Improve Your Tomorrow

Check out our latest College Tour Video at Sonoma State University! We brought over a 100 of our Bay Area Members to check out the campus, meet students, and hear from all the great clubs and programs that are designed to support their success. We're grateful to our partners at Sonoma State for joining our Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Initiative which is expanding college access to young men of color across Northern and Central California. https://hubs.la/Q02YrV1H0

Thank You for making the 2024 IYT Sneaker Ball truly inspiring! With your presence and support this years Sneaker Ball was our best yet—filled with celebration, purpose, and impact. Together, we raised essential funds for our College Success Center and took big steps toward empowering young men of color in our community on their journey to and through college. We had an incredible evening—from the fun of Heads or Tails to the lively Dessert Dash, and a special VIP hour where our brothers shared inspiring stories from their educational experiences. We’ll be sharing more highlights from the event soon, but we’re still buzzing with excitement and gratitude. A huge thank you to our generous donors for making this evening possible. Thank you for standing by us in our mission! #iyt #sneakerball #laceupforchange

Our brothers from Grant Union and El Camino High Schools recently took inspiring trips to Sonoma State University where they got a firsthand look at college life on a campus that offers them guaranteed admissions. From learning about the incredible Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), which provides mentorship, academic programs, and financial assistance, to exploring Sonoma State’s strong STEM programs and prestigious wine business program, the brothers left feeling inspired and ready to take the next step toward their futures! Grant Union Brother Andy Campos summed up his experience: "Visiting Sonoma State was a breath of fresh air. I was given amazing information on opportunities like EOP, which makes future opportunities feel within reach." ?? El Camino Brother Jayden Jamerson added: "Opportunities are all around us; we just have to look through the right door to find them. Stepping foot on this campus can open doors for me and future generations." ?? These tours are about more than just visiting campuses—they're about opening doors to possibilities! San Juan Unified School District

Recently, our Cordova brothers got an inspiring look at college life during the Fall College Tour at California State University-Sacramento! From exploring the campus and dorms to enjoying the excitement of a live Hornets football game, this trip made a lasting impact. A highlight? University President J. Luke Wood, PhD spoke to our brothers about the power of community and the importance of higher education Brother Anthony Dean shared: "This is the first time I've been to Sac State. My favorite part was the football game. I always thought I’d attend an HBCU, but now Sac State is up there!" Experiences like these show our brothers that college isn’t just a dream—it’s something they can achieve!

Last month, Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT) took a step toward making a NATIONAL IMPACT! Our CEO, Michael Lynch, and Policy and Advocacy Manager, Tahmirah Mecca, were in Washington, D.C. for crucial discussions with state representatives and key stakeholders. Our goal was to elevate IYT’s mission and explore new opportunities to broaden our impact on educational outcomes. During their visit, Lynch and Mecca briefed state representatives on IYT’s progress and discussed potential national collaborations. They highlighted IYT's tangible successes, including improved college enrollment, reduced dropout rates, and the transformative impact on the lives of young men of color. IYT has achieved incredible progress in California, and now it’s time to grow our vision! We're reaching nearly 5,000 brothers across California, Maryland, and Minnesota! As we continue our mission, this trip to DC is a reminder that IYT’s vision extends far beyond California, Maryland, and Minnesota. We are working toward a future where young men of color are overrepresented in education, underrepresented in the criminal justice system, and leaders in their communities. For more information on our progress check out our impact report: https://hubs.la/Q02T9ymL0 #IYT #AmeriCorps #SchoolToPrisonPipeline #WashingtonDC

Over 55 IYT Brothers from Folsom Cordova Unified School District and Twin Rivers Unified School District kicked off their first college tour of the school year with an unforgettable visit to California State University - East Bay! For many, it was their first time stepping foot on a college campus and traveling to the Bay Area. Our brothers explored the campus, connected with CSUEB students, ate at the dining commons, and cheered on the women's volleyball team on during a game! The group ended the 10 hour day with a trip to a local mini golf course. Reflecting on the campus tour, 8th Grader Garret S. of Winston Churchill said: “This tour was amazing because I was able to hang out with the Brotherhood and meet new people".

We’ll be tabling at Augsburg University in Minneapolis TOMORROW for our mentorship program and we can’t wait to meet you! We've partnered with ServeMinnesota to provide an incredible opportunity for diverse college students to mentor young men of color, helping them succeed on their path to and through college. https://hubs.la/Q02SP24n0 #MentorshipMatters #AugsburgUniversity #YouthLeadership #CollegeBound #AmeriCorps

As we kick off the 2024-2025 school year, we wanted to share a recent highlight from one of our senior brothers, Gabe Williams from Del Campo High School at San Juan Unified School District. He was recently accepted on the spot to Livingstone College at an HBCU college fair! Gabe, was not only accepted to Livingston College but also awarded a $7,000 scholarship in recognition of his academic achievements! Pictured next to Gabe is IYT's Del Campo Program Manager, Pete Guerrero. Gabe shared to Pete, "This means a lot to me because I’ve been wanting to get into college since I was 14 years old!" Congratulations Brother Gabe!! We are so happy to be there to support you on your college-bound journey! This is just the beginning of many college acceptances for our seniors this year. We look forward to celebrating many more success stories like this, made possible through your support.

?? Sacramento City Council Approves Measure L. What does this mean for youth programs? In a unanimous vote, the Sacramento City Council passed the strategic investment plan for Measure L with a new funding split for city and community programs. While the outcome wasn’t what we fully championed, it marks progress and the need for continued advocacy for our city's youth. Thank you Sac Kids First and the many young people who have fought for years to get us here! Read the full story and analysis here: https://hubs.la/Q02Rnm6x0

?? Exciting News! ?? We're proud to welcome Karleton Thomas as the new Executive Director for IYT Maryland! With over a decade of experience championing youth and community development, Karleton is ready to lead our mission of empowering young men of color in Maryland. Jamal Turner, Director of the Nolita Project, said it best: “Karleton has been an incredible asset to youth and families across Maryland. His skill in navigating complex systems to ensure families have access to the resources they need, his ability to bring together diverse groups of stakeholders, and his collaboration with state leaders have all been essential to his success. He’s the kind of leader who knows how to get things done and bring people together for the common good.” Join us in welcoming Karleton and read the full announcement below https://lnkd.in/g5_4_GXn #IYTMaryland #YouthLeadership #CommunityEmpowerment #KarletonThomas #Mentorship