Braven

Our 2026 Braven Jobs Report is here! 🎉 This report dives into the journeys of the extraordinary college students we’re privileged to serve. It demonstrates how students translate the career readiness skills and social capital they gain through the Braven experience to land quality roles, even in a challenging labor market. Together with our amazing higher education partners — @ccnycitycollege , @chicagostateuniv , @delstateuniv , @nationallouisu , @northern_illinois_university , @rutgers_newark , @sjsu , @sanfranciscostate , @spelmanpathways , @uml , @unt — and dedicated employers, we’re committed to empowering promising students to transition from college to strong economic opportunities, which lead to meaningful careers and lives of impact. Read the full report at the link in our bio! 🔗 #BeBraven #BravenImpact

Braven’s next chapter starts now. In deep partnership with our higher education and employer partners, we are launching Braven’s next five-year strategic plan to expand high-quality, scalable career preparation for low-income and first-generation college students. The goal: Over the next five years, we aim to work directly with 50,000 students—unlocking an estimated $8 billion in additional lifetime earnings—while enabling the 650 schools that educate 75% of the country’s low-income and first-generation college students with access to world-class career preparation. We’re honored that @theaudaciousproject , housed within TED, has recognized this vision and named Braven a new grantee, backing our plan to expand access to strong first jobs. We are so incredibly grateful to all of our supporters and champions for believing in us and the students we have the pleasure of serving—whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or have joined along our 13-year journey, we are so incredibly grateful. We know that incredible talent exists everywhere, and opportunity should, too. Thank you for helping to expand access to economic mobility. 🔗 Read a letter from our founder & CEO here and our full multi-year plan in the link in our bio!

Finishing off the semester with a company visit to McKinsey & Company, looking forward to many more next year! 🚀Thank you to our amazing panelists and the Braven Professional Mentors that make opportunities like this possible. It’s through trips like these that the Braven network bridges the gap between the classroom and top-tier career opportunities. 📈🏙️ #McKinsey #Braven #Consulting #SanJoseState #CareerGoals

We recently co-hosted a celebratory launch event with @mountstvincent (UMSV). Centered around the theme “The Right Place on the River,” the event formally introduced the Braven Accelerator course and marked the beginning of this exciting partnership ahead of our inaugural semester this fall. This gathering brought together university leaders, students, employer partners, community stakeholders, volunteers, alumni, and supporters for an afternoon of connection and conversation centered on expanding career pathways for UMSV students. Attendees heard remarks from President Susan Burns, Provost Lynne Bongiovanni, Vice Provost Gabrielle Occhiogrosso, Ed.D., Braven NYC Board Members Kimara Bonhomme and Akila Grewal, and Kilsys Payamps-Roure, Braven’s Founding Executive Director of New York City. Together, we celebrated a shared commitment to ensuring students graduate with the skills, networks, confidence, and experience needed to secure strong post-graduation outcomes, while strengthening the New York City talent ecosystem through powerful cross-sector partnerships. #BeBraven #UMSV #HigherEducation #NYC #GoTogetherGoFurther

🎓 The moment is here — DSU + Braven Class of 2026, congratulations!! 🎉 You made it through the late nights, the pressure, the growth, and every challenge in between. Today is more than a ceremony — it’s proof of everything you’ve pushed through to get here. Walk that stage proud, soak it all in, and celebrate this milestone fully. This is only the beginning of what’s next. 💫 Congratulations to all of the @delstateuniv grads— past, present, and future — for the excellence, pride, and dedication you bring to Delaware State University every day🐝 #DSU #ClassOf2026 #Congratulations #GraduationDay

The Braven team recently wrapped up our Ready to Launch Bootcamps nationwide — held both virtually and in-person — designed to help senior Braven Fellows take charge of their job searches. Fellows came prepared, immersed themselves in the work, and left geared up with the confidence and a sustainable plan to launch their careers. Fellow participants walked away with: • Support in evaluating opportunities aligned with their career goals • Tips on customizing application materials, plus coaching from Braven staff • Networking strategies to build lasting professional connections • A tailored, proactive job search plan 🎓💼 A huge thank you to our volunteers who served as panelists and breakout facilitators for sharing your time and expertise, our Braven staff for making it all possible, and our Fellows for showing up prepared, engaged, and ready to launch. 🎓💼 #BeBraven #ReadytoLaunchBootcamp #RTL

Last week, we spent the day with Braven Fellows at Delaware State University as they wrapped up their spring capstone challenge. Student teams tackled a real Carvertise business challenge focused on improving driver engagement after campaigns end, and we were genuinely impressed by the level of thought, creativity, and strategic thinking they brought to the table. Our team had the chance to network with Fellows, provide feedback on their ideas, and join conversations around leadership, career growth, and AI in the workplace. Thank you to the Braven team for hosting us and to the Fellows for sharing their ideas throughout the day!

Just last week, our 2026 Braven fellows and staff came together to celebrate our Capstone Challenge winners at the Winner’s Trek 💫 A well-deserved moment of recognition and connection with our partner, @carvertise #CapstoneChallenge #BravenDSU #HornetPride

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate and uplift the voices, cultures, and contributions of the AAPI community. Throughout the month, we’ll be highlighting stories and voices from our Braven community and celebrating the leaders who help strengthen it every day. #BeBraven #AAPIMonth

Meet Lex Porter, a Braven @spelman_college Leadership Coach and Product Manager at Warner Bros. Discovery, and the kind of mentor today’s students need. Chicago-born and purpose-driven, Lex’s journey has taken her from the South Side to Atlanta, where she continues to build and lead with intention. A Spelman College graduate with a BA in Economics and an MBA from Emory University (Class of 2025), she’s guided by a deep curiosity about how media shapes the way we think, connect, and move through the world—insight she brings into her work and every conversation with her Fellows. As a zillennial, Lex bridges traditional career-building—networking events and warm introductions—with the realities of launching a career in a remote, AI-driven world. She brings that dual perspective to her Fellows while learning from them as well. “I was impressed by the range of majors, from the arts to science, and the ambition these young women bring. It’s inspiring to see them shaping paths that reflect all their interests.” For Lex, Braven is just the beginning. She envisions it growing into a lifelong community that supports Fellows far beyond a single semester. That is what showing up looks like. Thank you, Lex. #BeBraven #NationalVolunteerMonth #BravenVolunteer

As we near the end of National Volunteer Month, we’re spotlighting our incredible Braven staff who are serving or have served as Leadership Coaches this spring! 🌟 For many of these staff members, volunteering isn’t just about giving back; it’s about seeing our mission in action. Connecting with Fellows, hearing their stories, and supporting them through the Accelerator is a reminder of why this work matters. Beyond the impact they have on Fellows, serving as a Leadership Coach is also a meaningful professional development opportunity, helping our staff sharpen skills in facilitation, active listening, and mentoring the next generation of emerging leaders. It’s a true reflection of our core values in practice. “As a Braven staff member who works closely with a lot of our external partners, I felt it was important to experience the Accelerator firsthand. After serving as a Leadership Coach this semester at @nationallouisu , it was refreshing to see how many tangible skills I could flex and strengthen in just a few weeks. I sharpened my facilitation skills, learned how to better connect with people from all different backgrounds and experiences, and picked up new concepts that I can use to grow in my own professional journey.” Thank you to our amazing staff LCs. Way to #LiveYourLegacy! #BeBraven #BravenVolunteer #NationalVolunteerMomth

“I teach and lead as a reflection of the transformational leaders I had, Jeffrey Jackson, Braven Leadership Coach at @spelman_college , shares. Born and raised in Atlanta, Jeffrey grew up shaped by the city, and has spent his life giving back to it. His path in journalism started at Booker T. Washington High School and continued at Clark Atlanta University, where he earned his B.A. in Journalism and Mass Media Arts. He has since added multiple graduate credentials to his name and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Global Leadership at Troy University When Jeffrey learned about Braven, it struck a familiar chord. As a teenager, he was part of “Inner City Achievers,” a program that brought him to Clark Atlanta’s campus and exposed him to cultural experiences across the city. Braven felt like a natural continuation of that legacy. “I was excited to get involved in an organization that promoted and developed leadership skills among Fellows,” he says. And, the volunteer experience ended up honing his own skills: “This experience has solidified my skills as an effective communicator, idea generator, and motivational leader,” he says. And the Fellows have taught him just a lot, too. “Fellows are eager to have conversations with you; it’s just about connecting with them and being personable,” he shares. He brings this same philosophy to Kennesaw State University, where he teaches English Composition and Technical Writing. “Those who dare to be Braven walk away with real, resume-worthy experiences that set them apart long before graduation day,” he shares, urging others to truly take advantage of the opportunity. We are so grateful for volunteers like Jeffrey! If you’re inspired to make an impact, our virtual volunteer opportunities to serve as a Leadership Coach and/or Professional Mentor are now open: braven.org/volunteer. #BeBraven #NationalVolunteerMonth #BravenVolunteer