Exceptional Minds.

Extraordinary Futures.

We provide high-achieving students of color from economically under-resourced communities the opportunities they need to thrive at top colleges and in meaningful careers.

THE CHALLENGE

A Disparity in Leadership

Unequal opportunity drives the disparity in America’s corporate leadership and advanced workforce. Nearly a third of the U.S. is Black or Latino, yet only:

  • 5%of senior executives at Fortune 500 companies are Black or Latino
  • 5%of partners at top law firms are Black or Latino
  • 11%of doctors are Black or Latino
  • 15%of scientists and engineers are Black or Latino

32%

of Americans are Black or Latino

SYSTEMIC SOLUTIONS REQUIRE HIGHER EXPECTATIONS

To champion talented and ambitious students of color, we must focus on success beyond college.

OUR SOLUTION

We Target What Matters

Our society sets the bar too low for how we support our most talented students of color.

It takes more than a college degree to get into a top law school or business school. More than a diploma to be a successful engineer, doctor, or scientist. Where you go to college matters. Grades matter. Majors matter. Career skills matter. And a professional network matters.

Aiming Higher

For our Scholars to become the diverse leaders our nation needs and develop the inter-generational wealth and financial security their more privileged peers take for granted – Thrive Scholars aims higher.

We offer three options: our 6-Year Program, Thrive Academies and OnRamp; program offerings that support our students from high school to early career. We look beyond graduation, using data to target what drives Scholar success in high-impact careers.

Learn more

Our Programs Make the Difference

Becoming a Thrive Scholar delivers clear benefits for high-achieving students of color from economically disadvantaged communities.

Outcome Metrics

go to top 100 colleges
Available Support
<50%
Thrive Scholar Support
>90%
average GPA
Available Support
2.9
Thrive Scholar Support
3.4
persist in STEM
Available Support
20%
Thrive Scholar Support
75%
soft/hard career skills
Available Support
Limited
Thrive Scholar Support
Extensive
graduate college
Available Support
<50%
Thrive Scholar Support
98%
*comparison data refers to high-achieving students of color from economically disadvantaged communities.
Outcome Metrics
Available Support
Thrive Scholar Support
go to top 100 colleges
<50%
>90%
average GPA
2.9
3.4
persist in STEM
20%
75%
soft/hard career skills
Limited
Extensive
graduate college
<50%
98%
 
*comparison data refers to high-achieving students of color from economically disadvantaged communities.

Not only do our Scholars outperform students with similar backgrounds, they SIGNIFICANTLY OUTPERFORM their more privileged peers at the same Top 100 Colleges. They are:

10%

more likely to graduate

34%

more likely to persist in STEM

SCHOLAR AND PARTNER TESTIMONIALS

Ericardo

Harvard Class of 2019, Deloitte

I knew as a Black male coming from a low-income, single parent household, there were many adjustments I would have to make. Thrive Scholars ensured I was academically prepared. That meant instead of focusing on mere survival in college, I could focus on embracing those opportunities I needed to flourish.

Wilna

Tufts Class of 2018, MPH from Columbia 2020

If I don’t graduate and get the right degree I will have the passion but not the hard skills and tools I need to help me get where I want to get to. And Thrive Scholars has given me the support I need to make sure I know I can do it. They are another family – it helps to know that there are people, besides my immediate family, that are behind me who want me to do well.

Michael Quick

Former Provost, University of Southern California

There are many programs claiming to do similar work, and what you need to know is that this one is unique. It is the only one I know of that looks beyond college graduation. The Summer Academy is the only program I know of around the country that immerses students in over 200 hours of calculus and writing instruction. And it has worked — over half of their students graduate with STEM degrees. I know of no other similar program with that data. Based on their success, their model, their willingness to let data guide the way, and their leadership, I can unequivocally say that they have the people and program to change the world.

Kari Van Gundy

CEO, Zenith Insurance Company

Through our decade-long corporate sponsorship, our leaders are mentors to talented, diverse and brilliant young individuals who thrive as they develop skills, confidence and access to opportunities. Our partnership has strengthened our organization and added talented diversity with future leadership potential to our team.