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April welcomes us with the showers of spring—a season representative of restoration and renewal. But the heaviness of recent events and those of last year still linger. Much like the downpour of spring rain, the onslaught of blatant hate crimes and racial injustices speak deafening volumes against the existence of communities of color and those who are marginalized. Already in 2021 we’ve released three Community Statements (which you can read here, here, and here) denouncing the increasing violence across our country.
In spite of this turmoil, we remain dedicated to fighting for a more equitable future. With renewed vigor we strive to equip our community with the tools to thrive and ignite their agency—through classes focused on self-advocacy, insights into navigating the college campus, a Fellow and alumni job board, and capacity-building partnerships with schools and community based organizations across the country.
We have continued our work and are holding fast to the power that comes from our collective strength and resilience. And we do this while recognizing that persistence is only possible with deliberate moments of self-care, reflection, and rest.
I invite you to join us in this month’s Opportunity Report to pause and explore all the ways our community continues to listen, grow, and uplift one another:
FELLOWS IN ACTION
In March, our 11th grade Fellows practiced strategies for growing self-awareness, asserting their needs, and prioritizing wellness while our 12th grade Fellows gained insights into navigating college and thriving on campus!
Our college Fellows dove into curated lessons on financial literacy, career and internships readiness, activism and self-care, and more.
Our alumni community launched OppNet Connect, a job posting community on LinkedIn! Join here.
FELLOWS INTERNSHIP SPOTLIGHT
Anisha, OppNet Fellow Class of 2022, will be joining Microsoft this summer as a Software Engineer Intern:
"I've always wanted to help others through my career and thought I wanted to be a doctor. When I realized that the medical field wasn't for me, I turned to computer science because it spoke to my interest in building things. Microsoft is one of my dream companies; they have many programs and initiatives to give back to the community. I'm excited to meet and learn from many smart and experienced people this summer!"
CAREER FLUENCY® PARTNERSHIP UPDATES
In our collaboration with TandemED—funded by the Fund II Foundation—OppNet's Partnerships team continues to work with Black communities in Detroit, Newark, and New Orleans to focus on educational and racial equity.
OPPORTUNITY ON DEMAND GALA 2021
Excitement continues to build for our "Opportunity On-Demand" Gala in May!
Join OppNet for an on-demand gala experience from the comfort of your own home while making a critical investment in OppNet's work. Participants will also receive curated gift boxes featuring meaningful student stories and products!
Join us on Tuesday, April 20 at 5PM (ET) for an Opportunity Talks virtual fireside chat with New York City Public Advocate, Jumaane D. Williams! Register here.
In his current role, Jumaane focuses on affordable housing, anti-gun violence measures, fair policing, equity, and social justice issues.
How can we cultivate workplaces that best foster inclusion and underrepresented talent? Learn more in OppNet President & CEO AiLun Ku's article here.
Check out NationSwell’s #BuildItBackBetter Insights Reports, featuring AiLun's thoughts on skills training, social capital gatekeeping, and combating inertia here!
In a Forbes article on college admissions, OppNet's Associate Director of College Guidance and Transition, Emmanuel Moses talks about the shortcomings of standardized testing.
In her monthly Forbes column, Jessica Pliska, OppNet's Founder & Head of Leadership Giving, recently interviewed Emma Grede, global fashion entrepreneur who recently launched Safely with co-founders Chrissy Teigen and Kris Jenner. Read here.
Jessica also published a Forbes piece titled "How Our White Networks Exclude Young People Of Color From Career Access And Opportunity".
#TBT: We are so excited to cheer on our 2019 Night of Opportunity Gala honoree, Kelly Marie Tran, who stars in Raya and the Last Dragon as Disney's first South East Asian Princess!
Check out OppNet President & CEO AiLun Ku alongside Congresswoman Grace Meng and The Walking Dead's Angela Kang in an AMC Networksvirtual discussion centered on raising awareness of the recent rise of anti-Asian violence here!
At OppNet, we share NFL Player, Kelvin Beachum'ssentiments on the value of giving. Check out this clipfrom his Opportunity Talks last month!
