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annual report
FISCAL YEAR 2018
Photo by Kenneth White, Jr., Class of 2018

BRYC’s Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Report
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was written by the Fellows — because
there will be nothing about us without us.
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fellow letter
about us
c/o 2 0 1 8 i m pa c t
finances
features
First Four-Year Fellows. Snapshots. HBCUs. College Fellows. Alumni.
community
Team. Board of Directors. VIPs. Guardians. Partners. Supporters. Friends.

By: Ja’Colby Freeman, Class of 2019
It all began with Mrs. Flowers informing my mother about BRYC after
8th grade. I had no clue what I was stepping into when I applied.
My first year was pure enlightenment; I began to realize just how
important my decisions would become in high school. I came into
the program with a stubborn mindset, a know-it-all attitude, all
while remaining introverted. My first weeks I discovered I would be
learning a lot, and that I would have to open up and engage with
the community BRYC fosters. I discovered it was a safe place, one
that allowed me to get to know things I couldn’t understand about
people who weren’t like me - and vice versa.
What makes BRYC special is not its resources for students like me; it’s
what they teach us to do with them. They teach us to self-advocate, by
far my most important BRYC lesson. For me, that means putting myself
out there, building relationships in and outside of the organization.
It means being okay with not knowing and asking questions when I
don’t. That’s been especially true during the college process, which
has presented so many things I thought I understood but didn’t have
a clue about. Self-advocacy means telling my story, being proud even
of the most bitter parts of my past so I could welcome a better future.
All of this has been scary, but that’s what BRYC does: pushes Fellows
to embrace fear as opportunity. The result? I’ve been exposed to a
more colorful world. I’ve also been inspired by BRYC’s altruism to
share the knowledge and skills it has imparted to me with non-BRYC
peers. After all, the need BRYC addresses extends far beyond its walls.
BRYC is well-known for ACT prep, college support, and programs
about leadership. It’s so much more. In my weakest moments, there
was a family for me at BRYC, a support system that uplifted and
pushed me toward relentless growth. From academics, to service, to
performing arts, BRYC was and still is there for all of it, helping turn
my raw potential into endless possibilities. I look back on my four
years with gratitude for the place I’ve maximized my wingspan. Now
I’m ready to fly.
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Photo by Christian Riley, Class of 2018

CORE PURPOSE: CHOICE
Encourage our Fellows and Team to make empowering choices
that will lead to the choices they want in their lives
CORE COMPETENCIES
College
• Personalized admissions, financial aid, matriculation, and
college persistence support
• Standardized test preparation and development of selfregulated
learning skills
Consciousness
• Honing of verbal communication and critical thinking skills
through analysis of social issues
• Training to craft effective personal statements for college
and scholarship applications
Community
• Ever-growing network of resources and relationships - and
coaching on effective self-advocacy
• Empowering support system of motivated youth and caring,
highly-qualified adults
ABOUT US
HISTORY
BRYC was founded in 2009 when Daniel Kahn, then a high school teacher,
recognized that a lack of resources would preclude even his highest-achieving
students from the college success they were capable of realizing.
NEED
There are many driven students in our region’s public high schools who, with the
proper tools, would access the postsecondary opportunities they deserve and
need in order to be economically mobile. But, they lack support at a pivotal time
in their scholastic and personal journeys. There is a widely-held misconception
that students who perform well academically and follow the rules will certainly
realize college success. This assumption generally holds true for students from
educated, affluent families, but it underestimates resource gaps that cause nine
of every ten low-income students who enter four-year college to drop out - and
many not to apply at all.
MISSION
The Baton Rouge Youth Coalition prepares high-achieving, under-resourced high
school students to enter, excel in, and graduate from college so they can become
full participants in society.
CORE VALUES
Our Core Values express what matters most to us, each with a
hand symbol for easy recall and, well, fun. Beneath them are
“Empowering Choices,” the specific ways BRYC Community
members live out our values daily.
Hustle: Go Hard
• Master the material
• Invest in passions
• Plan and execute
Integrity: Be Just
• Know what’s going on
• Represent yourself proudly
• Honor your values
Community: Maximize BRYC
• Love one another
• Show up for BRYC
• Seize opportunities
LANGUAGE MATTERS
• Fellows: our amazing high school students
• Guardians: Fellows’ parents and guardians
• Team: passionate adults who work at BRYC
• VIPs: our dedicated volunteers
VISION
Provide our Fellows the best college-preparatory resources money can buy –
for free.
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ff
class of 2018 impact
BRYC’S LARGEST CLASS TO DATE: 83 Senior fellows
95%
5%
8.3M
3.5M
42%
College
matriculation
Attending 4-year institutions
Attending 2-year institutions
Scholarships
earned
Collective gift aid offered
Collective gift aid redeemed
Attending college debt-free
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National
ACT
PERFORMANCE
2.3 Avg Senior Fellow growth while in BRYC
18.8
EBR Parish
School System
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PERFECT
SCORE
19.5
State
22.5
BRYC
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finances
You have to spend money to make money - clichéd and so true. Fiscal Year
2018 was about capacity building, which required a significant frontend
investment. Most notably we added three full-time positions. A deeper
bench, while more expensive initially, has led to increased programmatic
and administrative effectiveness and, in the long term, financial efficiency.
Thanks to the addition of Associate Director of College Programs Chelsea
Werner, BRYC served 83 Senior Fellows in FY18, compared to 51 the year
prior. Director of Development and Communication Leigh Phillips assumed
all donor management responsibilities, freeing Executive Director Lucas
Spielfogel to focus on major gifts, insuring BRYC’s long-term financial
future. Finally, Managing Director of Community Programs Joshua Howard
launched our first formal suite of post-high school supports while codifying
BRYC’s “Community Model,” our best impression of a residential college
system. Strategic investments in highly-qualified staff, our most valuable
resource, has born fruit evident in this annual report and which you will see
in communication in the months and years to come!
BRYC significantly enhanced all facets
of internal controls and reporting
during FY18. Financial integrity was
improved through increased staff
specialization and board involvement
in expense approval, and the reporting
cycle was reduced from 40 to 15 days.
- Kevin Knobloch,
Board Treasurer
revenue
$840,025
38%
Individual
41%
Foundation
*In Fiscal Year 2018, BRYC leveraged more than $200,000 in in-kind contributions.
20%
Corporate
1%
Earned
EXPENSES
$920,338
*BRYC’s Form 990 and annual financial review / audit are available upon request.
9%
Occupancy
19%
Administration
72%
Program
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jamarcus 2018 persistence hbcu
hustle madison legacy spelman
community bea lsu stem first
gen college fellows mentors
ULL alumni gates southern
amanda four-years rhodes the
howard five questbridge EMMA
snapshots garrinecia integrity
grinnell tyler brcc morehouse
southeastern trailblazers full
participants in society features

a LEGACY of
LEADERSHIP
By: Lucas Spielfogel
When I met our first official class of Freshmen Fellows in the fall of 2014,
I remember thinking they were so young, that it would be an eternity
before I wished them good luck in college. A blink and four years later, the
group that exemplified BRYC Fellowship has matriculated to colleges across
the state and nation.
This powerhouse of a cohort entered BRYC at a time when I was rethinking
what the organization should mean to its young people. As we grew, that year
to 100 Fellows, I wondered how we would be able to serve more and more
youth while maintaining the intimate sense of community which was lauded
as BRYC’s secret sauce. The answer was Fellow engagement. Our youth had to
own BRYC, and these bold freshmen were fit to lead that charge.
The original members of the Class of 2018 embodied the Empowering Choice
“show up for BRYC.” Programs, parties, trips, special initiatives, it didn’t
matter. They were present in full force and vocal about their peers needing
to do the same - to be proud of being Fellows, contribute as least as much as
you reap, and leave BRYC in better shape than you found it. They did that and
then some. Theirs is a legacy of leadership.
LEGACY RINGS
At the 2018 Fellowship Banquet, BRYC introduced a new tradition,
“legacy rings,” to honor our first official group of four-year Fellows.
We hope these rings forever remind four-years of our appreciation
for their long-term commitment to and impact on BRYC.
CENTENARY COLLEGE of LOUISIANA
Shreveport, LA
Markayla Collins
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY and A&M COLLEGE
Baton Rouge, LA
Deventria Curtis, Nyah Johnson, Rodney Nganga
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY
Greensboro, NC
Andrea Loyd
RHODES COLLEGE
Memphis, TN
Garrinecia Singleton
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY and A&M COLLEGE
Baton Rouge, LA
Katelyn Guillory
TULANE UNIVERSITY
New Orleans, LA
Nelly Bruce
Our first four-years gave us the confidence to see BRYC as a community
whose collective impact is far greater than the sum of its college-preparatory
resources. Rather, its power is its people - its young people most of all. It’s
fitting we would send these leaders off as we prepare to celebrate our 10-year
anniversary. Their tenure defined BRYC and will inform our next decade. We
are grateful for them and don’t doubt what their influence will be in college
and beyond.
UNIVERSITY of LOUISIANA at LAFAYETTE
Lafayette, LA
Zhane Harris, Imani McCullam, Jeanne Smith
UNIVERSITY of MIAMI
Coral Gables, FL
Shayla Hastings
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SNAPSHOTS
Obuchi Adikema
This Grinnell sophomore and computer
science and theatre double major spent
summer 2018 as a researcher for Digital
Bridges for Humanistic Inquiry, a threeyear
initiative funded by the Andrew W.
Mellon Foundation, and focused on the
development of digital tools and methods
to strengthen teaching and research in the
humanities.
RAPID-FIRE UPDATES ON OUR
COLLEGE FELLOWS AND ALUMNI
Brianna Hawkins
Even after the Great Flood displaced her at
the start of 12th grade, this Southeastern
Louisiana University sophomore and
communication major is excelling. She
spent freshman year writing for The Lion’s
Roar Newspaper and was recognized by
Southeastern’s Residence Hall Association
for a 3.5+ GPA during her first semester.
Jordan Brumfield
This LSU senior is majoring in information
systems and design — with a focus on
information technology — and will graduate
in May 2019 with an eye toward full-time
cyber security jobs. Meanwhile he’s active
in Delta Sigma Pi, an LSU business school
fraternity that helps its members connect
with professional opportunities.
Darrell Moses
This Southern junior and mechanical
engineering major spent summer 2018
in Ghana designing an inexpensive,
energy-efficient water system to reduce
excess fluoride in local drinking water.
Darrell’s currently training to become the
next president of the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers and, like Kamesha,
volunteers as a BRYC Freshmen Mentor.
Kamesha Brumfield
Breaks from college often mean the end of
college. Not for this LSU senior and biology
major who, after a brief hiatus to care for her
son, is poised to earn her bachelor’s degree.
Kamesha also volunteers as a BRYC
Freshmen Mentor, supporting 9th-grade
Fellows through their high school transition.
Dominique Ricks
With bachelor’s and master’s degrees from
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dom is
dean of students at Glacier Creek Middle
in Madison, where he’s responsible for
promoting positive behavioral expectations,
overseeing discipline, and coordinating
academic and behavioral interventions. He’s
also on a district-level committee focused on
identifying and retaining educators of color.
Brittany Butler
This 2018 Spelman College graduate and
psychology major is pursuing joint graduate
degrees - a Juris Doctorate and Master’s of
Social Work - at Columbia University. Longterm
she will advocate for foster care youth,
a career path Brittany’s uniquely suited to.
Besides being brilliant and relentless, she
was a foster youth herself.
Jonathan Scott
This Morehouse Man, economics major,
and Chinese minor was in BRYC’s second
class. He earned his bachelor’s in May 2016
and currently works outside of Atlanta as
a business analyst for Mansfield Power
and Gas, a natural gas company. Long
term Jonathan aspires to start his own
management consulting firm.
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Obinna Chike
This neuroscience major and Aikido (martial
arts) enthusiast graduated from Tulane
in May 2018 and is preparing to apply
for medical school by taking prerequisite
courses at LSU and studying for the MCAT.
Future Dr. Chike has also found time to assist
with a BRYC fundraiser and tutor Fellows in
science and math.
Jasmine Watson
This Baton Rouge Community College
second-year and criminal justice major gets
buckets as a women’s basketball team walkon.
When not working part-time, attending
class, or breaking ankles, Jasmine inspires
9th-graders as a BRYC Freshmen Mentor.
Next fall she’ll transfer to Southern
University, where after two years she’ll earn
her bachelor’s.

THE
H O WA R D
By: Emily Nichols, Class of 2019
From top to bottom: Donovan Thomas,
Myles Gordon, Jeanette Jackson,
Malik Johnson, Christalyn Hill
Malik and Myles’ photos by
Christian Riley, Class of 2018
Howard University brings to mind images of fabulous
homecomings, vibrant Greek life, and the celebration
of Black higher education. Howard also conjures visions
of distinguished alumni like Thurgood Marshall, Taraji P.
Henson, and Chadwick Boseman. In fall 2018, five Fellows
embarked for Howard hoping to become part of the
school’s storied narrative. Affectionately dubbed “The
Howard Five,” Myles Gordon, Christalyn Hill, Jeanette
Jackson, Malik Johnson, and Donovan Thomas have
begun their journeys of fostering change in the world at
The Howard University!
Starting freshman year, each of The Five wondered, “Will I
have friends?...Thrive hundreds of miles away from home?...
Receive the support I need for academic success?” Those fears
were quelled from the moment they arrived on campus and
experienced Howard’s rich learning environment and engaging
instruction.
Myles complimented the university’s small classes and professors’
instructional techniques saying, “My professors
ask a lot of questions, and we get to have a lot of
discussions. They keep the students engaged.” He
echoes the sentiments of thousands of students
attending historically-Black colleges and universities,
or HBCUs, who appreciate the intimate and captivating
environment. Many have noted that smaller class sizes
allow for dialogue that prompts students to consider a
wide range of perspectives, preparing them to become
impactful citizens post-college.
These College Fellows have also been moved by their peers. “Hearing what
other people have accomplished pushes you to go out and try new stuff to
build your character, résumé, and knowledge,” Christalyn said. “Everybody
has been president of something or established their own club. It makes you
feel like you’re not doing enough, but it pushes you as well.”
The Howard Five have also been inspired
and supported by the two College Fellows
in Howard’s Class of 2021, Armani Brown
and Markelle Dunn. When asked about her
experience attending one of the most highlyregarded
HBCUs in the nation, Armani said,
“Going to an HBCU gives you the space to
define and truly embody Black excellence. It’s
almost like going to a cookout, but before the
cookout, you have class.”
For its prestige and impressive students and
faculty, Howard has been compared to Ivy
League schools, but there is a key difference.
HBCUs — like Southern, Spelman, Bethune-
Cookman, Howard, and many others — remind
us that Black Americans had to fight and die for
equal access to postsecondary education, and in so
many ways that fight continues today. These institutions
bring Black history and culture into focus and create spaces where students
who are used to feeling marginalized feel
valued and united. HBCUs highlight the
“Going to an HBCU gives you the
space to define and truly embody
Black excellence. It’s almost like
going to a cookout, but before the
cookout, you have class.”
incredible diversity among Black people
while celebrating the intellectual and
cultural power that bonds us. The Howard
Five attest to being reminded of their
strength as Black individuals and have been
inspired to pave the way for future students,
as alumni have for them.
We look forward to seeing the impact The
Howard Five will make as they join a legacy of College Fellows and Alumni
who attend and have graduated from HBCUs across the country. More than
that, we look for them to strengthen a tradition of Black postsecondary
education that prepares students not just for professional excellence but
also to become full participants in society.
COLLEGE FELLOWS & ALUMNI AT HBCUs
College Fellow (currently attending) Alumni (graduated)
ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY
CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY
DILLARD UNIVERSITY
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY and A&M COLLEGE
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY at NEW ORLEANS
SPELMAN COLLEGE
(36x)
26%
33%
of BRYC’s College
Fellows attend HBCUs
of BRYC’s Alumni
graduated from HBCUs
MOREHOUSE COLLEGE
XAVIER UNIVERSITY of NEW ORLEANS
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A MAN
of mOREHOUSE
By: Ivori Teasette, Class of 2019
When I hear the phrase “A Man of Morehouse,” College Fellow JaMarcus Spears’
smiling face and effervescent personality come to mind. The oldest of six siblings,
he sets a great example, at home and beyond. At Central High School, JaMarcus was
an athletic trainer for the football and volleyball teams and also served as a student
ambassador. His junior year, he was dead set on attending Howard University, but he
ultimately landed at Morehouse, a top historically Black college, where he is majoring in
biology with dreams of becoming a sports medicine physician for an NFL team.
Although a departure from Howard — another outstanding institution — Morehouse
fits JaMarcus. An all-male college, Morehouse has a rich legacy and unique campus
environment which JaMarcus says he feels welcomed and at home in. Adapting to
campus has not been a problem, as he did plenty of research before moving in.
JaMarcus explained that one only becomes a “Morehouse Man” when he graduates
from Morehouse. “I can’t tell you what it means to be a Morehouse Man because I am
not a Morehouse Man yet,” JaMarcus said. “I am a Man of Morehouse. Being a Man of
Morehouse means representing yourself very well and holding yourself to high standards.
We don’t settle, and we don’t give up. As a Man of Morehouse, it is our mission to become
active, ethical leaders in our communities while uplifting the people around us.”
JaMarcus gives BRYC a lot of credit for his personal development despite joining in
2017 at the beginning of his senior year, later in high school than most Fellows do. That
year his schedule allowed him to be fully committed to the program’s heavy demands.
He says BRYC gave him a space where he could learn to be himself at all times, which
came in handy when he learned he would not be progressing as a finalist for the Gates
Scholarship. When he found out he would not advance, his first reaction was sadness, of
course, but he later realized God had better things in store for him and that it was not the
end of the world. With the BRYC Team and Fellows there to comfort him, he kept pushing
forward, remembering setbacks are necessary parts of pursuing greatness.
JaMarcus is pleased to have two of his siblings follow in his footsteps as Fellows. When
asked why programs like BRYC are so important, JaMarcus responded, “It is very important
for students to begin to get invested in programs like BRYC because that investment is
an investment in your life. BRYC is here for our betterment, not just academically, but
physically and mentally as well. The amount of resources that BRYC offers is needed in
the world today for our youth.”
He is one of BRYC’s most engaged College Fellows and is so passionate about the
program’s impact that he wants to launch a similar initiative one day. JaMarcus Spears is
a special person I will be looking to hear big things from in the future!
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Photo by Kenneth White, Jr., Class of 2018

For anyone going through any type of trauma who is
afraid to speak up, find that one person in this world
who you trust more than anyone, no matter who it is.
As a victim, I know it’s not easy to just come out and
say it, but having that one person you could go to for
anything will be your main anchor for everything. For
those who feel they do not have that connection with
anyone — write. Writing will help you register and
release some of those confusing emotions you may
be feeling. Know that you do not deserve to be going
through anything you may be facing no matter your
race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.
- Garrinecia Singleton
Photo by Kenneth White, Jr., Class of 2018
You never know what someone has overcome. That’s an understatement for
College Fellow Garrinecia Singleton, who suffered an abusive childhood
at the hands of a family member. Instead of derailing her, her challenging
experience drives her to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and
support defenseless adolescents while spreading awareness of predatory
behavior. She’s on her way. Garrinecia graduated from Scotlandville Magnet
High School in May 2018 and now attends a top liberal arts school, Rhodes
College, in Memphis, Tenn. on a scholarship worth more than $250,000.
Garrinecia was part of BRYC’s first class of four-year Fellows. While achieving
near-perfect grades in high school, she was active in BRYC and other activities,
like track, Youth Leadership Council, and Robotics Club. For her courage and
perseverance in the face of sexual violence, she was named a 2018 Louisiana
Public Broadcasting “Young Hero,” and for her academic excellence, she was
named a Gates Scholarship finalist — meaning that, of an applicant pool of
tens of thousands, she was among 600 final candidates.
Her persistence is something to marvel at. In the face of a deeply traumatic
experience, Garrinecia survived and much more. She remained driven to
attend college so she could fulfill her long-term goal of supporting other
vulnerable youth. Though extremely difficult, she channeled her energy
into school, sports, and telling her story through beautiful, heartfelt college
essays that moved the Rhodes’ admissions team. I know they inspired me.
By: Ashlei Smith, Class of 2020
Garrinecia credits BRYC with helping to keep her motivated during the
toughest times, but the credit is really hers.
Garrinecia says her experience at Rhodes so far has been amazing. While
adjusting to new people and cuisines, she’s staying opened-minded about
all college has to offer, in and outside the classroom. She’s also taking care
of herself. Garrinecia sees a counselor on campus weekly, attends group
sessions, and has been catching up on all the sleep she missed during
high school. Her career aspiration remains supporting sexual assault
survivors, both through counseling and educating young people on healthy
relationships. To that end, she is majoring in psychology and intends to
volunteer in the community at organizations focused on reproductive rights,
like Sister Reach and Planned Parenthood.
There was a time Garrinecia dreamed of becoming an aerospace engineer
but later realized she felt no passion toward it. Now she’s driven by a greater
purpose, to leverage her experience and education in service of others. There
were many times she wanted to give up, but her long-term vision wouldn’t let
her. She urges Fellows to operate with the same tenacity and take advantage
of all BRYC provides, especially its supportive community. “BRYC’s loving
environment never hesitated to be honest with me and push me to try new
things,” Garrinecia says. Speaking as a Fellow, Garrinecia pushes me, and I
can’t wait to see all she achieves.
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BEHIND the
SCENES
By: Stephanie Howard, Class of 2019 & Leigh Phillips
College Fellow and soon-to-be University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduate Emma Lacy has
taken advantage of every opportunity offered to her in college in order to discover her
perfect future career in film production. But Emma’s journey to film production was neither
straightforward nor easy.
Deeply affected by her mother’s untimely death and family financial difficulties, Emma
credits her College Mentor, Bree, with keeping her grounded during her trying high school
years. “Had (God) not used mentors to impart wisdom in my life, I probably wouldn’t be
as far as I am now,” Emma said. Emma’s circle of support included her pastors, to whom
Emma’s mother gave domiciliary custody before her death. Emma overcame the significant
emotional and physical transition of living under a new roof and with an adoptive family,
graduating from Mentorship Academy as her class’s salutatorian.
Emma has come a long way since then, never forgetting her past but very much focused
on her future. Originally a creative writing major, she is now poised to graduate in a few
short months with a bachelor’s in communication with a focus on broadcasting. While many
students don’t discover their dream careers until months or years after graduation, if ever,
Emma discovered hers by connecting with hands-on experiences in her chosen field.
During her senior year, she has produced several news packages alongside her classmates
and Lafayette-area broadcast professionals, including a Christmas show that aired on KATC3,
one of Acadiana’s primary news channels. Another local outlet, AOC Community Media, ran
three of Emma’s video packages on a live newscast and has since offered her an internship
she will undertake in the spring of 2019.
But Emma’s stories don’t just have a local reach. She’s submitted her work to television stations
around the country to receive feedback and connect with professionals in her field. Emma’s
most interesting piece involved investigating a Lafayette cold case murder from 1974. Her
journalistic excellence, conveyed through a series of her published and unpublished works,
recently earned her a $2,000 scholarship from the Press Club of New Orleans.
Although a talented journalist and writer, Emma has discovered she most enjoys being behind
the scenes. She loves every aspect of the technical side of broadcasting, from photography
and videography, to sound-mixing and running the teleprompter, and everything in between.
She admits to dreading the painstaking nature of editing but is willing to do anything to
gain experience. Just this year, Emma has volunteered on film sets for The Nightmare Shark,
Raging 13, and The Stick-Up to sharpen all skills that will prepare her for future opportunities.
Following her May 17, 2019 graduation, a date Emma instantly and proudly shares, she will
apply to the Disney College Program, a Walt Disney Company internship that would provide
her with professional development in the entertainment realm.
Emma cites work ethic and tenacity as the main sources of her success. “My major, although
liberal arts, wasn’t necessarily easy,” Emma explained. “You have to be willing to put in the
work and time and effort and patience because nothing comes easily. That’s what I’ve learned
throughout the course of my academic career and is why I’ve been able to be successful.”
Photo by Kenneth White, Jr., Class of 2018
While Emma would prefer not to appear on your television screen any time soon, you may
well find her name in the credits of a future blockbuster.

BEYOND
BR
By: Kenya Carney, Class of 2020
Born and raised in Baton Rouge, College Fellow Tyler Williams thought his only options
for college would be within the Capital area. The Scotlandville Magnet High School
graduate was initially skeptical of joining BRYC, wondering if he’d find value in it. He
eventually realized the organization offered nothing but good things for him, including
opening his eyes to the vast postsecondary possibilities outside Louisiana.
Tyler entered his senior year with a 29 on the ACT and near-perfect grades. He’d had
little exposure to colleges other than Southern and LSU but was open to BRYC’s pushing
him to expand his horizons. He decided to apply for the QuestBridge National College
Match program, which connects high-achieving, low-income high school students with
full scholarships at its “partner colleges” — some of the best in the country. The process
is daunting, but Tyler took it on and was successful, ultimately being “matched” with his
top-choice school, Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. Although Grinnell isn’t the most
well-known QuestBridge partner college, it is a top liberal arts school and a standout for
improving college access and affordability.
Although Grinnell is a predominantly white college,
the opposite of Tyler’s Scotlandville experience, he
has transitioned smoothly. In fact, he has excelled, not
only as a computer science major but a campus leader
and young professional. Tyler is president of the
Concerned Black Students Association (CBS), a place
where Black students come to be in solidarity with one
another. CBS was actually in jeopardy of folding due
to a lack of leadership when Tyler made the decision
to run for office. He has also launched a couple of oncampus
businesses, including a barbershop and a
waffle company called “Stix,” and participates actively
in the college’s student-run investment club. Tyler has
even thrived outside the country, studying in Ghana during spring of his junior year.
Tyler has also done well professionally. He recently completed an internship as a
software engineer at John Deere and has a full-time job offer waiting for him there upon
graduation. That’s only if he chooses not to accept a position as a developer at Adobe
or turns down other future opportunities. It seems his risk-taking and hard work have
paid off.
Although initially apprehensive, Tyler says leaving home was the best decision he ever
made, especially since he’d spent his whole life in the Red Stick. “You are not exposed
to much in Baton Rouge; the opportunities are limited,” Tyler said. “Outside of Baton
Rouge, you become a more well-rounded person and gain different perspectives on
what goes on in the world. You’re just stuck in a box if you stay in one place and don’t
open your mind and explore outside of your comfort zone.”
When asked what advice he would give other Fellows considering attending college out
of state, Tyler said, “Don’t be scared to fail! Your comfort zone is always going to be there.
If things go south, you can always come back.” Tyler said that, thanks to BRYC, he was
pushed far beyond what he ever thought would be comfortable for him, and he urges
all people to do the same.

HEAD in the
CLOUD
By: Nyla Gayle, Class of 2022
Photo by Kenneth White, Jr., Class of 2018
16
Only 3.5 percent of STEM bachelor’s degree holders are Latina women.
Alumna Amanda Alfaro is in that small percentage as a graduate of LSU’s
College of Engineering and software engineer at PTS Solutions, Inc. Amanda
is a trailblazer for progress, but she’s not stopping at her day job. She serves
as an advocate for and mentor to other young women of color seeking to
access and advance in STEM fields.
Amanda was born in San Antonio, Tex. and moved to Baton Rouge at the age
of seven. Leaving her extended family and moving to a place not many people
looked like her was painful, so Amanda turned to academics to
help dull that pain. Her commitment to her schoolwork paid off,
as she was accepted to Baton Rouge Magnet High School, and
later, BRYC.
With BRYC’s resources and support, and the encouragement
and guidance of her College Mentor, Lauren, Amanda raised her
ACT score significantly and gained admission to LSU with zero
loan debt. She started off unsure of her major and career path
but soon found the perfect fit, computer science.
Amanda enjoyed her high school math and science classes, but
witnessing her mother’s friend work with computers fascinated
her. The thought of being able to control a computer, particularly
in service of others, intrigued her. Computer science’s diverse professional
opportunities and real-world applications sealed the deal for Amanda.
Amanda had to adjust to the rigorous computer science classes at LSU but
was eventually able to manage her course load, which included business,
gaming, and coding classes, and much more. She complemented her major
coursework with communication classes, which helped her address various
audiences and clearly present ideas.
As a woman of color in STEM, Amanda believes strongly she is as a
representative for students from similar backgrounds. She hopes to be
an example for what’s possible for minority and first-generation students
interested in fields in which they are typically underrepresented. Amanda
remembers seeing fewer than five people of color in most of her computer
science classes. Although the computer science field has begun to value
diversity more, Amanda found it difficult to speak up during group projects.
She felt voiceless until she found the Women in Computer Science (WICS)
club, a place where she built community and confidence.
WICS is dedicated to “the professional and academic development of women
and others studying computer science and related fields at LSU.” During her
time in WICS, Amanda attended several national conferences,
mentored younger students, and served as an officer in the
organization. She will sit on WICS’ Women in Tech Panel later
this year, one of the many ways Amanda remains an advocate in
the broader community.
During senior year at LSU, Amanda landed an internship with
PTS Solutions Inc., where she currently works full-time. As a
quality assurance engineer, Amanda develops public safety
applications, like computer-aided dispatching software and
prison management systems. She feels strongly about her
job’s value to society. “Our business is important,” Amanda
explains.”Proper development and testing for our applications
has major quality-of-life implications.” More importantly, she
connects her work now to her long-time passion for social progress, saying
“grappling with and finding solutions to societal problems has me in the
position I’m in today.”
Amanda is one of three people of color and four women in her office. Being
the youngest was intimidating at first, but she has worked through the initial
discomfort and now feels included and valued as a colleague. And Amanda
is more purpose-driven than ever. When she steps into her office, she turns
into a superheroine working to better the world through technology and
pave the way for young women with similar aspirations.

For 22-year old Alumna Beatrice “Bea”Kariuki, life is all about doing things
you love and are passionate about to the fullest extent. She lives by this
principle every day, and college was no exception.
As a Kenyan immigrant who moved to the U.S. in 2011 during ninth grade,
Bea had to quickly adjust to South Louisiana culture and a new school in
Broadmoor High. She says that, from the beginning, she was determined
to reach her dreams of college and understood the privilege she was given
to study in the U.S. Most daunting for Bea was
how uninformed she was about the American
postsecondary education system. That’s where
BRYC came in. “I had an idea of the things I
wanted to do and where I wanted to be,” Bea
says “but BRYC was that catalyst I needed to push
myself out of my comfort zone. BRYC took that
fear of not knowing what’s coming, and I’m very
grateful for that.”
On BRYC’s 2013 Atlanta College Tour, Emory “felt like home,” and Bea
decided to apply. She was accepted with a robust financial aid package but
didn’t stop there, ultimately securing the highly coveted Gates Scholarship.
From an applicant pool of tens of thousands nationwide, Bea was one of 300
to earn the full scholarship, which follows winners to whichever colleges they
choose to attend.
Bea plunged right into her four years at Emory. She graduated with a degree
in neuroscience and behavioral biology, minoring in women’s, gender,
and sexuality studies. Bea now works full-time in Atlanta as a business
By: Tanielma Costa, Class of 2020
immigration analyst at law firm called Seyfarth Shaw LLP. As of yet, she’s
unsure of her long-term plans.
Bea urges Fellows to get involved on their campuses. “My passions and
interests paved the way for the things I ended up being involved in. Knowing
things that interest you, knowing things that you’re passionate about
motivates you to be involved in those organizations.”
Indeed, she was immersed in flurry of activities. Bea saw Emory as her
playground to be explored. She speaks of
how exhilarating the Gates conventions in
Washington, D.C. were and how they prompted
her to take on the roles of vice president, and
later, president of Emory’s Gates Scholars
chapter. Protesting in D.C. after the death of
Trayvon Martin her freshman year led to many
social justice-focused activities in and outside
of school, like getting people to register to vote.
Bea volunteered through the national service organization Alpha Phi Omega,
served as president and vice president of the Resident Hall Association, and
was a Campus Ambassador, leading tours and information for prospective
students and families. Finally, one of her most beloved activities was
volunteering at Children’s Healthcare in Atlanta; her networking there led to
her studying public healthcare in London for a summer!
I was exhausted just hearing about all Bea has done, but she says “I wouldn’t
take it back.” Why? Each experience was fulfilling and meaningful.
17

18
JOURNALISM CLUB
Kenya Carney
Monasia Charles
Tanielma Costa
Nyla Gayle
Stephanie Howard
Cameron Matthews
Emily Nichols
Morgan Rice
Ashlei Smith
Ivori Teasette
TEAM
Angela Bain
Story Baquet
Koryne Cage
Katelyn Guillory
Laura Hawkes
Josh Howard
A’Shonte Johnson
Dani Klein
Antone LeBlanc
Michelle Myers
Lauren-Pheriche Perkins
Leigh Phillips
LaShawn Robertson
Jalyn Smith
Bree Spielfogel
Lucas Spielfogel
Chelsea Werner
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sarah Kracke, Chairwoman
Kevin Knobloch, Treasurer
Lisa Adamek
Jay Noland
Zaheer Poptani
Linda Posner
COLLEGE MENTORS
Lisa Adamek
Betsy Allen Adams
Corrine Bacigal
Oluwaseyi Bamgbola
Hannah Birchman
Michelle Bolda
Dan Bowen
Christi Brown
Scott Browne
Christal Carroll
Erin Carroll
Tyler Carruth
Chris Ciesielski
Ashley Clayton
Michael Coleman
Jordan Corp
Brendan Csaposs
Haley Delk
Andrea Dent
Karen Duffy
Ashley Dunbar
Dominique Dunbar
Katrina Dunn
Meredith Eckard
David Eley
Fallan Frank
Eric Franklin
Steven Geller
Lani L. Gholston
Devon Greenfield
Amy Grogan
Kayla Gros
Cara Guilbeau
Cadie Guitreau
Andrea and Austin Guntz
Kiara Gravel
Hillary Gray
SK Groll
Erin Harmeyer
Laura Hawkes
Ashley Heard
David Hopkins
Ali Horton
David Hou
Josh Howard
Jared Hymowitz
Alex Kolb
Eugene Laphand
Kimberly Lecompte
John Lewis
Symphony Malveaux
Celina Mariano
Cody Martin
Emelie Martin
Randi McCarty
Traechel McCoy
Michelle Myers
Nikole Nijenkamp
Lucy Perera
David Perkins
Connor Petty
Nam Pham
Lauren-Pheriche Perkins
Leigh Phillips
Terry Pickett
Phillip Pinkston
Linda Posner
Michael Richards
LaShawn Robertson
Cesar Romero
Laneceya Russ
La’Shantlen Russ
Charity Schaffer
Ricky Schultz
Staci Shelby
Aimee Simon
Joanna So
Franklin Soares
Lucas Spielfogel
Jovan Thomas
Andrea Thompson
Natan Trief
Ivyonne Variet
Jason Walker
Aeryel Williams
Travis Woodard
TUTORS
Abi Akamo
Michael Ali
Mellyn Baker
Jack Blears
James Burke
Emily Carroll
Angelina Dang
Sean Dobies
Matt Drew
Lexus Hector
Spencer Hellner
David Jozefov
Viet Le
Darian Madere
Tierney McCoy
Kathryn McKee
Danielle Moreau
Abdou Ndiaye
Thu Nguyen
Daniel Pacheco
Edward Shim
Jada Titus
Bryan Tumulty
Alicia Vessel
WRITING COACHES
Jessica Arner
Gillian Foss
Sam Gonzales
Vincent Granata
Sherri Johnson
Anant Kishore
Ashley Mick
Emily Nemens
Charley Silvio
Natasha Strickland
GUARDIANS OF BRYC
Shawanda Holmes-Ringo
Jasmin Johnson
Walter McLaughlin
Dionne McCurry
Tanisha Mitchel
Angela Reaux
Chakara Spurlock
NONPROFIT PARTNERS
Baton Rouge
Community College
Big Buddy
City Year Baton Rouge
First United Methodist Church
Forward Arts
The Futures Fund
Healthy Blue
Junior League of Baton Rouge
Louisiana State University
MetroMorphosis
Serve Louisiana
Sexual Trauma Awareness
and Response
South Louisiana Coalition
for Education
Southern University and
A&M College
Teach for America - South LA
SCHOOL PARTNERS
Arlington Preparatory Academy
Baker High
Baton Rouge Magnet High
Belaire High
Broadmoor High
Catholic High
Central High
The Church Academy of
Baton Rouge
Cristo Rey Baton Rouge
Denham Springs High
The Dunham
East Feliciana High
Episcopal High
Friendship Capitol High
Glen Oaks High
Iberville MSA Academy
Istrouma High
Madison Preparatory Academy
McKinley High
Mentorship Academy
Northeast High
Parkview Baptist
Port Allen High
Scotlandville Magnet High
Southern University Lab
Tara High
University Laboratory School
Walker High
West Feliciana High
Zachary Christian Academy
Zachary High

TEAM BOARD OF DIRECTORS VIPs GUARDIANS PARTNERS SPONSORS FRIENDS
BRYC is a college-preparatory community whose health depends on the contributions of so many. We send deep gratitude to our generous donors, dedicated
volunteers, loyal partners, and any supporters we have unintentionally overlooked.
Our success reflects the investment of countless stakeholders. Thank you for choosing BRYC.
* = In Memoriam
SPONSORS
Patricia and Alan Abramson
Lisa and Thomas Adamek
Albemarle Foundation
Margaret Ambrose
Jessica Arner and Eli Abbe
Stuart Appel
Priscilla and Edward Ashworth
Atlassian Inc.
Renee Bacher
Barnes & Noble
Annette Barton
Baton Rouge University
Preparatory School
BCBSLA Foundation
Jason Binder
Bishop Stanley Joseph Ott “Works
of Mercy” Trust Fund
Eryn Block
Valerie and Dennis Blunt
Laura E.Boles
Linda and Robert Bowsher
Melanie and John Boyce
Karen H. Briggs
Christi Brown
Nicole Burrell
Neva Butkus
Lakeisha Butler
John Callaway
Capital Area United Way
Capital One
Gloria and Stephen Carter
Liza Carter
Nicole and
Christopher Ciesielski
Beverly and Dudley* Coates
Cathy Coates and Brian Hales
Leslie and Cliff Cohen
Cox Communications
Brendan Csaposs
CSRS, Inc.
Jennifer and Michael Daly
Jane D. Darbonne
Fred Dent
Robin Dobies
Patricia Dobies
Rich Dupuy
Shannon and David Eley
Emergent Method, LLC
Sean and Jennifer Eplett Reilly
ExxonMobil Foundation
Fanatics, Inc.
Robert Fentress
Sean Fentress
Cal and Andy Fentress
René and Bill Firesheets
FUMC
Samantha Flitter
Fluor Federal Petroleum
Operations, LLC
Ellie* and Albert Fraenkel II
Kaitlyn Gallegos
Brittany and Craig Gehring
Becca Gelwicks
GeoEngineers, Inc.
Aleshadye Getachew
Lani L. Gholston
Randi and Howard Ginsburg
Good Family
Foundation
Gorter Family
Foundation
Christopher Gorter
David & Lauren
Gorter Foundation
Taylor Gorter
Merice “Boo” Johnston
Grigsby Foundation
Mary and David D. Grumhaus
Jennifer and David Grumhaus
Whitney Grumhaus
Lisa and Jonathan Haas
Esther and Douglas Halperin
Milton Hamer
Margaret Hart
Fran and Leroy Harvey
Rachel and Mark Hausmann
Laura Hawkes
Mavis Hawkes
Ava and Cordell Haymon
Healthy Blue
Laura Henry
Kristen Hill
Frederick Hughes
Jeremy Hunnewell
Immense Networks
Jesse Irwin
ISC Constructors, LLC
J.P. Morgan Chase Fund
Junior League Of
Baton Rouge
Sherri Johnson
Jones Walker LLP
Ellen and Doug Kahn
Kean Miller
Christine Keenan
Wilbur J. Kelly
Kathryn and Luke Kissam
Debbie and Kevin Knobloch
Joan Korn
Sarah Kracke
Maxwell Kramer
Alexander Krey
Mary and Brad Krey
Katherine Krey
Morgan Krey
Charles Lamar Family
Foundation
Andrew Larose
Leslie Leavoy
Teri and Gordon LeBlanc
The Lemoine Company
Polly and Conville Lemoine
Lipsey’s, LLC
Louisiana Healthcare
Connections
Pat and Don Lyle
Patrick MacDanel
Martin Foundation
Emelie Martin
MasteryPrep
Alex Mastroyannis
Lisa and Paul Mayeaux
Kathy and Frank McArthur II
Teeta and Rolfe McCollister, Jr.
Dr. Saundra Y. McGuire
Tracey and Andrew McMains
Linda McMillin
Anne and Tom Meek
Mary and Garrett Moran
Pieter Morgan
Michelle Myers
Christine Nichols
The Nokomis Fund
Elizabeth and Jay Noland
Virginia and John Noland
OnStar
Irene W. and C.B.
Pennington Foundation
Kelly Pepper
Lauren and David Perkins
Anne Martin and John Pescatore
Elisabeth and Charles Pfeifer
Phelps Dunbar LLP
Kathryn F. Phillips
Brian Phillips
Rebecca and Daniel Polivy
Linda and Mark Posner
The Powell Group Fund
Susan Preslier and
Carmine Nicoletti
Susie Quinn
Drew and Ross Reilly
Mary and Wendell Reilly
Winifred and Kevin Reilly Jr.
Stacie and Michael Reiser
Pam Richards and Pat Caballero
Nellie Robinson
Jeannette and Michael Rolfsen
Rotary Club Of Baton Rouge
Foundation, Inc.
Mary and Edward Rotenberg
Darrelyn and Randy Roussell
Ayan and Mike Rubin
Sam Rustom, Jr.
Cary Saurage
SGS North America, Inc.
Shintech Inc.
Dianne and Kevin Smith
Euhbin Song and Daniel Kahn
Bari Spielfogel
Bree and Lucas Spielfogel
Sidney Spielfogel
Whitney and Ross Spielfogel
Starmount Life - Unum
David Steinhardt
Deborah Sternberg and
Michael Roth
Donna and Hans Sternberg
Josef Sternberg
Memorial Fund
Tadaa! Fund
The Laszlo N. Tauber
Family Foundation
Garrett Temple
Taryn Terrell
Shelby Thayne
Wendy Tinkler
Sarah and Michael Tipton
Samantha and Natan Trief
Utay Family
Foundation
Sarah Vanden Broek
Laura Vinsant and Win Songy
Sonia K. Wagner
Karrin Weisenthal and
Andrew Collard
Connie and Larry Weisenthal
Michelle and J. R. Whaley
The Huey and Angelina
Wilson Foundation
Monica and Steven Winkler
Jill Kammer and John
Wozniczka
Audrey and Jonathan Young
19

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