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

GPS partnerships offer a multitude of benefits to our students. Partner institutions promote admissions and open house events, share targeted information about their universities, answer student questions, coordinate campus visits, and receive applicant updates. This direct line of communication demystifies the college application process and allows students to make more informed decisions about their higher education aspirations and goals.

This diverse array of partners includes Ivy League

OUR PARTNERS

institutions, liberal arts colleges, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and renowned research universities. By connecting GPS students with these institutions, the program opens doors to a wide range of academic possibilities and career pathways. Our partnerships underscore our commitment to providing students with access to top-tier educational opportunities. Through these connections, the program continues to bridge gaps in college access and empower the next generation of leaders.

GPS STUDENT VOICES

GAELLE VALMIR

My senior year was transformed by becoming a GPS Navigator. The program went far beyond being a resource for college applications. It became a supportive community where I could ask any question and receive personalized guidance from people genuinely invested in my success. This sense of community extended beyond applications.

GPS opened doors to scholarships I wouldn’t have found otherwise, such as the Ron Brown Scholar Program. Knowing the organization had my back, from offering scholarship opportunities to reviewing essays, gave me the confidence to apply to a wider range of scholarships.

NUMBER OF GPS STUDENTS SERVED

TO DATE, GPS HAS HELPED

6,801

AFRICAN AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS NAVIGATE THEIR PATHS TO COLLEGE

During the 2023-24 college admission cycle, GPS counseled 2,894 African American high schools students graduating high school between 2023 and 2026. This represents almost 60 percent of our goal to scale to serve 5,000 students by the 2027-2028 academic year.

GUIDED PATHWAY SUPPORT PROGRAM

58% OF GOAL TO SERVE 5,000 STUDENTS BY 2027-2028

VIRTUAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT METRICS

META PLATFORM ANALYTICS

As a virtual college access community, the Guided Pathway Support Program relies on analytics provided by global social media partner Meta to measure platform engagement. These metrics demonstrate the average number of students logging in to our community each month, user engagement, and virtual community interaction during summer 2024.

856

MONTHLY AVERAGE USERS

(JULY 2024)

MOST ENGAGED USERS

(LOGGED IN TO PLATFORM AT LEAST 10 OF LAST 28 DAYS)

7,627

120

TOTAL IMPRESSIONS IN 2024 (POSTS, COMMENTS, REACTIONS & MESSAGES)

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING SESSIONS REQUESTED

206

GPS DIRECT SERVICES

GPS

DIRECT SERVICES

COUNSELING SESSIONS 8/1/23 TO 8/5/24

Counseling Sessions 8/1/23 to 8/5/24

Other includes help with financial aid appeals, fee waivers, mock interviews, high school course selection, test prep strategy, and fly in program searches.

OTHER INCLUDES HELP WITH FINANCIAL AID APPEALS, FEE WAIVERS, MOCK INTERVIEWS, HIGH SCHOOL COURSE SELECTION, TEST PREP STRATEGY, AND FLY IN PROGRAM SEARCHES.

During the first year of the grant term, GPS provided 957 counseling sessions with a Ron Brown Scholar or GPS Advisor, excluding volunteer peer support through the GPS platform.

DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF THE GRANT TERM, GPS PROVIDED 957 COUNSELING SESSIONS WITH A RON BROWN SCHOLAR OR GPS ADVISOR, EXCLUDING VOLUNTEER PEER SUPPORT THROUGH THE GPS PLATFORM.

MOST REQUESTED STUDENT HELP AREAS

• Statements & Essays (43%)

MOST REQUESTED STUDENT HELP AREAS

Statements & Essays (43%)

General & Initial Counseling Sessions (12%)

• General & Initial Counseling Sessions (12%)

• General College & Scholarship Application Help (9.6%)

• Opportunity Searches & Nominations (9.5 %)

General College & Scholarship Application Help (9.6%)

Opportunity Searches & Nominations (9.5 %)

GPS DIRECT SERVICES

GPS helps African American high school students overcome the college opportunity gap through a combination of individual college counseling and connections to a supportive virtual peer community.

GPS HELPS AFRICAN AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OVERCOME THE COLLEGE OPPORTUNITY GAP THROUGH A COMBINATION OF INDIVIDUAL COLLEGE COUNSELING AND CONNECTIONS TO A SUPPORTIVE VIRTUAL PEER COMMUNITY.

GPS helps African American high school students overcome the college opportunity gap through a combination of individual college counseling and c

932 Sessions

695 Sessions 1,252 Sessions

SCALING STRATEGIES

DURING THE PAST YEAR, GPS INCREASED THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS SERVED BY 48.2% OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

HOW WE DID IT

STRATEGY #01: USE OF COLLEGE BOARD STUDENT SEARCH SERVICE

STRATEGY #02: MORE DIRECT MAIL

Leveraging our partnership with the College Board, GPS has increased the number of students targetted through the College Board’s Student Search Service.

GPS targeted more families by increasing the number of direct mail and email campaigns to identify prospective students.

STRATEGY #03: BUILD SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE

STRATEGY #04: APPLICATIONS TRANSFERS FROM RON BROWN SCHOLARSHIP TO GPS

The Ron Brown Scholar Program hired a new communications director, who developed a social media presence for GPS for the first time in program history.

Candidates for the 2024 Ron Brown scholarship who opted in were automatically enrolled in the Guided Pathway Support Program.

THE VALUE OF GPS SERVICES

The cost of college remains an intractable barrier for many students that includes not only ever-increasing tuition rates but also the many costs associated with applying to college.

Since its inception, the Guided Pathway Support Program has provided counseling services for FREE to African American high school students, without regard for income, geography, or test scores.

In its 2024 IEC Pricing Survey Results, College Planner Pro estimates that independent education consultants charged an average of $5,838 per student for bundled counseling services, which covers tasks such as essay reviews, college list-building, and help with financial aid applications.

For the Class of 2024, our largest yet, GPS provided counseling services with a

$ 7.87M+

market value, based on the IEC Pricing Survey Results, for FREE during the first year of its grant term.

GPS STUDENT VOICES

CHIDALU EMYMUNONYE

GPS CLASS OF 2024

“

I constantly recommend GPS to friends, peers, really anyone that will listen. The program has done so much for me beyond just introducing me to the Ron Brown scholarship. The first scholarship I ever won was $2000 my junior year of high school. The only reason I ever knew about it was because a senior posted it on GPS encouraging younger scholars to apply. Throughout the process of college applications, GPS was place of constant support and guidance.

I can not account the amount of people who looked over my essays from GPS students and adults alike. It got to the point where I would post whatever Ivy League application was due the next day on GPS for last minute feedback. I even brought up GPS in my Ron Brown interview, talking about how the Ron Brown program had already given me so much before I had ever become a scholar. All in all, I am so grateful to programs like GPS which give young high achieving students of color the support we need.

“

2024 GENERAL CATALYST X GPS SUMMER EXTERNSHIP

GPS’S UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP WITH ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP VENTURE CAPITAL FIRMS

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

The Guided Pathway Support Program has enjoyed a yearslong relationship with global venture capital firm General Catalyst. Through this collaboration, dozens of GPS students have been invited to explore what it takes to run a top VC firm, tech startup or social enterprise.

This completely virtual opportunity puts rising high school seniors and rising college freshmen in the (Zoom) room with top executives from General Catalyst during a weeklong virtual externship. From financing to public relations, externs hear from top executives about their roles and career paths. This includes hearing from Ken Chenault, GC’s current Chairman.

GPS high school externs are then invited to apply for undergraduate internships with General Catalyst and their portfolio companies after they have matriculated to college.

EXTERNSHIP TOPIC HIGHLIGHTS

• Strategic Investing Philosophy

• Investor Relations 101

• Support for Startup Founders

• How a Fund Operates

• Breaking into VC

• Building Your Personal Brand

2024

SUMMER EXTERNSHIP

GENERAL CATALYST X GPS SUMMER EXTERNSHIP

The GC x GPS Summer Externship generates a tremendous amount of student interest each year. Meet the six outstanding aspiring social entrepreneurs chosen to participate this summer.

Abibat AkinyeleYusifu

New York, NY

AKINYELEYUSIFU

New York, NY

NEW YORK, NY

New York University

GPS Class of 2024

New York University

GPS Class of 2024

New York University

GPS Class of 2024

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

GPS Class of 2024

GPS CLASS OF 2024

JIHAD EL-AMIN

HUNTSVILLE, AL

Mason Bourne

New York, NY

MASON BOURNE

Mason Bourne

New York, NY

NEW YORK, NY

New York, NY

Morehouse College

GPS Class of 2024

MOREHOUSE COLLEGE

Morehouse College

GPS Class of 2024 Jihad El-Amin Huntsville, AL

GPS Class of 2024

GPS CLASS OF 2024

GPS Class of 2024

Nadia Duah

NADIA DUAH

Nadia Duah

Columbus, GA

Nadia Duah

Columbus, GA

COLUMBUS, GA

Columbus, GA

University of Pennsylvania

GPS Class of 2024

University of Pennsylvania

GPS Class of 2024

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA GPS CLASS OF 2024

GPS Class of 2024

University of Virginia GPS Class of 2024 Jihad El-Amin Huntsville, AL

GPS Class of 2024 Jihad El-Amin Huntsville, AL

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

GPS CLASS OF 2024

CALEB JOEL

CHARLOTTE, NC

PROVIDENCE DAY SCHOOL

University of Virginia

Huntsville,

University

GPS Class Jihad Huntsville,

GPS Class Jihad

University

GPS Class Jihad

GPS Class of 2025 Caleb Joel Charlotte, NC

Providence Day School

GPS CLASS OF 2025

GPS Class of 2025 Caleb Joel Charlotte, NC

Providence Day School

GPS Class of 2025 Caleb Joel Charlotte, NC

ELIZABETH ONAFUWA

Providence Day School

Dundalk, MD

DUNDALK, MD

GPS Class Caleb Charlotte,

Providence

GPS Class Caleb Charlotte,

Dundalk High School

Elizabeth Onafuwa Dundalk, MD

Dundalk High School

DUNDALK HIGH SCHOOL

GPS Class of 2025

GPS CLASS OF 2025

GPS Class Elizabeth Dundalk,

Dundalk

GPS Class of 2025 Elizabeth Onafuwa

GPS Class Elizabeth Dundalk,

CORNELL PRECOLLEGE SUMMER PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS

GPS NAVIGATORS

CORNELL COURSES

GPS NAVIGATORS

CORNELL COURSES

For the past two summers, GPS has partnered with Cornell’s Precollege Summer Program to offer GPS Navigators full scholarships to take credit-bearing summer courses before their senior year of high school. Participants get college credit and a Cornell transcript; instruction from top Ivy League faculty; and the opportunity to experience College academics firsthand.

For the past two summers, GPS has partnered with Cornell’s Precollege Summer to offer GPS Navigators full scholarships to take credit-bearing summer courses their senior year of high school. Participants get college credit and a Cornell transcript; instruction from top Ivy League faculty; and the opportunity to experience College academics firsthand.

FULL TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS

Summer courses are priced at$1750 per credit hours. Because of GPS’s partnership with Cornell, GPS Navigators secured over$52,000 in scholarships.

ONLINE ACCESSIBILITY

Full Tuition Scholarships

GPS Navigators from eight different states were able to access this program because it was offered online.

COLLEGE CREDIT

Collectively, GPS students earned 30 college credits through their completed coursework.

Summer courses are priced at $1750 per credit hours. Because of GPS’s partnership with Cornell, GPS Navigators secured over$52,000 in scholarships.

EXPANSIVE COURSE OPTIONS

College Credit

Collectively, GPS students earned 30 college credits through their completed coursework.

GPS Navigators selected for the Precollege Program can study topics of interest--from emerging markets to sports film-that aren’t available to them at their high school.

2024 NAVIGATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

CELEBRATING THE MOST DEDICATED GPS NAVIGATORS

The Navigator of the Year Award is a $1,000 scholarship granted to graduating GPS Navigators. The selection committee evaluate applications based on three criteria: academic excellence, community/ extracurricular involvement, and commitment to the GPS Program.

Because the goal of GPS is to create a community of student leaders—in addition to providing comprehensive college-readiness resources—the selection process favors students who have shown

ERRONN B.

dedication to the GPS program through their engagement.

The application also affords students the opportunity to reflect on their time in the program and to share how GPS has affected their college application journey. This year, eight students were recipients of the Navigator of the Year Award.

HERE’S WHAT SOME OF THIS YEAR’S AWARDEES HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

“THE GUIDED PATHWAY SUPPORT PROGRAM WASN’T JUST A SPRINGBOARD TO COLLEGE; IT WAS A LAUNCHPAD TOWARD A BRIGHTER FUTURE.”

“FROM HAVING A GROUP THAT CONGRATULATES ONE ANOTHER THROUGH OUR POSTS

TO HAVING PEOPLE

WILLING TO GIVE MY ESSAYS FEEDBACK ...

THE SUPPORT I

HAVE

RECEIVED FROM GPS IS UNMATCHED.”

“THE PROGRAM HELPED WITH MY COLLEGE SELECTION BY HELPING ME UNDERSTAND THAT THE SCHOOL I SELECT NEEDS TO HAVE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.”

GPS PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

GPS SAT & ACT PREP

Two years ago, amidst the widespread uncertainty about the future use of standardized tests in college admissions, GPS made a bold investment with Princeton Review to ensure every GPS student received access to quality prep for the SAT and the ACT - for free. Since then, over 500 students have requested and received access, and as a result of an improved onboarding experience and better communication to students and parents about the value of the service, we’ve seen a 20% increase in student adoption on the platform.

Since then, over 500 students have requested and received access, and as a result of an improved onboarding experience and better communication to students and parents about the value of the service, we’ve seen a 20% increase in student adoption on the platform.

Of the initial $50,000 donation to fund free access to Princeton Review test prep resources for all accepted GPS students, $25,000 remains available to fund future student accounts as of August 2024.

EDFUNDERS CONFERENCE

• Bridging the Gap: We address the critical disparity between counselor availability and student needs, especially in underserved communities. GPS PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

Grantmakers for Education, affectionately known as Edfunders, is a member-driven organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for student success. This year, the Guided Pathway Support Program has been invited to present a 45-minute session showcasing how our efforts create a significant impact that advances educational equity.

Amidst this gathering of influential voices in education philanthropy, GPS will demonstrate how focused, community-driven efforts consistently move the needle forward.

OUR PRESENTATION WILL HIGHLIGHT OUR:

• Student-Centered Approach: We recognize the intrinsic value of each student, moving beyond viewing them as mere statistics.

• Community Engagement: By leveraging talented Ron Brown Scholars as advisors, we create a supportive network for underrepresented high school students.

• Comprehensive Support: Our program provides crucial guidance on college applications, essays, resume development, and scholarship opportunities.

GUIDED PATHWAY SUPPORT PROGRAM | Page 26

GPS STUDENT VOICES

ERRONN BRIDGEWATER

GPS & RON BROWN CAPTAIN CLASS OF 2024

The Guided Pathway Support Program wasn’t just a springboard to college; it was a launchpad toward a brighter future. As a pioneer of my high school’s first graduating class, my resources for the application process were limited at best and scarce at worst. However, by enrolling in this free program, I had connections to a reliable virtual community that empowered me to reach my full potential.

At the end of my journey, I committed to New York University for Applied Physics. Despite its reputation for being costly, I am fortunate to have been awarded a fullride Gates Scholarship to cover all my undergraduate educational expenses. Additionally, I am honored to have been selected as a Ron Brown Captain, which not only provides me with invaluable networking opportunities but also grants access to potential internships with esteemed companies like Google and Goldman Sachs.

“

GPS CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES

GPS WILL MOVE TO THE CIRCLE PLATFORM IN 2026

Global social media giant and GPS partner Meta has announced that beginning in 2026, it will no longer service its Workplace platforms globally forcing all Workplace communities to find new virtual homes.

TRANSITION TO CIRCLE

The Guided Pathway Support Program will transition to a new platform, Circle, a virtual community host which operates similarly to the Workplace platform. However, GPS must incur a new ongoing operating expense to re-home our community to this new platform.

NEW PROGRAM MODEL

GPS is currently exploring a new program model to cover the new operating expenses associated with a platform move, includin:

• a subscription-based service fee for access to direct services from a GPS advisor

• developing new skills-based partnerships with corporate sponsors, similar to the General Catalyst externship;

• making GPS admission more selective to attract corporate sponsors.

RBS ADVISORY CORPS - SUMMER 2024

MEET THE TEAM RBS ADVISORY CORPS

The RBS Advisory Corps is a new initiative leveraging the expertise of our talented Ron Brown Scholars. These accomplished individuals are now serving as advisors to GPS students, providing invaluable guidance by sharing their experiences and insights. Our Scholars are helping to demystify the college admissions process and open doors for the next wave of aspiring students.

JOSIE FRANCOIS RBS 2013

Josie Francois - RBS 2013

Josie Francois graduated from Harvard College in 2017, where she majored in Chemistry and minored in French and Economics. She went on to earn an MD from Harvard Medical School in 2022 and an MPH from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in 2021. She is currently a third-year psychiatry resident at Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School Psychiatry Residency Residency Training Program.

Josie Francois graduated from Harvard College in 2017, where she majored in Chemistry and minored in French and Economics. She went on to earn an MD from Harvard Medical School in 2022 and an MPH from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in 2021. She is currently a third-year psychiatry resident at Brigham and Women’s Hospital Harvard Medical School Psychiatry Residency Residency Training Program.

Michael Brown - RBS 2018

Michael Brown - RBS

MICHAEL BROWN RBS 2018

2018

Michael Brown - RBS 2018

Micheal Brown was born and raised in Houston, TX, and attended Stanford University. In 2023, they graduated with an African and African American Studies degree with honors and a minor in Political Science. In addition to serving as a part-time consultant for GPS, they are currently working as a high school English teacher in the Houston ISD.

Micheal Brown was born and raised in Houston, TX, and attended Stanford University. In 2023, they graduated with an African and African American Studies degree with honors and a minor in Political Science. In addition to serving as a parttime consultant for GPS, they are currently working as a high school English teacher in the Houston ISD.

DivineAsia Miller RBS 2015

DIVINEASIA MILLER RBS 2015

DivineAsia Miller RBS 2015

DivineAsia is a doctoral student in Psychology. Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, she loves working with college students and helping them discover the internal strengths that will serve them through the college process and their careers. She's currently living in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and enjoys fiction writing, video games, and trying new food.

DivineAsia is a doctoral student in Psychology. Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, she loves working with college students and helping them discover the internal strengths that will serve them through the college process and their careers. She’s currently living in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and enjoys fiction writing, video games, and trying new food.

Akweley Lartey - RBS 2018

Akweley

AKWELEY LARTEY RBS 2018

Lartey - RBS 2018

Akweley Lartey - RBS 2018

Akweley Mazarae Lartey is a graduate of Yale University with a Bachelor’s in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and a certificate in Education Studies. Originally from the Greater Philadelphia Area, Akweley is currently a first-year student at the University of California, Berkeley’s African Diaspora Studies PhD program studying the intersections of kinship, gender, and storytelling in Ghana and the Black Diaspora.