August 29, 2022

While we have had many exceptional students participate in our college planning cohort program, we have only had one student who has participated in our program since the 3rd grade. Pictured here is Kimberly, who, as a sixth grader, received her first Dr. Cassandra Young Marcus Award for Academic Excellence and Leadership awarded by our church, Turner Chapel AME in Marietta, Georgia. As a 3rd grader, Kimberly, set her sights on qualifying for the Marcus Award, presented to the top male and female student in our church in grades 6 – 12. She also set her sights on earning a full college scholarship and learned, through our program, that the most direct pathway to a full college scholarship was academic excellence. However, such a pathway could be further expanded with leadership and service.

As a result of these early conversations to provide guidance, and her own grit and determination, Kimberly became the first 7-year recipient of the Marcus Award at our church and was offered 6 full college scholarships (Amherst College, Duke University, Princeton University, Vanderbilt University, Washington and Lee University, and Williams College). Kimberly has graduated from Williams College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Math and Chemistry and is now pursuing a PhD in Math as a graduate student at Iowa State University.

We believe that Kimberly’s achievements are possible any middle school student who commits to developing their gifts and talents; pursues leadership within the context of their gifts, talents, personality, temperament, and interests; and commits to engaging in meaningful community that results in an indelible impact on their school and community.

Our Focus

The focus of our Emerging Leaders curriculum is to provide a context for the monthly conversations between middle school students, currently attending school in Georgia and Florida. However, our program is open to any middle school who is committed to completing the work needed to prepare for the monthly discussions and participating in each of the 9 monthly discussions from September through May.

Our Emerging Leaders curriculum is supported by a college adviser, high school intern, and guest speakers. Each component of our program is designed to provide support and encouragement as students build their capacities through their emergence as a youth leader.

Students are assigned to discussion groups of 6 – 8 students, guided by a college intern, in a supportive and encouraging environment where they become part of a “Conversational Community” of students from throughout the country with similar hopes and dreams for the future.