Impact Report
FISCAL YEAR 2022
Mural by Marc Fresh completed April 2022
Stronger Than Ever
On October 4, 2021, the BRYC Community celebrated our return to in-person activities after 567 days of virtual programming. While COVID-19 still necessitated online and hybrid options, gathering together for (masked) sessions and (outdoor) events recalled the past and embraced a future driven by our commitment to equity. On the eve of a new fiscal year, BRYC’s organizational structure is sturdier, our bonds are tighter, and we have you to thank for it.
BRYC’s fiscal year 2022 achievements aren’t ours alone. They’re the achievements of every individual, foundation, and corporation that supported our efforts last year. Your gift today will ensure next year’s Fellows have the best possible chance for success.
BY THE NUMBERS
Fellows
Source: Spring 2022 survey
Volunteers
Volunteers Investing in Passions
Source: independentsector.org
Source: Spring 2022 survey
High School Class of 2022
SENIORS
U.S.: 19.8; LA: 18.1; EBR: 17.5
2- or 4-year schools
Senior Spotlights
Young Hero
Victoria Williams (Baton Rouge Magnet High School ’22) was named a 2022 Louisiana Young Hero, an honor at least one BRYC Fellow has held for the past six years. Keep Reading
FOSSI Future
Taylan Legarde (Madison Preparatory Academy ’22) is the recipient of a $40,000 scholarship from the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI). Keep Reading
BY THE NUMBERS
College Fellows & Alumni
577
COLLEGE FELLOWS & ALUMNI
313
ENROLLED IN UNDERGRAD
94
COLLEGES IN
26 STATES + D.C.
139
DEGREE
HOLDERS
15
ADVANCED
DEGREES
20
MILITARY
SERVICE
Persistence
BRYC 2– & 4-YR
DEGREE COMPLETION RATE
(OVERALL FELLOWSHIP)
BRYC 4-YR
DEGREE COMPLETION RATE
(BACHELOR’S SEEKING)
BRYC 4-YR
DEGREE COMPLETION RATE (OVERALL FELLOWSHIP)
U.S. 4-YR
DEGREE COMPLETION RATE
(LOWER-INCOME STUDENTS)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics
BRYC's First Four-Year Cohort Graduates College
Top: The first class of four-year Fellows show off their legacy rings
Bottom: Class of 2018 Senior Fellows and the BRYC team at the Fellowship Banquet
Shaniah Bethley
Louisiana State UniversityShaniah Bethley (Baton Rouge Magnet High School) graduated from Louisiana State University in December 2021, but there was one more hurdle to clear before moving on to veterinary school. And it was an apt one: the Military Occupational Specialist (MOS) qualifying exam for animal care (68T), a specialty originally designed to train veterinarians for military horses. Shaniah passed her exam, and now this active-duty graduate is ready for her next big leap: doctor of veterinary medicine.
Trinity Brown
Southeastern Louisiana University“Hustle” might as well be Trinity Brown’s (Baton Rouge Magnet High) middle name. The mass communication major with a concentration in multimedia journalism held down three jobs in addition to studying, two of which provided hands-on journalism experience: reporting for Southeastern’s student newspaper and student news channel. She was also involved in multiple organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and served as a collegiate executive board member for the NAACP Louisiana State Conference. Trinity recently celebrated her acceptance into the master’s in journalism program at LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication. Since January 2022, she’s been sharing some of her precious time with BRYC, working as an admissions coordinator and tech associate. We’ll miss her when classes start, but we know Trinity’s hustle game will stay strong through grad school, a career as a news reporter, or wherever her talent leads.
Ron’Janiele “Nelly” Bruce
Tulane UniversityThe always exceptional Ron’Janiele “Nelly” Bruce (Liberty Magnet High School) received the Presidential Service Award for her involvement in BRYC high school programs, and she was recently awarded Tulane’s Center for Public Service’s Jim Runsdorf Excellence in Public Service Student Award, the highest award for community engagement graduating students can receive. A Weatherhead Scholar and Newman Civic Fellow, Nelly devoted herself to creating lasting change for other students, especially those who have experienced similar struggles to her own as a Black Queer woman. She leaves Tulane with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, social policy and practice, and a minor in English; a full-time job with murmuration, an NYC-based educational equity company; and zero student debt, thanks to an institutional scholarship worth more than $280,000 the BRYC team helped her to secure.
Markayla Collins
Centenary College of LouisianaWith nearly 600 BRYC College Fellows and Alumni, newly-minted College Fellows often have entire communities waiting for them when they begin freshman year. But Markayla Collins (Liberty Magnet High School) knew Centenary College of Louisiana was the right fit for her, even though she’d be the first BRYC Fellow on campus. Four years later, she still feels that way, writing in a recent Instagram post: “Thank you for challenging me in every aspect of life. Thank you for everlasting friendships. Thank you for helping me become the woman I am today. I am so grateful that I was able to attend Centenary.” Not only was her experience everything she hoped for – and more – but she paved the way for another BRYC Fellow, Kenan Cooper, to make his mark on Centenary two years later. If more BRYC Fellows make their way there, Markayla won’t be far. They’ll find her teaching sixth-grade math at Shreveport’s Fair Park Middle School.
Deventria Curtis
Louisiana State UniversityAs any college grad knows, earning one degree takes a staggering amount of effort. But Deventria Curtis (Liberty Magnet High School) had the work ethic and willpower to go after two, graduating from Louisiana State University’s E. J. Ourso College of Business with a degree in marketing and another in entrepreneurship. With the strength of a Tiger, she accomplished more in four years than many do in a lifetime. For this, she thanks her mentors and supporters, including her BRYC family. Next up, Deventria will take on the corporate world working with Walmart Corporation.
Katelyn Guillory
Southern University and A&M CollegeSince she was a little girl, Katelyn Guillory (Baton Rouge Magnet High School) knew she wanted to work in healthcare. Witnessing her mother manage the difficult delivery of Katelyn’s younger brother, Katelyn recognized the power of nurses not only to heal, but to ease tension and calm fear in even the riskiest hospital room. Over 10 years later, Katelyn was among the first four College Fellows to receive a $10,000 Health Fellows Scholarship, and she’s now a Southern graduate with a job lined up at St. Mary’s Hospital in Shreveport, La. “It’s my goal throughout my nursing career to implement practices that promote self-evaluation by medical professionals so that those who have been historically oppressed and ignored receive the care they deserve,” shared Katelyn. “All health professionals have a responsibility to interrogate personal biases and prevent them from negatively impacting the care of another human being.”
Shayla Hastings
University of MiamiNot many have COO on their résumé before college graduation, but Shayla Hastings (Liberty Magnet High School) wasn’t your average college student. While studying communication at the University of Miami, she served as chief operating officer for Ketáb, a Miami-based tutoring nonprofit. Disciplined and focused, Shayla also completed undergrad a full year early, graduating in May 2021. She briefly came home to Baton Rouge, even joining the BRYC team for a semester, before jetting across the pond. Now a Londoner, she’s pursuing a master’s degree in advertising and public relations at Richmond, The American International University and interning for CCD PR & Digital.
Nyah Johnson
Louisiana State UniversityMulti-talented Nyah Johnson (McKinley Senior High School) pursued a degree in political communication at Louisiana State University’s Manship School of Mass Communication while running a successful styling service, specializing in natural hair care and silk press treatments. Juggling classes and curl patterns may not seem easy, but Nyah’s long-term goals include attending cosmetology school, then earning an MBA so she can take her business to the next level. Given her already considerable skills, Nyah’s well on her way to CEO status.
Andrea Loyd
North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State UniversityAfter climbing the ladder of several North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (NC A&T) student organizations, Andrea Loyd (Liberty Magnet High School) was charged with overseeing them all when she was elected president of the NC A&T Council of Presidents by a vote of her peers. Transparency, developing new resources for student leaders, and setting up the next council team for success were top of mind. “The beauty of this position is that I’ve grown my network; bettered my speaking skills; and learned to delegate, resolve and prevent conflict, and prioritize responsibilities,” she shared last fall. “I also find joy in leading an organization I love.”
Imani McCullam
University of Louisiana–Lafayette“The only place ‘success’ comes before ‘work’ is in the dictionary.” Imani McCullam (Baton Rouge Magnet High School) says she learned this lesson at BRYC and carried it with her through four years of performing arts training at ULL, where she appeared in productions of “As You Like It,” “The House That Will Not Stand,” and “Stupid F*cking Bird,” a contemporary adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s 1896 play “The Seagull.” Wherever Imani goes, the spotlight is sure to follow!
Garrinecia Singleton
Rhodes CollegeFormer Louisiana Young Hero and Gate Scholarship finalist Garrinecia Singleton (Scotlandville Magnet HIgh School) took a leap of faith by leaving Baton Rouge for Rhodes College in Tennessee, which awarded her a scholarship worth more than $250,000. Studying psychology allowed Garrinecia to leverage some difficult life experiences in service of others, and she has big dreams of working in the mental health field. But before her career can take off, there’s another big move ahead: She’s been accepted to the professional counseling graduate program at Texas Wesleyan University. Executive Director Lucas Spielfogel refers to Garrinecia as having “a light inside of her,” a light that’s kept burning by her fierce determination to survive – and shine.
Leading by Example
Donovan Thomas
Howard University
A founding member of BRYC’s Journalism Club, Donovan Thomas (Baton Rouge Magnet High School ‘18, Howard ’22) knew that history is made by the people who write about it. Centering Black voices and experiences in the press would become his life’s mission. Donovan rose to editor-in-chief of Howard University’s student newspaper and, as the inaugural Ida B. Wells Fellow at The New York Times, was part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team. He also covered crime and courts for The Washington Post’s metro desk. Before graduating from Howard this spring, Donovan was offered a place in the Columbia University School of Journalism’s master’s program. Instead, he accepted a prestigious position as a Report for America reporter with the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
JaMarcus Spears
Louisiana State University
JaMarcus Spears (Central High School ‘18, Louisiana State University ‘22) didn’t join BRYC until senior year, yet his larger-than-life presence and megawatt smile quickly became legend. He threw himself full-force into the college admissions process, ultimately enrolling at Morehouse. Later, JaMarcus transferred to Louisiana State University, where, this past May, he crossed the stage in Tiger Stadium to receive a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. The adventure continues next fall, when you’ll find him at Louisiana State University’s Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, pursuing a master’s degree in public health administration. Not just a BRYC legend, JaMarcus also left a legacy. His sister Jada joined BRYC’s Class of 2021 and is now enrolled at Louisiana State University – another legacy in the making for the Spears’ family.
BY THE NUMBERS
Organization
COLLEGE GRADUATES
Mariah Alexander
Liberty Magnet High School ‘18
Louisiana State University ‘22
Sociology
TyQuencia Azard
Scotlandville Magnet High School ‘18
Fortis College ‘22
Pharmacy Tech
Shaniah Bethley†
Baton Rouge Magnet High School ‘18
Louisiana State University ‘21
Veterinary Medicine and MOS Animal Care
Trinity Brown†
Baton Rouge Magnet High School ‘18
Southeastern Louisiana University ‘22
Journalism
Ron’Janiele “Nelly” Bruce†
Liberty Magnet High School ‘18
Tulane University ‘22
Political Science and Social Policy & Practice
Markayla Collins†
Liberty Magnet High School ‘18
Centenary College of Louisiana ‘22
Psychology
Deventria Curtis†
Baton Rouge Magnet High School ‘18
Louisiana State University ‘22
Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Joneisha Franklin
Madison Preparatory Academy ‘18
Southern University and A&M College ‘22
Nursing
Katelyn Guillory*†
Baton Rouge Magnet High School ‘18
Southern University and A&M College ‘22
Nursing
Destiny Harrell
East Feliciana High School ‘18
Alcorn State University ‘22
Business Administration
Shayla Hastings†
Liberty Magnet High School ‘18
University of Miami ‘21
Richmond, The American University ‘23
Communication
Elissa Henderson*
Scotlandville Magnet High School ‘18
Southeastern Louisiana University ‘22
Psychology
Christalyn Hill
Central High School ‘18
Howard University ‘22
Sports Medicine
Malik Johnson
Liberty Magnet High School ‘18
Howard University ‘22
Architecture & Design Studies
Mickenzie Johnson
Woodlawn High School ‘18
Southern University and A&M College ‘22
Business Management
Nyah Johnson†
McKinley Senior High School ‘18
Louisiana State University ‘22
Mass Communication
Talaya Johnson
Madison Preparatory Academy ’18
Southern University and A&M College ’22
Nursing
Andrea Loyd†
Liberty Magnet High School ‘18
North Carolina A&T State University ‘22
Accounting
Kearstein McGee
Scotlandville Magnet High School ‘18
Southern University and A&M College ‘22
Mass Communication
Halle (Burton) McKinley
EBR Lab Academy ‘12
Southeastern Louisiana University ‘22
Business
LaKiya Nash
Glen Oaks High School ‘17
Southern University and A&M College ‘22
Nursing
Heather Randolph
Liberty Magnet High School ’18
Spring Hill College ’22
Criminology
Alexis Pierre
Woodlawn High School ‘18
University of New Orleans ‘22
Business
Christian Riley
Woodlawn High School ‘18
Loyola University New Orleans ‘22
Digital Filmmaking
Taylor Scott, PhD
Belaire High School ‘11
University of Wisconsin-Madison ‘15
Louisiana State University ‘22
English
Garrinecia Singleton†
Scotlandville Magnet High School ‘18
Rhodes College ‘22
Psychology
Amyri Smith
Belaire High School ‘18
Southern University and A&M College ‘22
Social Work
JaMarcus Spears
Central High School ‘18
Louisiana State University ‘22
Kinesiology
Kari Stephens
Baton Rouge Magnet High School ‘18
Louisiana State University ‘22
Social Work
Donovan Thomas
Baton Rouge Magnet High School ‘18
Howard University ‘22
Journalism
Tionne Valentine
Woodlawn High School ‘18
University of Southern Mississippi ‘22
Political Science
Deasia Ware
Scotlandville Magnet High School ‘18
Southeastern Louisiana University ‘21
Accounting
Marlaina Washington
Zachary High School ‘17
Loyola University New Orleans ‘22
Psychology
Jasmine Watson
Madison Preparatory Academy ‘17
Baton Rouge Community College ‘19
Southern University and A&M College ‘21
Capital Area Regional Training Academy ‘22
Law Enforcement
Mackenzie Wilson*
McKinley Senior High School ‘18
Louisiana State University ‘22
Biology
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
Ascension Christian High School
Gianni Taylor*
Baton Rouge Magnet High School
Alissa Booker
Kaitlyn Bradford
Amir Dotson
Raelyn Edwards†
Ariana Jaeger†
Zoe Jones
Arin Lacey
Celeste Lovelady
Niya Mogheeth
Aarinii Parms-Green
Jasmine Thibodeaux†
Victoria Williams
Zoe Williams
Collegiate Academy
Malik Bell†
Dutchtown High School
Brayli Wright^
Istrouma High School
Thailan Bell
Shenita Jackson
Dalaila Scaife†
Liberty Magnet High School
Cameron Baker†
Mya Beathley^†
Lance Brooks
Esther Clementine
K’ylen Duhe*
Lauren Dukes^†
Nyla Gayle*^†
Kamryn Griffin
Chandler Harris
Jayla Hill*
Cameron LeBrane*
Antonecia Monroe
Nyria Mustiful
Torrian Prater
Patricia Saidu*
Jada Smith
Madison Preparatory Academy
Apryl Cage
Taylan Legarde
Taylor Parker (salutatorian)
McKinley High School
Jakorey Kinchen
Malea Price
Vivian Robinson
Chun Hui Situ
Lekeitron Young^
Mentorship STEAM Academy
Andria Jackson
Lillian Johnson
Amauri Moye
Plaquemine Senior High School
Bruce Greene, Jr.
Scotlandville Magnet High School
Terrance Banks^†
Telia Coleman
Ty’Lia Coleman
Jayla Goudeau
Chandra Horton†
Kelvin Powell^
Sirr Williams^†
Jada Womack
St. Amant High School
Ashleigh Hearn†
West Feliciana High School
Donovin Rogers
Wilkinson County, Miss.
Laila Montgomery^
Zachary High School
Taylor Addison†
Briyanni Dunn
Ekene Ejiofor*
Amaya Givens
Kaleb Huggins
Taliyah Keller
LaNay Mealey^
* Health Fellows Scholarship Recipient
^ 2021-2022 Community Leader
† Four-year Fellow
BRYC’S fiscal year 2022 impact report presents information about activities that took place between July 2021 and June 2022. The data is accurate as of the date of publication (June 16, 2022). Please contact Elin Hawkinson with questions about the report.
