Bronx Letters Foundation couldn’t be more thrilled to announce that we’ve formed a junior board for up-and-coming activists and philanthropists. We recently sat down with Sarah Coleman (junior board and Trustee) and Jenna Carr (junior board) to talk about the new venture.
What drew you to Bronx Letters?
A friend invited me to the annual Food for Thought Event. I met the students from the Bronx Letters Academy and I was hooked. It was an honor to meet the students, hear about their dreams, and see their drive. By the time I left the event, I was committed to becoming a full-fledged junior board member.
With so much happening in the world right now, what is it about Bronx Letters that's compelling? I am passionate about equal education opportunities and education being a catalyst for change. An education develops perspectives, provides insights, encourages critical thinking, and ultimately fosters young adults who will change the world.
Tell us a little more about the group.
Our wide array of professional and educational skills creates a well-rounded voice. Diversifying and expanding our board in an intentional way is a high priority. We want to be representative of the students we are serving and believe that a diverse board will better us all by bringing different lived experiences to the discussion table.
What do you hope to accomplish?
In these unprecedented times, we want to make a bigger effort to spread the word about BAL. These students are working so hard to create positive next steps in their lives, and we want to support them as much as we can as they navigate school and the college process in an extremely challenging environment.
What sorts of fun things are on the drawing board?
We’re planning a speaker series to bring in young, working, professionals who can share insight into their backgrounds and how they have landed on their current professional track. In this series, we are going to feature a diverse group of different races, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Anything else you’d like to say to anyone considering joining the Junior Board?
The junior board is extremely entrepreneurial and we have an incredible opportunity to really take our ideas and make them realities. The General Board is so supportive of our mission as the younger generation in pursuit of real change. The commitment level is truly what you make of it -- we want passionate members who want to help these kids in the best way they know how.
Junior Board, Bronx Letters Foundation
Sarah Coleman // Jenna Carr // Andrea Herrera // Hayden Jardine // Jacob Benedict // Connie Chang // Sidney Draughon