Thriving in Cleveland

Opportunity Rises on the Shores of Lake Erie

Our program prepares and supports high-achieving underrepresented students in Cleveland to get into the nation’s Top 100 colleges – and graduate with the career skills and experience they need to thrive at the most innovative companies.

Meeting the need in Cleveland

There are at least 25,000 students of color from under-resourced communities in America with the academic qualifications to get into top colleges – many from Cleveland. To succeed at top colleges, these talented students need our full support, just like that of their more privileged peers. Current programs aren’t enough, but Thrive Scholars has a solution. Refined over 20 years, our program works. And now, it’s working for Cleveland.

Some of the colleges Thrive Scholars attend

Join Our Mission For Local Impact

Create a lasting impact in building a more diverse and equitable workforce by empowering students from Cleveland with the resources and support necessary to thrive. You can make a difference in multiple ways, such as donating, volunteering, or joining our regional corporate partnership program.

How Your Company Can Help Diverse Scholars Thrive
Thrive Scholars offers a unique opportunity for innovative organizations to partner with us in creating a pipeline of exceptional and diverse talent. Our collaborative process aims to develop outcome-driven regional corporate partnerships that inspire deeper staff engagement and drive positive social change while supporting your organization’s diversity and inclusion goals.

Sponsor Diverse Talent
Your company can support local Scholars through our program by sponsoring a cohort each year. As “Company Name” Thrive Scholars, these students will gain valuable guidance and exposure to careers that align with your company’s success.

How We Make Your Business Stronger

• Deepen Employee Engagement
  • Your company’s employees can engage with your sponsored Scholars through turnkey opportunities facilitated by Thrive, including meet and greets, mentorship, job shadowing, and career panels.
• Focused Community Impact
  • Promote social responsibility and community involvement by creating opportunities for high-achieving students of color in your area. Thrive can focus employee engagement in Cleveland, allowing for connections with Scholars attending high schools or colleges in specific regions.
• Branding
  • Demonstrate your commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and inspire others to join the cause and positively impact society. We will recognize your company logo on Thrive’s website, social media channels, select marketing materials, and at local Thrive events, which can increase your company’s brand visibility.
• Internships & Hiring
  • Offer internships directly to the Scholars your company sponsors. Your company can reach over 3,000 top candidates and expand your talent pool with diverse and capable individuals by posting internships and job openings on Thrive’s Scholar and Alumni portals.

Cleveland Sponsors

Thanks to our supporters in Cleveland. Our expansion to Cleveland would not be possible without the generous seed funding from key corporations and foundations. By supporting Cleveland’s most talented and ambitious students of color today, they’re helping them to become the professional, business, and civic leaders of tomorrow.

*These companies also participate in our Corporate Sponsorship Program.

Interested in learning more about our programming in Cleveland?

Contact our Cleveland Executive Director
Steven Lake