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As we pursue our mission to equip our students and community to thrive, we inevitably face the systemic roadblocks we aim to dismantle. Our President & CEO invites you to join us in the discipline of hope as we persevere:
2021 continues to remind us that leadership without community feeds oppression, governance without justice fuels violence, and opportunity without access upholds inequality. What the January 6th riots on Capitol Hill have proven to us is that an America without truth breeds white supremacy.
At OppNet, we know these realities all too well which is why we strive to build a world that nurtures leadership at every level across our communities, grounds our practices in the pursuit of justice, and tackles stubborn structural barriers that get in the way of our students’ ambitions.
Organizer, abolitionist, and educator Mariame Kaba said, “Hope is a discipline.” As we settle into this new year, my intention for the OppNet community is for us to be ruthlessly disciplined about hope and to honor what’s possible through deliberate actions anchored in community, justice, and access.
We believe that a life led through self-determination that results in collective care and shared prosperity is possible for this nation. 2021 will be another year that helps us bring that belief to fruition.
Guided by justice, access, and community, check out our January Opportunity Report that highlights how OppNet tackles stubborn structural barriers that get in the way of our students’ ambitions.
EVENT FOR EDUCATORS
Join us for a critical conversation on centering Black, Brown, and Indigenous students this Thursday, January 14 from 2pm to 3:30pm. In this interactive, virtual workshop we'll discuss ways to make space for students to recognize, celebrate, and activate their unique strengths. Few spots are left; RSVP here.
STUDENT UPDATES
ICYMI: You can check out clips of last month's Opportunity Talks Virtual Fireside Chat with Reshma Saujani, CEO of Girls Who Code, on our Instagram.
Our annual Winter Conference for college Fellows continues this month with live virtual events on mental health, financial aid, and more!
Do you know any high school sophomores in NYC who may be interested in joining our six-year Fellows program? Learn more here.
OPPNET IN THE PRESS
Following up from her previous Q&A on college success, check out our President & CEO AiLun Ku's latest Q&A with CollegeXpress where she shares valuable internship and career advice.
AiLun also shares 3 key strategies for onboarding managers of diverse teams in this article for Training Industry.
LEARNING RESOURCE
We have developed and implemented an open access virtual platform, UnInterruptED, to support virtual learning for Fellows and communities. It was designed for students to access directly but also as a resource for teachers, staff, and instructors who are looking to integrate Career Fluency® into your virtual programs or classrooms. Register for free college and career resources here.
EMPLOYER NEWS
Want to learn more about how OppNet partners with companies as internship hosts and volunteer partners? Did you know OppNet can be a learning and development partner for employers looking to advance their diversity, equity, and inclusion goals? Sign up for our quarterly Corporate Brief newsletter here.
