Braven

Our SY2023-2024 Impact Report is LIVE! At Braven, we believe that all students deserve a fair shot to compete in today’s economy. This report showcases Braven’s impact in deep partnership with higher ed and employer partners to empower more underrepresented college students on the path to economic mobility. Read the full report at?impactreport.braven.org! ?#BeBraven #BravenImpact

Friendly reminder: We’re still accepting applications for the Braven Leadership Coach program. The deadline has been extended to December 8! As Braven’s most in-demand program, Leadership Coaches empower cohorts of 5-8 undergraduate college students as they prepare for their next internship, full-time job, or graduate school admission. In this program, Leadership Coaches: - Virtually facilitate 10 weekly sessions of a two-hour career development course (January - May)? - Share their insights from their own career journeys with students one-on-one Receive training and support from Braven staff and experienced Leadership Coaches? - Commit 3-4 hours/week Are you interested in mentoring college students and sharing your professional experiences? Apply by December 8 at braven.org/volunteer. #BeBraven #BravenVolunteer

Recently, Braven-Delaware hosted its “We Are Up Next: Shaping Employment and Talent Retention in the First State” event in partnership with Barclays, one of our incredible Braven employer partners! Leaders from the business, nonprofit, civic, higher education, and philanthropic sectors came together to strengthen connections and learn more about the Delaware State University and Braven partnership. Huge thank you to our Braven DSU Fellows–Brandon Poplar,?Jaden Weatherspoon,?Na'ja Stokes, and?Nyjah Smarr, as well as?Jennifer Cho?(Head of Citizenship/Community Relations at Barclays US Consumer Bank),?Joe Westcott?(Delaware Market President at Capital One),?Dr. Michelle Burroughs?(SVP, Chief Diversity Officer at?WSFS Bank),?michael roberts?(Vice President, Head of Legal Matters Strategy at Barclays US Consumer Bank and a Braven Leadership Coach) and?Patrice Gilliam-Johnson?(Provost of Delaware State University) for sharing their experiences. Swipe to see the highlights! #BeBraven #BravenatDSU #BravenDelaware PC ??: Emir Lake

In honor of all the National First Gen Day celebrations, I want to recognize the resilience and achievements of first-generation college students. I’m proud to spotlight a Braven #Newark Board Member, Harry Li, whose story embodies courage and perseverance. As the son of Chinese immigrants known as freedom swimmers—who risked everything to reach British-controlled Hong Kong—his life is a testament to the sacrifices of those before him. Driven by his parents’ #legacy, he excelled academically but learned later that success goes beyond grades—it’s about soft skills and building trust. This fuels his dedication to Braven’s mission: equipping students with the hard and soft skills crucial for career success. “Braven accelerates students’ understanding of blending both for impact,” he shares. To all first-gen students, you carry forward the dreams of your families and build new paths for others. Today and every day, we celebrate YOU!

“It was hard to picture what I would do after college because I didn’t know anyone working in a particular field that required a college education.” As a first-generation college student, Edith turned to Braven to help her translate her passion for medicine into a meaningful career. Now training to be a pediatrician, Edith is one of many future leaders Braven has equipped with the skills, confidence, experience, and networks necessary to transition from college to strong first jobs. We collaborated with Braven to create a new digital portal that brings career resources to thousands more students. Learn how: https://mck.co/48P4ku8 #SustainableInclusiveGrowth

We’re proud to see our partnership with Braven featured in The News Journal Media Group for our work empowering students for career success! https://lnkd.in/eeG-FU5u

A big thank you to Anitra Johnson of The News Journal Media Group for her recent article spotlighting Braven's work at Delaware State University in helping to close the economic gap as well as Brandon Poplar's experience. Brandon’s journey embodies the gap between holding a college degree and achieving true career success—and how programs like Braven bridge that divide.? Read the full piece at: https://lnkd.in/e64cTK6w

Check out this Crain's Chicago Business op-ed written by Braven’s Founder and CEO Aimée Eubanks Davis. “While it may seem daunting, closing the college-to-career gap is a solvable problem,” she writes. Read the full?piece here: https://lnkd.in/grJ-igsg #BeBraven

A big thank you to Lourdes Duarte and WGN-TV for speaking with Onel Abreu, our Director of Data and Impact, and Jonathan Chaparro from Braven about the results of our recent Youth Survey. Watch the full segment at: https://lnkd.in/ggeYEd2q

ICYMI: Braven’s Executive Director of Chicago Jonathan Chaparro and Northern Illinois University’s Melanie Griegoliet, MLD attended the 2024 The College Board Forum in Austin, Texas in late October! This forum brought together professionals and thought leaders from across disciplines to address access and success issues in K-12 and higher education. In a video with WorkingNation, Jonathan discusses the impact Braven has on college students, especially those who identify as first generation and come from humble beginnings. “What we do, in partnership with higher education partners, is help students unlock social capital in those spaces that oftentimes students may not necessarily have access to.” Check out the video here: https://lnkd.in/gXXUsHuV #BeBraven #CBFORUM #WorkingNation