Inspiring Success Stories
There wouldn't be any of these inspiring stories without the eye-opening conundrum stories that All Out For Change® seeks to solve.
Anthony Keeps Soaring Higher
News4's Darcy Spencer reports on the highs and lows of his journey.
News4's Darcy Spencer reports on the highs and lows of his journey.
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Watch the NBC4 Washington Interview that Followed Anthony's Outstanding Performance Last Month. We hope all beneficiaries of All OutFor Change® awards continue to excel and share in the same good fortune on their journey as Anthony has, now a senior at Oberlin, and chosen by Cantate as their first Young Artist of Color. With this honor he’ll receive mentoring, career guidance and professional networking support. What great timing as he’s on track to graduate Spring 2022, and Cantate is there for him! Congrats, Anthony!!!
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Summer 2021 Oberlin Opera Theater presents "EMPEROR NORTON". We’re excited about Anthony’s progress as a scholarship student at Oberlin Conservatory, who has received 2 grants from All Out for Change® since 2017. Watch his performance.
Learn how we helped an aspiring young opera singer soar . . . with your help we can do more!
Anthony, recipient of our first 2017 College Access Grant: Get the picture, Our first grant recipient’s inspiring story and Today Show segment illustrate how potential is mined when embraced by a nonprofit program and strangers who “get the picture”, care, and contribute funds to achieve aspirations."I’m blessed," Anthony remarked, when we first met. And that, he is: with talent for opera, his voice; acceptance into an extraordinary nonprofit program (that we support) from 6th through 12th grades and into a public magnet school for the arts where his gift was nurtured. The only crucial thing missing? The Money… to pay off first-term college debt and release his transcripts to apply to, audition at and visit universities and music conservatories… in hopes of receiving a generous scholarship.
Anthony, recipient of our first 2017 College Access Grant: Get the picture, Our first grant recipient’s inspiring story and Today Show segment illustrate how potential is mined when embraced by a nonprofit program and strangers who “get the picture”, care, and contribute funds to achieve aspirations."I’m blessed," Anthony remarked, when we first met. And that, he is: with talent for opera, his voice; acceptance into an extraordinary nonprofit program (that we support) from 6th through 12th grades and into a public magnet school for the arts where his gift was nurtured. The only crucial thing missing? The Money… to pay off first-term college debt and release his transcripts to apply to, audition at and visit universities and music conservatories… in hopes of receiving a generous scholarship.
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He’s very lucky his situation was published in the newspaper. Watch the Today Show segment about his struggles he faced in pursuit of his dream and how his luck turns things around.
Anthony, the aspiring opera singer and recipient of our first 2017 College Access Grant, accepted a full scholarship to Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He used the All Out for Change® grant for applications and travel expenses for colleges visits, interviews, and auditions. When we met in May 2018 for a recap he shared the scholarship outcomes and his decision. With gratitude for all the support he received on his journey over the years he remarked, “It really does take a village!” |
Followup Fall 2020 with Anthony: We reached out to Anthony recently to find out how he’s been doing at Oberlin and if he needed additional support. And, yes: in order to perform better in school he needed an iPad. With the iPad he produced his solo opera fall 2020 semester project and posted it on YouTube: A House Is Not A Home.
Several generous supporters contributed toward the Supplemental Scholarship Award to cover the iPad. It’s hard to conceive of how much a tool like that means for him today, and his future. Mitch, our Mac wizard, says, “it’s like giving an instrument to a musician”; and he added it enables Anthony to further develop technical skills that will be of great value for a talented vocalist.
Anthony reported, “The iPad was my main tool in filming this project and learning how to use the iMovie software. It stood its own in holding space for all the video material whilst making sure that the videos were of magnificent quality! … I'm so glad that I was able to begin learning these skills and incorporating them into my work during such a time of uncertainty.”
Several generous supporters contributed toward the Supplemental Scholarship Award to cover the iPad. It’s hard to conceive of how much a tool like that means for him today, and his future. Mitch, our Mac wizard, says, “it’s like giving an instrument to a musician”; and he added it enables Anthony to further develop technical skills that will be of great value for a talented vocalist.
Anthony reported, “The iPad was my main tool in filming this project and learning how to use the iMovie software. It stood its own in holding space for all the video material whilst making sure that the videos were of magnificent quality! … I'm so glad that I was able to begin learning these skills and incorporating them into my work during such a time of uncertainty.”
Listen to his September 2020 recording of 'Deep River', accompanied by pianist, Thomas Bandy.
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Dimetreus (“Meechy”) graduates from Norfolk State University Spring 2020!
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Dimetreus (“Meechy”), Dean's List certificate in hand, graduates from Norfolk State University Spring 2020. What an admirable achievement given he overcame periodic homelessness, and grew up in a household with substance abuse and extreme poverty. Meechy’s accomplishments in the face of extreme adversity illustrate how fortunate he is to be among the participants in a college prep program we support, and how effective outstanding youth development programs can be in facilitating success regardless of adversity. We wish similar successes for Meechy's peers and we’re doing our part through our supporters. And it's good to know the iMacs and MacBooks we provided during campus shutdowns gave ambitious program participants the tools to continue on their paths toward high school and college degrees.
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Learn How Our Supporters Have Made a Difference
2021 Highlights: College Access & Supplemental Scholarship Funds Made a Difference for 2021 High School Grads
Yes, it does “take a village”, going All Out for Change® for our youth seeking achievement, degrees, professions, and upward mobility.
Many students are now fortunate scholarship recipients and starting their studies at colleges and universities throughout the country. They benefited from College Access Funds that went toward college prep workshops; tutoring, college and scholarship research assistance and counseling.
How College Access Funds & Computers Made a Difference
16 high school graduates received All Out for Change® Supplemental Scholarship awards: 4 for transportation expenses, and 14 received Mac laptops. Though many students’ families are on the poorer side of the wealth spectrum, the students are rich with potential, and have the good fortune, via a lottery, to receive a top-notch public charter school education where they can cultivate their potential and become competitive college and scholarship candidates with help of a full-time college counselor who we collaborate with. Many of their neighborhood public schools in less affluent zip codes aren’t able to provide for students in this way.
Yes, it does “take a village”, going All Out for Change® for our youth seeking achievement, degrees, professions, and upward mobility.
Many students are now fortunate scholarship recipients and starting their studies at colleges and universities throughout the country. They benefited from College Access Funds that went toward college prep workshops; tutoring, college and scholarship research assistance and counseling.
How College Access Funds & Computers Made a Difference
- Jewel - who received a laptop to complete her studies online, graduated summa cum laude from North Carolina A&T; she plans to teach in a DC public school.
- Kevin & Daivon - in 11th grade, March 2020, without computers when school closed we gave them iMacs to continue the school year online and the college prep program through 12th grade. Kevin received a scholarship to Ohio University to study management information systems; Daivon received a scholarship to Radford University where he will major in aeronautical engineering.
- Dimya - received a scholarship to Radford University to study mechanical engineering.
- Maurice - received a scholarship to University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
- James - a 2020 laptop recipient, made honor-roll throughout high school and received a scholarship to George Mason University for film & video studies.
- Christian, Christopher, David and more… many, at-risk, growing up in dangerous neighborhoods ended up, by fate, serendipity, and good fortune, to connect in high school with an amazing group of tutors and counselors who are educators in math, physics, reading & writing, and college prep guidance.
- London - a pre-med student at Emory University was faced with a tuition gap that we helped cover. To avoid debt every semester, he applies for small scholarships to fill the gap.
16 high school graduates received All Out for Change® Supplemental Scholarship awards: 4 for transportation expenses, and 14 received Mac laptops. Though many students’ families are on the poorer side of the wealth spectrum, the students are rich with potential, and have the good fortune, via a lottery, to receive a top-notch public charter school education where they can cultivate their potential and become competitive college and scholarship candidates with help of a full-time college counselor who we collaborate with. Many of their neighborhood public schools in less affluent zip codes aren’t able to provide for students in this way.
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Helping them move along on their journey toward a degree, a fulfilling profession and upward mobility with a little more ease and less debt is important to us. Donations make their uphill climb less burdensome.
Luz, who’s going to Northeastern University in Boston wrote: "I just wanted to say thanks again for the laptop! It will be a great help to me in college and I appreciate the well wishes.” Skylar, a college scholarship recipient, pictured to the left, with her Supplemental Scholarship awards: gift card for transportation, her MacAir and award letter; she’ll double-major in equine studies and biology en route to her goal of becoming a veterinarian. |
2020 Highlights: 2019 College Access Fund & Emergency Fund Donations Made a Difference for 2020 High School Grads
- Many students are now fortunate scholarship recipients and starting their studies at colleges and universities throughout the country. College Access Funds were used for: Supplemental Scholarship awards; college prep workshops; tutoring, college and scholarship research assistance and counseling; professional development workshops; college tours, fairs and visits, and application fees.
- From the end of March - December 31, 2020, 48 high school and college students faced with campus shutdowns received computers enabling them to complete high school and pursue college degrees. Many of these students were receiving free and reduced price lunches and come from families with very limited financial resources….these computers are life-changing savers!
- COVID Emergency Fund Donations helped American Indian College Scholars complete the school year with funds for food, housing, internet access and computers.
2019 Aspiration Statements & 2020 Accomplishments
Many families don’t have the resources, not only for college and college prep, but also for the basics their sons and daughters will need to pursue their dreams. The fortunate participants in programs that provide college prep and counseling assistance, and professional development programming have the opportunity to envision and prepare for college and professional careers. Your contributions help students fulfill dreams, give economic mobility by opening doors to college, meaningful careers with fruitful salaries and economic independence:
Jamal
"During my senior year, I realized I will be able to pursue a degree at the prestigious Morehouse College where I intend to become President of the student body one day. All the trials and tribulations that I have faced all helped lead to enhanced leadership skills, more involvement in my community, and the need to not only excel inside the classroom but outside.
Followup 2020:
Jamal is attending Morehouse College.
Through all the difficulties, I continue to smile every single day because one can not live a positive life with a negative mindset. One day I hope to inspire those from my community who just like me did not have opportunities, to show them the same water that hardens the egg softens the potato. Your environment does not suggest who you are, only you can."
Janiya
“I attend Benjamin Banneker Academic High School and when I graduate I plan on majoring in Psychology at a university that allows me to intern. My number one school is Winston Salem University in North Carolina. After college I hope to become an intern in a program that allows insight into child development and child therapy. I want to go to college to further my education so that I will be career ready. I am most excited about learning the basics and deeper meaning behind developmental and child psychology. I am a woman of my words and determination that is able to achieve my big goals.”
Followup 2020:
Janiya is heading to Barry University and majoring in Child Development Psychology after taking independent advocacy training for survivors of sexual abuse and stalking.
D’Anthony
“My goal after college is to be working for a major sports broadcasting company like ESPN or Sports Center. I want to be a sports journalist and have the opportunity to write for one of the companies.”
Followup 2020:
D’Anthony is entering Florida A & M fall 2020 and he is excited about hosting workshops in his community after college to help teach kids how to improve their writing skills.
Traneece
“My goal after high school is to go to college and study biochemistry to become a clinical pathologist and have the opportunity to study diseases in the human body.”
Followup 2020:
Traneece, is entering Old Dominion University with her goal of becoming a clinical pathologist in mind.
Delonte
"If I don’t make it in football, during my college years I want to study statistics or be involved in physical therapy. In school, my favorite subject is math, but chemistry is very interesting to me because you learn so much about the science world and important things in your life. In those two subjects I have gotten good scores and grades throughout middle school and high school. Those two subjects are also involved throughout the world, so being proficient in those subjects will help me in other positive ways."
Many families don’t have the resources, not only for college and college prep, but also for the basics their sons and daughters will need to pursue their dreams. The fortunate participants in programs that provide college prep and counseling assistance, and professional development programming have the opportunity to envision and prepare for college and professional careers. Your contributions help students fulfill dreams, give economic mobility by opening doors to college, meaningful careers with fruitful salaries and economic independence:
Jamal
"During my senior year, I realized I will be able to pursue a degree at the prestigious Morehouse College where I intend to become President of the student body one day. All the trials and tribulations that I have faced all helped lead to enhanced leadership skills, more involvement in my community, and the need to not only excel inside the classroom but outside.
Followup 2020:
Jamal is attending Morehouse College.
Through all the difficulties, I continue to smile every single day because one can not live a positive life with a negative mindset. One day I hope to inspire those from my community who just like me did not have opportunities, to show them the same water that hardens the egg softens the potato. Your environment does not suggest who you are, only you can."
Janiya
“I attend Benjamin Banneker Academic High School and when I graduate I plan on majoring in Psychology at a university that allows me to intern. My number one school is Winston Salem University in North Carolina. After college I hope to become an intern in a program that allows insight into child development and child therapy. I want to go to college to further my education so that I will be career ready. I am most excited about learning the basics and deeper meaning behind developmental and child psychology. I am a woman of my words and determination that is able to achieve my big goals.”
Followup 2020:
Janiya is heading to Barry University and majoring in Child Development Psychology after taking independent advocacy training for survivors of sexual abuse and stalking.
D’Anthony
“My goal after college is to be working for a major sports broadcasting company like ESPN or Sports Center. I want to be a sports journalist and have the opportunity to write for one of the companies.”
Followup 2020:
D’Anthony is entering Florida A & M fall 2020 and he is excited about hosting workshops in his community after college to help teach kids how to improve their writing skills.
Traneece
“My goal after high school is to go to college and study biochemistry to become a clinical pathologist and have the opportunity to study diseases in the human body.”
Followup 2020:
Traneece, is entering Old Dominion University with her goal of becoming a clinical pathologist in mind.
Delonte
"If I don’t make it in football, during my college years I want to study statistics or be involved in physical therapy. In school, my favorite subject is math, but chemistry is very interesting to me because you learn so much about the science world and important things in your life. In those two subjects I have gotten good scores and grades throughout middle school and high school. Those two subjects are also involved throughout the world, so being proficient in those subjects will help me in other positive ways."
I’m deeply grateful to all who pitch in.
Read about some eye-opening student conundrums that All Out for Change® supporters help to solve.
