annual report FISCAL YEAR 2018

Photo by Kenneth White, Jr., Class of 2018 BRYC’s Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Report was written by the Fellows — because there will be nothing about us without us. 4 5 6 7 8 18 fellow letter about us c/o 2 0 1 8 i m pact finances features First Four-Year Fellows. Snapshots. HBCUS. College Fellows. Alumni. community Team. Board of Directors. VIPS. Guardians. Partners. Supporters. Friends. By: Ja’Colby Freeman, Class of 2019

t all began with Mrs. Flowers informing my mother about BRYC after I8th grade. I had no clue what I was stepping into when I applied. My f rst year was pure enlightenment; I began to realize just how important my decisions would become in high school. I came into the program with a stubborn mindset, a know-it-all attitude, all while remaining introverted. My f rst weeks I discovered I would be learning a lot, and that I would have to open up and engage with the community BRYC fosters. I discovered it was a safe place, one that allowed me to get to know things I couldn’t understand about people who weren’t like me — and vice versa.

What makes BRYC special is not its resources for students like me; it’s what they teach us to do with them. They teach us to self-advocate, by far my most important BRYC lesson. For me, that means putting myself out there, building relationships in and outside of the organization. It means being okay with not knowing and asking questions when I don’t. That’s been especially true during the college process, which has presented so many things I thought I understood but didn’t have a clue about. Self-advocacy means telling my story, being proud even of the most bitter parts of my past so I could welcome a better future. All of this has been scary, but that’s what BRYC does: pushes Fellows to embrace fear as opportunity. The result? I’ve been exposed to a more colorful world. I’ve also been inspired by BRYC’s altruism to share the knowledge and skills it has imparted to me with non-BRYC peers. After all, the need BRYC addresses extends far beyond its walls.

BRYC is well-known for ACT prep, college support, and programs about leadership. It’s so much more. In my weakest moments, there was a family for me at BRYC, a support system that uplifted and pushed me toward relentless growth. From academics, to service, to performing arts, BRYC was and still is there for all of it, helping turn my raw potential into endless possibilities. I look back on my four years with gratitude for the place I’ve maximized my wingspan. Now I’m ready to f y.

4 Photo by Christian Riley, Class of 2018 CORE PURPOSE: CHOICE Encouraging our Fellows and Team to make empowering choices that will lead to the choices they want in their lives

CORE COMPETENCIES College • Personalized admissions, fnancial aid, matriculation, and college persistence support • Standardized test preparation and development of self- regulated learning skills

Consciousness • Honing of verbal communication and critical thinking skills through analysis of social issues • Training to craft effective personal statements for college and scholarship applications

Community • Ever-growing network of resources and relationships — and coaching on effective self-advocacy • Empowering support system of motivated youth and caring, highly-qualifed adults

CORE VALUES Our Core Values express what matters most to us, each with a hand symbol for easy recall and, well, fun. Beneath them are “Empowering Choices,” the specifc ways BRYC Community ABOUT US members live out our values daily. Hustle: Go Hard • Master the material HISTORY • Invest in passions BRYC was founded in 2009 when Daniel Kahn, then a high school teacher, • Plan and execute recognized that a lack of resources would preclude even his highest-achieving students from the college success they were capable of realizing. Integrity: Be Just • Know what’s going on NEED • Represent yourself proudly There are many driven students in our region’s public high schools who, with the • Honor your values proper tools, would access the postsecondary opportunities they deserve and need in order to be economically mobile. But, they lack support at a pivotal time Community: Maximize BRYC in their scholastic and personal journeys. There is a widely-held misconception • Love one another that students who perform well academically and follow the rules will certainly • Show up for BRYC realize college success. This assumption generally holds true for students from • Seize opportunities educated, affuent families, but it underestimates resource gaps that cause nine of every ten low-income students who enter four-year college to drop out — and many not to apply at all. LANGUAGE MATTERS • CF/A: College Fellows (in college) and Alumni (graduated) MISSION • Fellows: our amazing high school students The Baton Rouge Youth Coalition prepares high-achieving, under-resourced high • Guardians: Fellows’ parents and guardians school students to enter, excel in, and graduate from college so they can become • Team: passionate adults who work at BRYC full participants in society. • VIPs: our dedicated volunteers

VISION Provide our Fellows the best college-preparatory resources money can buy – for free. 5 f

class of 2018 impact BRYC’S LARGEST CLASS TO DATE: 83 Senior fellows

College ACT matriculation PERFORMANCE 95% Attending 4-year institutions 2.3 Avg Senior Fellow growth while in BRYC

5% Attending 2-year institutions 18.8 EBR Parish School System 22.5 36 BRYC PERFECT Scholarships SCORE earned 19.5 State 8.3M Collective gift aid offered 21 3.5M Collective gift aid redeemed National

42% Attending college debt-free

6 f finances

ou have to spend money to make money - clichéd and so true. Fiscal Year Y2018 was about capacity building, which required a signif cant front- end investment. Most notably we added three full-time positions. A deeper BRYC signifi cantly enhanced all facets bench, while more expensive initially, has led to increased programmatic of internal controls and reporting and administrative effectiveness and, in the long term, f nancial eff ciency. during FY18. Financial integrity was improved through increased staff Thanks to the addition of Associate Director of College Programs Chelsea specialization and board involvement Werner, BRYC served 83 Senior Fellows in FY18, compared to 51 the year in expense approval, and the reporting prior. Director of Development and Communication Leigh Phillips assumed cycle was reduced from 40 to 15 days. all donor management responsibilities, freeing Executive Director Lucas - Kevin Knobloch, Spielfogel to focus on major gifts to ensure BRYC’s long-term f nancial Board Treasurer future. Finally, Managing Director of Community Programs Joshua Howard launched our f rst formal suite of post-high school supports while codifying BRYC’s “Community Model,” our best impression of a residential college system. Strategic investments in highly-qualif ed staff, our most valuable resource, has born fruit evident in this annual report and which you will see in communication in the months and years to come!

revenue 38% 41% Individual Foundation $840,025 *BRYC leveraged an additional $200,000+ in in-kind contributions.

20% 1% Corporate Earned

9% EXPENSES Occupancy $920,338 *BRYC’s Form 990 and annual f nancial review / audit are available upon request. 19% 72% Administrative Program

7 jamarcus 2018 persistence hbcu hustle madison legacy spelman community bea lsu stem first gen college fellows mentors ULL alumni gates southern amanda four-years rhodes the howard five questbridge EMMA snapshots garrinecia integrity grinnell tyler brcc morehouse southeastern trailblazers full participants in society features LEGACY RINGS At the 2018 Fellowship Banquet, BRYC introduced a new tradition, A LEGACY OF “legacy rings,” to honor our first official group of four-year Fellows. We hope these rings forever remind four-years of our appreciation LEADERSHIP for their long-term commitment to and impact on BRYC.

By: Lucas Spielfogel hen I met our first official class of Freshmen Fellows in the fall of 2014, WI remember thinking they were so young, that it would be an eternity before I wished them good luck in college. A blink and four years later, the group that exemplified BRYC Fellowship has matriculated to colleges across the state and nation. CENTENARY COLLEGE OF LOUISIANA This powerhouse of a cohort entered BRYC at a time when I was rethinking Shreveport, LA what the organization should mean to its young people. As we grew, that year to 100 Fellows, I wondered how we would be able to serve more and more Markayla Collins youth while maintaining the intimate sense of community which was lauded as BRYC’s secret sauce. The answer was Fellow engagement. Our youth had to LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE own BRYC, and these bold freshmen were fit to lead that charge. Baton Rouge, LA The original members of the Class of 2018 embodied the Empowering Choice Deventria Curtis, Nyah Johnson, Rodney Nganga “show up for BRYC.” Programs, parties, trips, special initiatives, it didn’t matter. They were present in full force and vocal about their peers’ needing to do the same — to be proud of being Fellows, contribute as least as much as NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY you reap, and leave BRYC in better shape than you found it. They did that and Greensboro, NC then some. Theirs is a legacy of leadership. Andrea Loyd

RHODES COLLEGE Memphis, TN Garrinecia Singleton

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE Baton Rouge, LA Katelyn Guillory

TULANE UNIVERSITY New Orleans, LA Nelly Bruce

UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE Lafayette, LA Our first four-years gave us the confidence to see BRYC as a community Zhane Harris, Imani McCullam, Jeanne Smith whose collective impact is far greater than the sum of its college-preparatory resources. Rather its power is its people — its young people most of all. It’s fitting we would send these leaders off as we prepare to celebrate our 10-year UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI anniversary. Their tenure defined BRYC and will inform our next decade. We Coral Gables, FL are grateful for them and don’t doubt what their influence will be in college Shayla Hastings and beyond. 9 RAPID-FIRE UPDATES ON OUR SNAPSHOTS COLLEGE FELLOWS AND ALUMNI Obuchi Adikema Brianna Hawkins This Grinnell sophomore and computer Even after the Great Flood displaced her at science and theatre double major spent the start of 12th grade, this Southeastern summer 2018 as a researcher for Digital Louisiana University sophomore and Bridges for Humanistic Inquiry, a three- communication major is excelling. She year initiative funded by the Andrew W. spent freshman year writing for The Lion’s Mellon Foundation and focused on the Roar Newspaper and was recognized by development of digital tools and methods Southeastern’s Residence Hall Association to strengthen teaching and research in the for a 3.5+ GPA during her frst semester. humanities.

Jordan Brumfeld Darrell Moses This LSU senior is majoring in information This Southern junior and mechanical systems and design — with a focus on engineering major spent summer 2018 information technology — and will graduate in Ghana designing an inexpensive, in May 2019 with an eye toward full-time energy-effcient water system to reduce cyber security jobs. Meanwhile he’s active excess fuoride in local drinking water. in Delta Sigma Pi, an LSU business school Darrell’s currently training to become the fraternity that helps its members connect next president of the American Society of with professional opportunities. Mechanical Engineers and, like Kamesha, volunteers as a BRYC Freshmen Mentor.

Kamesha Brumfeld Dominique Ricks Breaks from college often mean the end With bachelor’s and master’s degrees from of college. Not for this LSU sophomore University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dom is and biology major who, after a brief hiatus dean of students at Glacier Creek Middle to care for her son, is poised to earn her in Madison, where he’s responsible for bachelor’s degree. Kamesha also volunteers promoting positive behavioral expectations, as a BRYC Freshmen Mentor, supporting overseeing discipline, and coordinating 9th-grade Fellows through their high school academic and behavioral interventions. He’s transition. also on a district-level committee focused on identifying and retaining educators of color.

Brittany Butler Jonathan Scott This 2018 Spelman College graduate and This Morehouse Man, economics major, psychology major is pursuing joint graduate and Chinese minor was in BRYC’s second degrees — a Juris Doctorate and Master’s of class. He earned his bachelor’s in May 2016 Social Work — at Columbia University. Long and currently works outside of Atlanta as term she will advocate for foster care youth, a business analyst for Mansfeld Power a career path Brittany’s uniquely suited to. and Gas, a natural gas company. Long Besides being brilliant and relentless, she term Jonathan aspires to start his own was a foster youth herself. management consulting frm.

Obinna Chike Jasmine Watson This neuroscience major and Aikido (martial This Baton Rouge Community College arts) enthusiast graduated from Tulane second-year and criminal justice major gets in May 2018 and is preparing to apply buckets as a women’s basketball team walk- for medical school by taking prerequisite on. When not working part-time, attending courses at LSU and studying for the MCAT. class, or breaking ankles, Jasmine inspires Future Dr. Chike has also found time to assist 9th-graders as a BRYC Freshmen Mentor. with a BRYC fundraiser and tutor Fellows in Next fall she’ll transfer to Southern science and math. University, where after two years she’ll earn 10 her bachelor’s. From top to bottom: Donovan Thomas, THE Myles Gordon, Jeanette Jackson, Malik Johnson, Christalyn Hill Malik and Myles’ photos by HOWARD Christian Riley, Class of 2018 By: Emily Nichols, Class of 2019 oward University brings to mind images of fabulous The Howard Five have also been inspired Hhomecomings, vibrant Greek life, and the celebration and supported by the two College Fellows of Black higher education. Howard also conjures visions in Howard’s Class of 2021, Armani Brown of distinguished alumni like Thurgood Marshall, Taraji P. and Markelle Dunn. When asked about her Henson, and Chadwick Boseman. In fall 2018, f ve Fellows experience attending one of the most highly embarked for Howard hoping to become part of the regarded HBCUs in the nation, Armani said, school’s storied narrative. Affectionately dubbed “The “Going to an HBCU gives you the space to Howard Five,” Myles Gordon, Christalyn Hill, Jeanette def ne and truly embody Black excellence. It’s Jackson, Malik Johnson, and Donovan Thomas have almost like going to a cookout, but before the begun their journeys of fostering change in the world at cookout, you have class.” The Howard University! For its prestige and impressive students and Starting freshman year, each of The Five wondered, “Will I faculty, Howard has been compared to Ivy have friends?...Thrive hundreds of miles away from home?... League schools, but there is a key difference. Receive the support I need for academic success?” Those fears HBCUs — like Southern, Spelman, Bethune- were quelled from the moment they arrived on campus and Cookman, Howard, and many others — remind experienced Howard’s rich learning environment and engaging us that Black Americans had to f ght and die for instruction. equal access to postsecondary education, and in so many ways that f ght continues today. These institutions Myles complimented the university’s small classes and professors’ bring Black history and culture into focus and create spaces where students instructional techniques saying, “My professors who are used to feeling marginalized feel ask a lot of questions, and we get to have a lot of valued and united. HBCUs highlight the discussions. They keep the students engaged.” He incredible diversity among Black people echoes the sentiments of thousands of students “Going to an HBCU gives you the while celebrating the intellectual and attending historically-Black colleges and universities, space to defi ne and truly embody cultural power that bonds us. The Howard or HBCUs, who appreciate the intimate and captivating Black excellence. It’s almost like Five attest to being reminded of their environment. Many have noted that smaller class sizes strength as Black individuals and have been allow for dialogue that prompts students to consider a going to a cookout, but before the inspired to pave the way for future students, wide range of perspectives, preparing them to become cookout, you have class.” as alumni have for them. impactful citizens post-college. We look forward to seeing the impact The These College Fellows have also been moved by their peers. “Hearing what Howard Five will make as they join a legacy of College Fellows and Alumni other people have accomplished pushes you to go out and try new stuff to who attend and have graduated from HBCUs across the country. More than build your character, résumé, and knowledge,” Christalyn said. “Everybody that, we look for them to strengthen a tradition of Black postsecondary has been president of something or established their own club. It makes you education that prepares students not just for professional excellence but feel like you’re not doing enough, but it pushes you as well.” also to become full participants in society.

COLLEGE FELLOWS & ALUMNI AT HBCUS College Fellow (in college) Alumni (graduated)

ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY

CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY of BRYC’s College 26% Fellows attend HBCUs DILLARD UNIVERSITY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE (36x) FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AT NEW ORLEANS of BRYC’s Alumni 33% graduated from HBCUs HOWARD UNIVERSITY SPELMAN COLLEGE

MOREHOUSE COLLEGE XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS 11 By: Ivori Teasette, Class of 2019 hen I hear the phrase “A Man of Morehouse,” College Fellow JaMarcus Spears’ Wsmiling face and effervescent personality come to mind. The oldest of six siblings, he sets a great example, at home and beyond. At Central High School, JaMarcus was an athletic trainer for the football and volleyball teams and also served as a student ambassador. His junior year, he was dead set on attending Howard University, but he ultimately landed at Morehouse, a top historically Black college, where he is majoring in biology with dreams of becoming a sports medicine physician for an NFL team.

Although a departure from Howard, Morehouse f ts JaMarcus well. An all-male college, Morehouse has a rich legacy and unique campus environment which JaMarcus says he feels welcomed and at home in. Adapting to campus has not been a problem, as he did plenty of research before moving in.

I learned JaMarcus won’t become a “Morehouse Man” until he graduates. “I can’t tell you what it means to be a ‘Morehouse Man’ because I am not one yet,” JaMarcus said. “I am a ‘Man of Morehouse.’ Being a ‘Man of Morehouse’ means representing yourself very well and holding yourself to high standards. We don’t settle, and we don’t give up. As a ‘Man of Morehouse’, it is our mission to become active, ethical leaders in our communities while uplifting the people around us.”

JaMarcus gives BRYC a lot of credit for his personal development despite joining in 2017 at the beginning of his senior year, later in high school than most Fellows do. That year his schedule allowed him to be fully committed to the program’s heavy demands. He said BRYC gave him a space where he could learn to be himself at all times, which came in handy when he learned he would not be progressing as a f nalist for the Gates Scholarship. When he found out he would not advance, his f rst reaction was sadness, of course, but he later realized God had better things in store for him and that it was not the end of the world. With the BRYC Team and Fellows there to comfort him, he kept pushing forward, remembering setbacks are necessary parts of pursuing greatness.

Jermaine and Jada are the next Spearses to be Fellows, joining an organization whose value JaMarcus very much believes in. “It is very important for students to begin to get invested in programs like BRYC because that investment is an investment in your life. BRYC is here for our betterment, not just academically but physically and mentally as well. The amount of resources that BRYC offers is needed in the world today for our youth.”

BRYC has made such a strong impression on JaMarcus that he wants to launch a similar initiative one day. It’s no surprise he is one of our most engaged College Fellows, a special person I expect will accomplish big things in the future.

12 Photo by Kenneth White, Jr., Class of 2018 For anyone going through any type of trauma who is afraid to speak up, fi nd that one person in this world who you trust more than anyone, no matter who it is. As a victim, I know it’s not easy to just come out and say it, but having that one person you could go to for anything will be your main anchor for everything. For those who feel they do not have that connection with anyone — write. Writing will help you register and release some of those confusing emotions you may be feeling. Know that you do not deserve to be going through anything you may be facing no matter your race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. - Garrinecia Singleton

By: Ashlei Smith, Class of 2020 Photo by Kenneth White, Jr., Class of 2018

ou never know what someone has overcome. That’s an understatement Garrinecia credits BRYC with helping to keep her motivated during the Yfor College Fellow Garrinecia Singleton, who suffered an abusive toughest times, but the credit is really hers. childhood at the hands of a family member. Instead of derailing her, her challenging experience drives her to become a Licensed Clinical Social Garrinecia says her experience at Rhodes so far has been amazing. While Worker and support defenseless adolescents while spreading awareness adjusting to new people and cuisines, she’s staying opened-minded about of predatory behavior. She’s on her way. Garrinecia graduated from all college has to offer, in and outside the classroom. She’s also taking care Scotlandville Magnet High School in May 2018 and now attends a top of herself. Garrinecia sees a counselor on campus weekly, attends group liberal arts school, Rhodes College, in Memphis, Tenn. on a scholarship sessions, and has been catching up on all the sleep she missed during high worth more than $250,000. school. Her career aspiration remains supporting sexual assault survivors, both through counseling and educating young people on healthy Garrinecia was part of BRYC’s f rst class of four-year Fellows. While achieving relationships. To that end, she is majoring in psychology and intends to near-perfect grades in high school, she was active in BRYC and other volunteer in the community at organizations focused on reproductive activities, like track, Youth Leadership Council, and Robotics Club. For her rights, like Sister Reach and Planned Parenthood. courage and perseverance in the face of sexual violence, she was named a 2018 Louisiana Public Broadcasting “Young Hero,” and for her academic There was a time Garrinecia dreamed of becoming an aerospace engineer excellence, she was named a Gates Scholarship f nalist — meaning that, of but later realized she felt no passion toward it. Now she’s driven by a an applicant pool of tens of thousands, she was among 600 f nal candidates. greater purpose, to leverage her experience and education in service of others. There were many times she wanted to give up, but her long- Her persistence is something to marvel at. In the face of a deeply traumatic term vision wouldn’t let her. She urges Fellows to operate with the same experience, Garrinecia survived and much more. She remained driven to tenacity and take advantage of all BRYC provides, especially its supportive attend college so she could fulf ll her long-term goal of supporting other community. “BRYC’s loving environment never hesitated to be honest with vulnerable youth. Though extremely diff cult, she channeled her energy me and push me to try new things,” Garrinecia said. Speaking as a Fellow, into school, sports, and telling her story through beautiful, heartfelt college Garrinecia pushes me, and I can’t wait to see all she achieves. essays that moved the Rhodes’ admissions team. I know they inspired me.

13 BEHIND the SCENES By: Stephanie Howard, Class of 2019 & Leigh Phillips ollege Fellow and soon-to-be University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduate Emma Lacy has Ctaken advantage of every opportunity offered to her in college in order to discover her perfect future career in flm production. But Emma’s journey to flm production was neither straightforward nor easy.

Deeply affected by her mother’s untimely death and family fnancial diffculties, Emma credits her College Mentor, Bree, with keeping her grounded during her trying high school years. “Had (God) not used mentors to impart wisdom in my life, I probably wouldn’t be as far as I am now,” Emma said. Emma’s circle of support included her pastors, to whom Emma’s mother gave domiciliary custody before her death. Emma overcame the signifcant emotional and physical transition of living under a new roof and with an adoptive family, graduating from Mentorship Academy as her class’s salutatorian.

Emma has come a long way since then, never forgetting her past but very much focused on her future. Originally a creative writing major, she is now poised to graduate in a few short months with a Bachelor’s in Communication with a focus on broadcasting. While many students don’t discover their dream careers until months or years after graduation, if ever, Emma discovered hers by connecting with hands-on experiences in her chosen feld.

During her senior year, she has produced several news packages alongside her classmates and Lafayette-area broadcast professionals, including a Christmas show that aired on KATC3, one of Acadiana’s primary news channels. Another local outlet, AOC Community Media, ran three of Emma’s video packages on a live newscast and has since offered her an internship she will undertake in the spring of 2019.

But Emma’s stories don’t just have a local reach. She’s submitted her work to television stations around the country to receive feedback and connect with professionals in her feld. Emma’s most interesting piece involved investigating a Lafayette cold case murder from 1974. Her journalistic excellence, conveyed through a series of her published and unpublished works, recently earned her a $2,000 scholarship from the Press Club of New Orleans.

Although a talented journalist and writer, Emma has discovered she most enjoys being behind the scenes. She loves every aspect of the technical side of broadcasting, from photography and videography, to sound-mixing and running the teleprompter, and everything in between. She admits to dreading the painstaking nature of editing but is willing to do anything to gain experience. Just this year, Emma has volunteered on flm sets for The Nightmare Shark, Raging 13, and The Stick-Up to sharpen all skills that will prepare her for future opportunities.

Following her May 17, 2019 graduation, a date Emma instantly and proudly shares, she will apply to the Disney College Program, a Walt Disney Company internship that would provide her with professional development in the entertainment realm.

Emma cites work ethic and tenacity as the main sources of her success. “My major, although liberal arts, wasn’t necessarily easy,” Emma explained. “You have to be willing to put in the work and time and effort and patience because nothing comes easily. That’s what I’ve learned throughout the course of my academic career and is why I’ve been able to be successful.”

While Emma would prefer not to appear on your television screen any time soon, you may well fnd her name in the credits of a future blockbuster. Photo by Kenneth White, Jr., Class of 2018 BEYOND BR By: Kenya Carney, Class of 2020 orn and raised in Baton Rouge, College Fellow Tyler Williams thought his only options Bfor college would be within the Capital area. The Scotlandville Magnet High School graduate was initially skeptical of joining BRYC, wondering if he’d fnd value in it. He eventually realized the organization offered nothing but good things for him, including opening his eyes to the vast postsecondary possibilities outside Louisiana.

Tyler entered his senior year with a 29 on the ACT and near-perfect grades. He’d had little exposure to colleges other than Southern and LSU but was open to expanding his horizons. He decided to apply for the QuestBridge National College Match program, which connects high-achieving, low-income high school students with full scholarships at its “partner colleges” — some of the best in the country. The process is daunting, but Tyler took it on and was successful, ultimately being “matched” with his top-choice school, Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. Although it isn’t the most well-known QuestBridge partner college, Grinnell is a top liberal arts school and a standout for improving college access and affordability.

Although Grinnell is a predominantly white college, the opposite of Tyler’s Scotlandville experience, he has transitioned smoothly. In fact, he has excelled, not only as a computer science major but a campus leader and young entrepreneur. Tyler is president of the Concerned Black Students Association (CBS), which was in jeopardy of folding due to a lack of leadership when Tyler made the decision to run for offce. Tyler has also launched a couple of on-campus ventures, including a barbershop and a company called “Stix,” which sells stick-shaped waffes and has a web-based app Tyler built that lets students place orders from all over campus. He has even thrived outside the country, studying computer science at the University of Ghana in Accra during spring of his junior year.

Tyler has also done well professionally. In the summers after his sophomore and junior years, Tyler interned as a software engineer at John Deere and was offered a full-time job which he later turned down. That’s because, after he graduates in May 2019, he will move to New York City to begin working as a technology consultant at Adobe, a world- renowned computer software company. His risk-taking and hard work have paid off.

Although initially apprehensive, Tyler said leaving home was the best decision he ever made, especially since he’d spent his whole life in the Red Stick. “Outside of Baton Rouge, you become a more well-rounded person and gain different perspectives on what goes on in the world. You’re just stuck in a box if you stay in one place and don’t open your mind and explore outside of your comfort zone,” Tyler said.

When asked what advice he would give other Fellows considering attending college out of state, Tyler said, “Don’t be scared to fail. Your comfort zone is always going to be there. If things go south, you can always come back.” Tyler said that, thanks to BRYC, he was pushed far beyond what he ever thought would be comfortable for him, and he urges all people to do the same. HEAD IN the CLOUD By: Nyla Gayle, Class of 2022 By: Nyla Gayle, Class of 2022

Photo by Kenneth White, Jr., Class of 2018

nly 3.5 percent of STEM bachelor’s degree holders are Latinas. Alumna which they are typically underrepresented. Amanda remembers seeing fewer OAmanda Alfaro is in that small percentage as a graduate of LSU’s College than f ve people of color in most of her computer science classes. Although of Engineering and a software engineer at PTS Solutions, Inc. Amanda is a the computer science f eld has begun to value diversity more, Amanda found trailblazer for progress, but she’s not stopping at her day job. She serves as it diff cult to speak up during group projects. She felt voiceless until she an advocate for and mentor to other young women of color seeking to access found the Women in Computer Science (WICS) club, a place where she built and advance in STEM f elds. community and conf dence.

Amanda was born in San Antonio, Tex. and moved to Baton Rouge at the age WICS is dedicated to “the professional and academic development of women of seven. Leaving her extended family and moving to a place not many people and others studying computer science and related f elds at LSU.” During her looked like her was painful, so Amanda turned to academics to time in WICS, Amanda attended several national conferences, help dull that pain. Her commitment to her schoolwork paid off, mentored younger students, and served as an off cer in the as she was accepted to Baton Rouge Magnet High School, and organization. She will sit on WICS’ Women in Tech Panel later later, BRYC. this year, one of the many ways Amanda remains an advocate in the broader community. With BRYC’s resources and support, and the encouragement and guidance of her College Mentor, Lauren, Amanda raised her ACT During senior year at LSU, Amanda landed an internship with score signif cantly and gained admission to LSU with zero loan PTS Solutions Inc., where she currently works full-time. As a debt. She started off unsure of her major and career path but quality assurance engineer, Amanda develops public safety soon found the perfect f t in computer science. applications, like computer-aided dispatching software and Amanda enjoyed her high school math and science classes, but prison management systems. She feels strongly about her job’s witnessing her mother’s friend work with computers fascinated value to society. “Our business is important,” Amanda explained. her. The thought of being able to control a computer, particularly ”Proper development and testing for our applications has major in service of others, intrigued her. Computer science’s diverse professional quality-of-life implications.” More importantly, she connects her work now to opportunities and real-world applications sealed the deal for Amanda. her long-time passion for social progress and said that “grappling with and f nding solutions to societal problems has me in the position I’m in today.” Amanda had to adjust to the rigorous computer science classes at LSU but eventually was able to manage her course load, which included business, Amanda is one of three people of color and four women in an off ce of 17. gaming, and coding classes, and much more. She supplemented her major Being the youngest was intimidating at f rst, but she has worked through coursework with communication classes, which helped her address various the initial discomfort and now feels included and valued as a colleague. audiences and clearly present ideas. And Amanda is more purpose-driven than ever. When she steps into her off ce, she turns into a superheroine working to better the world through As a woman of color in STEM, Amanda believes she is a representative for technology and pave the way for young women with similar aspirations. students from similar backgrounds. She hopes to be an example for what’s 16 possible for minority and f rst-generation students interested in f elds in By: Tanielma Costa, Class of 2020

or Alumna Beatrice “Bea” Kariuki, life is all about doing things you love to involved in. Knowing things that interest you, knowing things that you’re Fthe fullest. She lives by this principle every day, and her college experience passionate about motivates you to be involved in those organizations.” was no exception. Indeed she was immersed in f urry of activities. Bea saw Emory as her As a Kenyan immigrant who moved to the U.S. in 2011 during ninth grade, playground to be explored. She speaks of how exhilarating the national Bea had to quickly adjust to South Louisiana culture and a new school in Gates conventions in Washington, D.C. were and how they inspired her to Broadmoor High. She says that, from the beginning, she was determined take on the roles of vice president, and later, president of Emory’s Gates to reach her dreams of college and understood Scholars chapter. Protesting after the death of the privilege she was given to study in the U.S. Trayvon Martin her freshman year led to many Most daunting for Bea was how uninformed social justice-focused activities in and outside she was about the American postsecondary of school, like getting people to register to vote. education system. That’s where BRYC came Bea volunteered through a national service in. “I had an idea of the things I wanted to do organization, served as president and vice and where I wanted to be,” Bea said, “but BRYC president of the Resident Hall Association, and was that catalyst I needed to push myself out was a campus ambassador, leading tours and of my comfort zone. BRYC took that fear of not information sessions for prospective students knowing what’s coming, and I’m very grateful and families. Perhaps her most beloved activity for that.” was volunteering at Children’s Healthcare in Atlanta, which led to her summer abroad at University College London prior to her senior year. There On BRYC’s 2013 Atlanta College Tour, Emory “felt like home,” and Bea she studied healthcare delivery in the United Kingdom and U.S. decided to apply. She was accepted with a robust f nancial aid package but didn’t stop there, ultimately securing the highly coveted Gates Millennium I was exhausted just hearing about all Bea has done, but she said, “I wouldn’t Scholarship (now called the Gates Scholarship). From an applicant pool of take it back.” That’s because each experience was fulf lling and meaningful, tens of thousands nationwide, Bea was one of 300 to earn the full ride, which just like my interview with Bea. As an immigrant, I’m inspired by her example. follows recipients to whichever colleges they choose to attend.

Bea plunged right into her four years at Emory. She graduated with a degree in neuroscience and behavioral biology, minoring in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies. Bea now works full-time in Atlanta as a business immigration analyst at a law f rm called Seyfarth Shaw LLP.

Bea urges Fellows not just to get involved on campus but to go all in. “My passions and interests paved the way for the things I ended up being 17 JOURNALISM CLUB Erin Carroll Lauren-Pheriche Perkins Bryan Tumulty Baton Rouge Magnet High Kenya Carney Tyler Carruth Connor Petty Alicia Vessel Belaire High Monasia Charles Chris Ciesielski Nam Pham Broadmoor High Tanielma Costa Ashley Clayton Leigh Phillips WRITING COACHES Catholic High Nyla Gayle Michael Coleman Terry Pickett Jessica Arner Central High Stephanie Howard Jordan Corp Phillip Pinkston Gillian Foss The Church Academy Cameron Matthews Brendan Csaposs Linda Posner Sam Gonzales Cristo Rey Baton Rouge Emily Nichols Haley Delk Michael Richards Vincent Granata Denham Springs High Morgan Rice Andrea Dent LaShawn Robertson Sherri Johnson The Dunham School Ashlei Smith Karen Duffy Cesar Romero Anant Kishore East Feliciana High Ivori Teasette Ashley Dunbar Laneceya Russ Ashley Mick Episcopal High Dominique Dunbar La’Shantlen Russ Emily Nemens Friendship Capitol High TEAM (CF/A#) Katrina Dunn Charity Schaffer Charley Silvio Glen Oaks High Angela Bain Meredith Eckard Ricky Schultz Natasha Strickland Iberville MSA Academy Story Baquet David Eley Staci Shelby Leland Whitehouse Istrouma High Koryne Cage# Fallan Frank Aimee Simon Madison Preparatory Academy Katelyn Guillory# Eric Franklin Joanna So GUARDIANS OF BRYC McKinley High Laura Hawkes Steven Geller Franklin Soares Shawanda Holmes-Ringo Mentorship Academy Josh Howard Lani L. Gholston Lucas Spielfogel Jasmin Johnson Northeast High A’Shonte Johnson Devon Greenfeld Jovan Thomas Dionne McCurry Parkview Baptist Dani Klein Amy Grogan Andrea Thompson Walter McLaughlin Port Allen High Antone LeBlanc# Kayla Gros Natan Trief Tanisha Mitchell Scotlandville Magnet High Michelle Myers Cara Guilbeau Ivyonne Variet Angela Reaux Southern University Lab Lauren-Pheriche Perkins Cadie Guitreau Jason Walker Chakara Spurlock Tara High Leigh Phillips Andrea and Austin Guntz Aeryel Williams University Lab School LaShawn Robertson Kiara Gravel Travis Woodard NONPROFIT PARTNERS Walker High Jalyn Smith# Hillary Gray Baton Rouge West Feliciana High Bree Spielfogel SK Groll TUTORS Community College Zachary Christian Academy Lucas Spielfogel Erin Harmeyer Abi Akamo Big Buddy Zachary High Chelsea Werner Laura Hawkes Michael Ali City Year Baton Rouge Ashley Heard Mellyn Baker First United Methodist Church BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Hopkins Jack Blears Forward Arts Sarah Kracke, Chairwoman Ali Horton James Burke The Futures Fund Kevin Knobloch, Treasurer David Hou Emily Carroll Healthy Blue Lisa Adamek Josh Howard Angelina Dang Junior League of Baton Rouge Jay Noland Jared Hymowitz Sean Dobies Louisiana State University Zaheer Poptani Alex Kolb Matt Drew MetroMorphosis Linda Posner Eugene Laphand Lexus Hector Serve Louisiana Kimberly Lecompte Spencer Hellner Sexual Trauma Awareness COLLEGE MENTORS John Lewis David Jozefov and Response Lisa Adamek Symphony Malveaux Viet Le South Louisiana Coalition Betsy Allen Adams Celina Mariano Darian Madere for Education Corrine Bacigal Cody Martin Tierney McCoy Southern University and Oluwaseyi Bamgbola Emelie Martin Kathryn McKee A&M College Hannah Birchman Randi McCarty Danielle Moreau Teach for America - South Michelle Bolda Traechel McCoy Abdou Ndiaye Louisiana Dan Bowen Michelle Myers Thu Nguyen Christi Brown Nikole Nijenkamp Daniel Pacheco SCHOOL PARTNERS Scott Browne Lucy Perera Edward Shim Arlington Preparatory Academy Christal Carroll David Perkins Jada Titus Baker High 18 TEAM BOARD OF DIRECTORS VIPS GUARDIANS PARTNERS SUPPORTERS FRIENDS

BRYC is a college-preparatory community whose health depends on the contributions of so many. We send deep gratitude to the generous donors, dedicated volunteers (VIPs), and loyal partners who supported BRYC between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018, and we apologize to anyone we may have unintentionally overlooked. Thank you for choosing BRYC. in memoriam*

SUPPORTERS Capital One Becca Gelwicks Teri & Gordon LeBlanc Darrelyn & Randy Roussell Patricia & Alan Abramson Gloria & Stephen Carter GeoEngineers, Inc. The Lemoine Company Ayan & Mike Rubin Lisa & Thomas Adamek Liza Carter & Preston Magouirk Aleshadye Getachew Polly & Conville Lemoine Sam Rustom, Jr. Albemarle Foundation Nicole & Chris Ciesielski Lani L. Gholston Lipsey’s, LLC Cary Saurage Margaret Ambrose Beverly & Dudley* Coates Randi & Howard Ginsburg Louisiana Healthcare Donna Saurage Benita & Stuart Appel Cathy Coates & Brian Hales Good Family Foundation Connections SGS North America, Inc. Jessica Arner & Eli Abbe Leslie & Cliff Cohen Gorter Family Foundation Pat & Don Lyle Shintech Inc. Priscilla & Edward Ashworth Cox Communications Christopher Gorter Patrick MacDanel II Dianne & Kevin Smith Atlassian Inc. Brendan Csaposs David & Lauren Gorter Foundation Martin Foundation Euhbin Song & Daniel Kahn Renee Bacher & Ed Smith CSRS, Inc. Taylor Gorter Emelie & Cody Martin Bree & Lucas Spielfogel Barnes & Noble Jennifer & Michael Daly Boo Grigsby Foundation MasteryPrep Whitney & Ross Spielfogel Annette Barton Jane & Toby Darbonne Jennifer & David Grumhaus Alex Mastroyannis Starmount Life - Unum Baton Rouge Area Foundation Fred Dent Mary & David D. Grumhaus Lisa & Paul Mayeaux Deborah Sternberg & Jason Binder Patricia Dobies Whitney Grumhaus Kathy & Frank McArthur II Michael Roth Bishop Stanley Joseph Ott Robin Dobies Lisa & Jonathan Haas Teeta & Rolfe McCollister, Jr. Donna & Hans Sternberg “Works of Mercy” Trust Fund Rich Dupuy Esther & Douglas Halperin Dr. Saundra Y. McGuire Josef Sternberg Memorial Fund Eryn Block Shannon & David Eley Milton Hamer Tracey & Andrew McMains Tadaa! Fund Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Emergent Method LLC Margaret Hart Linda & Brian McMillin The Laszlo N. Tauber Louisiana Foundation Jennifer Eplett & Sean Reilly Rick Hartley & David Vey Anne & Tom Meek Family Foundation Valerie & Dennis Blunt ExxonMobil Fran & Leroy Harvey Mary & Garrett Moran Garrett Temple B’nai Torah Synagogue Cal & Andy Fentress Rachel & Mark Hausmann Pieter Morgan Taryn & Ryan Terrell Laura E. Boles Robert Fentress Laura Hawkes Michelle Myers Shelby Thayne Linda & Robert Bowsher Sean Fentress Mavis Hawkes Christine Nichols Wendy Tinkler Melanie & John Boyce René & Bill Firesheets Ava & Cordell Haymon The Nokomis Fund Sarah & Michael Tipton Karen H. Briggs First United Methodist Church Healthy Blue Elizabeth & Jay Noland Samantha & Natan Trief Christi Brown Samantha & Alan Flitter Laura & Jeff Henry Virginia & John Noland UP Elementary School Nicole Burrell Fluor Federal Petroleum Kristen Hill OnStar Utay Family Foundation Neva Butkus Patrick Ford & Greg Myers Frederick Hughes Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Sarah Vanden Broek Lakeisha Butler Ellie* & Albert Fraenkel II Jeremy Hunnewell Foundation Laura Vinsant & Win Songy John Callaway Kaitlyn Gallegos Immense Networks Kelly Pepper Sonia K. Wagner Capital Area United Way Brittany & Craig Gehring Jesse Irwin Lauren-Pheriche & Connie & Larry Weisenthal ISC Constructors, LLC David Perkins Karrin Weisenthal & JP Morgan Chase Anne & John Pescatore Andrew Collard Sherri Johnson Elisabeth & Charles Pfeifer Michelle & J. R. Whaley Jones Walker LLP Phelps Dunbar LLP The Huey and Angelina Junior League of Baton Rouge Elizabeth & Brian Phillips Wilson Foundation Ellen & Doug Kahn Kathryn F. Phillips Monica & Steven Winkler Kean Miller LLP Rebecca & Daniel Polivy Jill Kammer & John Wozniczka Christine Keenan Linda & Mark Posner Audrey & Jonathan Young Joe Kelly The Powell Group Fund Bari & Matt Yukelson Kathryn & Luke Kissam Susan Preslier & Debbie & Kevin Knobloch Carmine Nicoletti Joan & Bob* Korn Susie Quinn Sarah Kracke Drew & Ross Reilly Maxwell Kramer Mary & Wendell Reilly Alexander Krey Winifred & Kevin Reilly, Jr. Mary & Brad Krey Stacie & Michael Reiser Katherine Krey Pam Richards & Pat Caballero Morgan Krey Nellie Robinson Charles Lamar Family Foundation Jeannette & Michael Rolfsen Andrew Larose Rotary Club of Baton Rouge Leslie Leavoy Mary & Edward Rotenberg 19 The printing of this report was generously made possible by