The founding members of Next Generation are accomplished trailblazers and leaders in their respective fields. Their commitment to children stems from personal experience and a burning desire to help young people overcome obstacles, develop their talents, and pursue their dreams and goals. Through their individual and collective pursuits, Next Generation’s founding members have:

• Served over 50,000 children nationwide in after school tutoring programs;
• Served as the founding executive director of the nation’s only public charter boarding school;
• Pioneered the use of University-based pre-college programs and full college tuition scholarships to prepare young people in grades 8 through 12 for college, and enable them to pay for a college education;
• Developed and managed more than a dozen charter schools in several states;
• Received teacher of the year in two school districts and numerous awards and recognition for their “results” with young people;
• Provided tuition scholarships and services to young people attending quality private high schools;
• Guided state and district efforts to improve teaching and learning in public school systems;
• Led national research on school takeovers, urban education reform, school choice, and black parents perception of quality after school programs;
• Guided the development of the District of Columbia Public Charter School Association;
• Guided the passage of unprecedented legislation that established the nation’s first federally funded private school scholarship program and produced $160 million for public education reform and new charter schools in Washington, DC;
• Developed state of the art community and school-based learning programs, youth employment programs, and programs for gifted and talented students;
• Commissioned the nation’s first comprehensive study on high school graduations rates, calling attention and resources to improve high schools and graduation rates among America’s youth;
• Guided major national advertising campaigns and charitable events; and
• Taught in middle schools, high schools and college;
• Played, coached and excelled at numerous sports at high school, college, amateur and professional levels;
• Graduated from some of the nation’s top colleges and universities; and
• Served on several local, state and national education commissions and as legal counsel to some of the nation’s most respected businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Together, Next Generation’s founders are poised to catalyze a diverse range of men and women to provide the type of opportunities and support that will have a positive impact on the educational, personal and career pursuits of the young men Next Generation will serve. The trap door that is capturing thousands of young black men can be closed. We look forward to working with YOU and each other to develop the next generation of great husbands, fathers, community leaders, business owners, innovators, and self-assured, self-confident, self-respecting, healthy and giving men.