After-school program is one of three nonprofits receiving recognition
Pathways to College has been named the nation’s Luminary Award winner, providing a donation of $1,000 from YFJ Consulting and Allies in Action through their Allies Give 2021 philanthropic portfolio. The Luminary Award recognizes that Pathways to College earned the top rating in this year’s portfolio based on excellence in the following areas: depth of work with communities of color, the level of participation by people of color in volunteer and leadership positions, a diversified funding stream and demonstration of impact.
“The Luminary Award indeed illuminates the path to brighter, more successful futures through higher education, for several dozen African American and other high school students of color,” said Judith Berry Griffin, founder and president of Pathways to College. “This gift embodies the generosity of the philanthropic community in creating opportunities for children of color.”
Since 2003, Pathways to College has nurtured the dreams of African American and other high school students of color, known as Scholars, by providing an after-school program that provides coaching in the critical thinking skills and habits of mind that research deems necessary for academic and career success.
Program hallmarks include a 100% college acceptance rate for graduating Scholars and a caring, family environment created by outstanding teachers. Students are selected based on potential, not necessarily prior performance.
Donations to Pathways to College are currently doubled through a matching program from the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation.
Throughout this year’s challenges, Pathways to College has continued its dedication to youth impacted most by the pandemic by ensuring crucial connections between Scholars and their teachers, during both virtual schooling and the return to school buildings.
In addition, Pathways to College accomplished the following in 2021:
- Expanded its work in Newark (New Jersey) to all six of the city’s comprehensive public high schools.
- Launched the virtual National Scholars Program, which is serving the Central and Eastern time zones.
- Published Scholar and alumni writers and artists in annual Scholar Voices literacy magazine, and named nine student award winners.
- Engaged a national audience during the McGraw Prize Webinar with a presentation from Founder and President Judith Berry Griffin, a former McGraw Prize winner.
YFJ Consulting, LLC provides non-profit organizations expertise in fundraising, special events and philanthropic counsel in order to achieve success.
Allies in Action is a group of white allies working in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors who are committed to advancing equity in their organizations and fields. Allies in Action’s work is based upon four pillars: Education, Legislation, Inclusion and Action. Supporting communities of color represents a key component of the pledge they have made to create more inclusive and welcoming environments for all people through taking philanthropic action.
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Contact: Alyssa Alston, Director of Communications
communications@pathwaystocollege.org | 202-924-1691
Pathways to College is an after-school program providing information, guidance and support to help African American and other students of color become the best high school students, college applicants and college students they can be. Although we welcome all students of color, we focus on under-served African American high school students, whose potential has been marginalized for generations.