BRYC Overview
Mission
BRYC prepares high-achieving, under-resourced high school students to enter, excel in, and graduate from college so they can become full participants in society.
Vision
BRYC aspires to provide its Fellows with the best college-preparatory resources money can buy — for free.
History
BRYC was founded in 2009 when Daniel Kahn, then a high school teacher, recognized that even his highest-achieving students lacked the resources they needed to realize college success.
A Decade of Persistence
In 2019-2020 BRYC will celebrate its 10-year anniversary and drive a campaign to ensure our next decade. At the center of that campaign is the word PERSISTENCE, underscoring that BRYC is about long-term success. Our 373 alumni, who represent nearly 60 colleges and live, work, and study in more than 20 states, remain in college at a rate of 86 percent. BRYC too has persisted: from a fledgling engine-that-could to a well-oiled operation of 18 staff members and 130 volunteers serving 250 youth across nine school districts. Ages nine and 10 are when nonprofits are likeliest to fold. BRYC is charging through its decade milestone, stronger than ever, preparing for continued expansion.
College
Promoting academic growth and beyond-class engagement, and helping Fellows enter and complete college.
Consciousness
Supporting Fellows in living their values, representing themselves effectively, and critically examining society.
Community
Fostering a loving, vibrant, youth-led Community through which Fellows connect to valuable resources.
Program Support Team
Lucas Spielfogel
Laura Hawkes
A’Shonte Johnson
Kamesha Brumfield
College Team
Chelsea Werner
Michelle Myers
Connor Gonzales
Kayla McVay
Learning Team
Leigh Phillips
Dani Klein
Allie Diefendorf
Community Team
Josh Howard
Christi Brown
Board Members
Lisa Adamek
- Lisa’s term on the board began 4/18 and shall continue until April 2021.
Nigel Fontenot
- Associate, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
- Nigel’s term on the board began 5/19 and shall continue until May 2022.
Kevin Knobloch, Treasurer
- Managing Director – Investments, Wells Fargo Advisors
- Kevin’s term on the board began 9/17 and shall continue until September 2020.
Sarah Kracke, Interim Chair
- Owner & President, Kracke Consulting
- Sarah’s term on the board began 10/15 and shall continue until October 2020.
Mikki Ceasar Mathews
- Vice President of Public Finance Investment Banking, Piper Sandler & Co.
- Mikki’s term on the board began 5/19 and shall continue until May 2022.
Chaunda Allen Mitchell, PhD
- Executive Director, Diversity and Inclusion / Director of Drug Policy, Office of Governor John Bel Edwards
- Chaunda’s term on the board began 5/19 and shall continue until May 2022.
Jay Noland
- Owner, Noland Development, LLC
- Jay’s term on the board began 2/16 and shall continue until February 2022.
Zaheer Poptani
- Financial Advisor and Chief Compliance Officer, Dent Wealth Advisors
- Zaheer’s term on the board began 11/18 and shall continue until November 2021.
Linda Orlansky Posner
- Linda’s term on the board began 4/18 and shall continue until April 2021.