Give Something Back

This , we're highlighting woman who have been pioneers and defenders for women in education. Malala has been a beacon of resilience and advocacy for girls' education worldwide. Born in Pakistan, Malala's father believed in equal education rights, a belief she inherited. Despite the hurdles, including surviving an attack from the Taliban, she persevered. Alongside her father, Malala established the "Malala Fund," championing girls' and women's right to education, earning her the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. She continues to fight for this cause while being a student herself, proving that the power of education can change the world.

Meet Bryan Stevenson, the founder and Executive Director of Equal Justice Initiative. His dedication to human rights has led to monumental legal victories, from eliminating unfair sentencing to exonerating innocent prisoners. His relentless fight for justice has brought relief to hundreds wrongly convicted. Follow his inspiring journey towards creating a fairer legal system.

Celebrating Dr. Edmund Gordon, one of the founders of the Head Start Program. His vision wasn't just about enhancing education for young students, but also about uplifting communities and families by providing opportunities otherwise inaccessible.

Celebrating F***y Jackson Coppin - the first African American Principal. Born into slavery and freed at the age of 12, she seized every opportunity to study and learn. Accepted into Oberlin College, she devoted her nights to teaching African Americans to read and write at no cost. Her journey from student to teacher, principal, and superintendent is a testament to her indomitable spirit and dedication to education.

Celebrating Charles Hamilton Houston, the first general counsel of the NAACP. His legal brilliance exposed the emptiness of the "separate but equal" doctrine and paved the way for the Supreme Court ruling against school segregation. He's rightfully known as "The Man Who Killed Jim Crow."

“Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit other because of your own limited imagination.” - Mae Jemison

Mae Jemison reached for the stars as she was the first Black woman in space. Originally from Decatur, Alabama, Mae and her family moved to Chicago for better educational opportunities. She attended Stanford on a National Achievement Scholarship where she served as the head of the Black Student Union. She continued her education at Cornell University Medical College and became a doctor of medicine. On June 4th, 1987, she was the first Black woman to be admitted into the NASA astronaut training program and on September 12, 1992, she flew into space with six other astronauts aboard the Endeavour.

Do you know who the first Black president of an American college was?

Martin Henry Freeman was born in Rutland, Vermont in 1826 and attended Middlebury College where he graduated as salutatorian. He moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and became a professor of science and mathematics at the Allegheny Institute, later Avery College, a state-chartered college founded to educate African Americans. He was named president of the college in 1856.

Celebrating the foundation of the first HBCU, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania! On February 25, 1837, Quaker philanthropist Richard Humphreys established what was then called the African Institute, dedicating 10% of his estate to educating Black youth. It was renamed the Institute of Colored Youth in 1852, and continues its legacy of empowerment and education today.

Today, we celebrate the resilience and determination of the teacher and educator, Mary Jane Patterson. Mary Jane Patterson is considered to be the first African American woman to receive a B.A when she graduated from Oberlin College in 1862. Mary Jane was born into slavery in 1840. Her family moved to Oberlin, Ohio during the mid-1850s. She completed her preparatory coursework at Oberlin College and, rather than transitioning into Oberlin’s two-year program for women, she defied the odds and enrolled in the school’s “gentlemen’s course”. This was a four-year program of classical studies that led to a Bachelor of Art with high honors in 1862. After defying the odds, Mary Jane Patterson went on to teach in Chillicothe, Ohio, and later in Philadelphia and Washington D.C.

Give Back is proud to celebrate ! Throughout February, we will shine a spotlight on remarkable African Americans who've significantly contributed to the realm of academia. Their invaluable contributions have shaped the way we learn and grow today. Remember, Black History is American History!

Our final speaker is Lisa Chamness. Lisa is the Director of Partnerships for Dwyer Workforce Development, an organization that provides training and job placement for people interested in medical careers. Dwyer offers students free training to become a Certified Nursing assistant, places them in jobs and then helps them get additional training and certifications to advance their career. Looking forward to hearing from Lisa!

Meet Dayana Marti, one of our featured speakers at this Saturday's Virtual Career Fair! An artist rooted in creativity, Dayana splits her time between Miami and her native Venezuela. When she moved to Miami and faced challenges in her professional field, she chose to embrace her creative roots and established herself as a painter. We can't wait for you to hear her inspiring journey!

Tiana Williams will be sharing her knowledge with our scholars this Saturday. Tiana is currently the Assistant Director of Development for Howard University in Washington DC. Tiana was a college athlete at the University of New Haven where she earned both a BA and Masters in Sports Management. In her career she has been a coach, a professor and administrator at several different universities.

Janay Harris will be taking the virtual stage this Saturday. Janay works with the non-profit Vehicles for Change which helps train people to have successful careers in Auto Mechanics. Janay and one of her recent graduates will share how this rewarding career can set you up for success.

Misha Gonz-Cirkl () will be at our Virtual Career Fair! Misha is a native New Yorker born and raised in the South Bronx. She is an actor, writer, director and producer. She is currently on the Apple TV hit Swagger. Lets give Misha a warm Give Back welcome!

We’re excited to announce our speakers and area if interest for our first Virtual Career Fair of 2024! We look forward to seeing you all on Saturday!

We will be joined by Coach Bernard Clark, Jr.. Coach Clark is the head football coach for Robert Morris University, a Division 1 school near Pittsburgh, PA. Coach Clark played Division 1 football for the University of Miami before playing in the NFL for both the Cincinnati Bengals and the Seattle Seahawks.