| Dear Friends,
Summer is here and while many of us will be enjoying the cadence that it brings, the Minds Matter family is continuing to hold our pace for success. It’s been a busy few months as our graduating students waited anxiously for those magic words “Congratulations we would like to welcome you to…”
And indeed they have. As the Minds Matter’s network continues to grow, we celebrate the graduating class of 2022 as they take their next big step as freshman in some of the top universities in the country. |
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| For many of our students, summer is a time to keep pushing towards their goals! To prepare them for college life, our students participate in summer programs. We’ve been fortunate that colleges and universities so value our work and are invested in our students’ success that partners such as Brown, Cornell, Harvard, Stanford, Boston University, and many more have provided almost $300,000 in financial aid for our students enrolling in summer programs. |
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| The Minds Matter chapters and national team have been busy sharing our mission with our greater community! Notably, Sara Elaqad, the Executive Director of Minds Matter Cleveland recently did a local news spotlight with WKYC that highlighted Cleveland’s program, impact, and community network. She noted that Minds Matter is a “community of opportunity” that “makes sure our students have every tool at their disposal” to succeed as they apply and go through college. |
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| Additionally, Minds Matter National’s CEO, Patrick Corvington, joined a group of thought leaders at a Brookings Institute event titled “Who You Know: The role of social capital in uplifting young Americans.” During the panel discussion, Patrick linked the Minds Matter mission to leveraging the social capital of youth as they approach college attainment, success, and beyond. |
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| Summer Success: Minds Matter Crosses Generations |
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 This year we have a special Minds Matter family connection. Dr. Arthur Tinoco, a Minds Matter alum, has turned the Minds Matter spirit into a successful career in academia as a Chemistry Professor at the University of Puerto Rico. When he received a prestigious National Science Foundation grant and needed interns, where did he turn for help? He went to his Minds Matter family and selected Kiara Luna and Nancy Garcia from Minds Matter Chicago to support him in his research with paid internships. Kiara and Nancy are in Puerto Rico this Summer working on diabetes and cancer research. That’s what happens in the Minds Matter family, you have a profound experience and reach back to bring others along. |
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| Graduation Highlights: A Long Journey, A Beautiful Ending |
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| Each year, all of our chapters celebrate the success of their Seniors. Here are a few highlights from this year:
Minds Matter Southern California
On Sunday, June 5th, the Minds Matter Southern California community gathered in person to celebrate the graduation and outstanding accomplishments of the Class of 2022. These students demonstrated the necessary drive to get through their journey – 87% of the class were accepted to schools in the top 50 News and World Report. If that weren’t enough, six have been accepted as Questbridge Scholars and two as Gates Scholars.
Alyzee, one of the student keynote speakers for graduation, reflected on an experience she had at their senior retreat. While on the climbing wall, exhaustion set in and she felt like she had to quit. After looking down at her cheering Minds Matter classmates, she dug deep to make it to the top of the wall. Later when she addressed her fellow Class of 2022, she reminded them that as first-generation college students they will face many hard climbs, but they can always count on their Minds Matter community to support them through their journey. |
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Minds Matter Philadelphia
 Last week, the Minds Matter Philadelphia class of 2022 also completed its journey. Like every other class in the Minds Matter network, they too had to navigate the tough waters of Covid, online schooling, and being disconnected from their peers. Amina, one of the extraordinary graduates from this cohort, was one of only 24 students in the country who was awarded Nike’s Jordan Brand full scholarship. Among her many supporters, Amina credits the extraordinary relationship she had with her mentor as a pillar of her success. “Having a mentor whose main focus was my success was more than uplifting, it created a never-ending motivation to achieve my goals.” She will be attending Howard University this fall and plans to double major in psychology and social work. She hopes to “make real change in minority communities around the country by advocating for mental health awareness in teenagers.” Congratulations to Amina, we will continue to celebrate your milestones as you achieve this dream! |
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| The journey continues! All of our Minds Matter students are starting their summer of excellence and the Minds Matter graduates are marching on to the next phase of success. This dedicated work happens through our fourteen chapters across the country. The chapters are the ones that find young people that have the grit and brilliance to be Minds Matter students. They find the volunteer mentors that are willing to be woven into young people’s lives every Saturday for three years. Our chapters create the Minds Matter family that endures across classes and generations. Support the Minds Matter family – it’s what makes the difference. |
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| Always grateful,
Ashish Shah and Leanne Huebner
National Board Co-Chairs
Patrick Corvington
CEO, Minds Matter National |
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OUR MISSION:
Minds Matter connects driven and determined students from low income families with the people, possibilities, and preparation to succeed in college, create their futures, and change the world. |
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