The Gray Matter Experience

Thank you to the @nbafoundation for an incredible night out and their commitment to our work. I had the opportunity to sit on a panel with two leaders from incredible organizations @bebraven and @dovetailproject to share more about the impact the support from the NBA Foundation and the @bullscommunity has had on our work. Long story short, we love being in partnership with people who get it 🫱🏾‍🫲🏽 One of the coolest things about the experience was not only being able to brainstorm and collaborate with other grantees, but giving one of our students @trackstarjs his first #SuiteLife experience. 🤩 Thank you for all you do @nbafoundation @bullscommunity 🙏🏽

Applications for the ACCELERATE program are open! This summer, students can choose a path that fits their goals: 🔹 Intrapreneurship Track: Gain hands-on experience through a paid internship, build professional skills, and learn how businesses operate from the inside. 🔹 Entrepreneurship Track: Take your business or idea to the next level with mentorship, expert guidance, and the opportunity to pitch for funding through Pitch Black. Whether you're looking to grow within a company or build something of your own, ACCELERATE helps you develop real-world skills and meaningful connections. Know a student ready to take that next step? Encourage them to apply before May 22. /graymatterexp/accelerate

Over the past 10 years, the Gray Matter Experience has helped young people see what’s possible, while giving them the support, resources, and confidence to go after it. ㅤ From classrooms to internships to launching businesses, our students are not just preparing for the future. They’re shaping it. This milestone reflects what’s possible when young people are given access, support, and the opportunity to lead. ㅤ Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. We're just getting started.

“I want to say shout out to Don C because he was really empowering… I hope I see him again.” – Damarid We took a group of high school students from Phillips HS and Englewood STEM to the United Center for a behind-the-scenes experience inside the home of the Chicago Bulls. From touring office spaces to stepping inside the locker room, students got a firsthand look at what is possible. They also pitched their businesses to the Bulls back office, gaining real-time feedback and insight after learning about different career paths. The highlight of the day: a conversation with Don C, in which students explored creativity, branding, and what it means to build as entrepreneurs. Thank you to our partners at PepsiCo and the Chicago Bulls for creating space for our students to learn, grow, and be inspired!

David started V3rzatile two years ago with a clear vision and a willingness to build. What stands out most is not just the clothing. It’s the environment he chose to grow in. “The support is great. The team is great. The networking is great.” That’s what building alongside other young entrepreneurs looks like. Not in isolation, but in community. Through The Gray Matter Experience, students like David are surrounded by people who are thinking, creating, and pushing forward in real time. That proximity matters. It sharpens ideas, builds confidence, and creates momentum. Programs like IDEATE, ACTIVATE, and ACCELERATE are designed to do exactly that. They bring young people into spaces where they can test ideas, connect with peers, and learn directly from mentors and practitioners. For David, that meant continuing to build his brand while being supported by a network that understands the process. Entrepreneurship is not just about having an idea. It’s about having the environment to develop it. V3rzatile is one example of what happens when young people are given access to that environment. And this is what Gray Matter has been building for the past ten years. Spaces where ideas move forward, and where young people don’t have to build alone.

From the classroom to the United Center🏀 Students from Phillips HS and Englewood STEM stepped inside the United Center, explored exclusive spaces, pitched their businesses, and learned directly from @chicagodonc on creativity, business and branding. And this vlog captures it all, from their perspective. This is what happens when young people are given access, opportunity, and a seat in the room. 💡 Thank you to our partners at @pepsico @pepsicosocialimpact and the @bullscommunity for helping create this experience. #GrayMatterExperience #ChicagoYouth #YouthEntrepreneurs #FutureLeaders #CareerExposure

A decade of Gray Matter has produced a growing network of alumni who continue building, learning, and leading in their communities.⁠ ⁠ Many of these young leaders began their journey by testing a simple idea in one of our programs. ⁠ ⁠ Elizabeth started The Flour Fairy out of a love of baking, and she was one of the recipients of a $375 micro-grant at our Young Entrepreneurs Market, where she sold her treats to community members and supporters. ⁠ ⁠ Elizabeth's story is what becomes possible when young people are given the support, exposure, and resources to explore their potential.

Over the past decade, students in The Gray Matter Experience have built ideas, practiced pitching, and developed the confidence to share their work with the world. But the real story begins after the program ends. Many alumni continue launching ventures, stepping into professional careers, and applying the entrepreneurial mindset they developed through Gray Matter to new opportunities and challenges. Endea graduated from Hustle Hacks earlier this year, and received micro-grants for more than $1,000 at our Young Entrepreneurs Market to keep building her clothing brand, Revamped Hazard. Endea's journey reflects the long-term impact of early investment in young people.

The ACCELERATE application deadline is approaching. Students in the program gain mentorship, internship opportunities, and the chance to strengthen entrepreneurial and professional skills alongside peers who share their curiosity and ambition. Applications close May 22nd. If you know a student ready to explore new opportunities and expand their network, encourage them to apply soon. /graymatterexp/accelerate

When Emmanuel Thompson started building a mental health app in high school, he had the idea, the drive, and almost none of the support. “You kind of run into a lot of different challenges when you're trying to start something like that,” Emmanuel shared. “You come from such a limited well of information.” That changed when a trusted mentor connected him to The Gray Matter Experience. Through Gray Matter, Emmanuel was pushed to think differently, take risks, and see failure as part of growth. “My life changed immensely,” he said. He built an entrepreneurial mindset that helped him win over $10,000 in pitch competitions, expand his professional network, and gain confidence navigating unfamiliar spaces. That mindset followed him beyond entrepreneurship. Gray Matter helped Emmanuel develop the professional skills that led to his role as a Data Analyst at Aon, where he applies the same creativity, resilience, and problem-solving every day. “For sure, the entrepreneurial mindset is the game changer,” Emmanuel reflected. “You understand that you may fail, and it’s okay. You just keep pushing forward.” Stories like Emmanuel’s are why Gray Matter exists. We don’t just teach business concepts. We equip young people with the mindset, skills, and networks that open doors long after the program ends. When potential meets opportunity, futures change.

Still thinking about the impact from our Hustle Hacks Market… Students showed up ready to build and sell: ✨ 10–20+ customers per student ✨ $1,500 in microgrants distributed ✨ 65+ guests supporting ✨ 7 young entrepreneurs in action Shoutout to Endea from Revamped Hazard, our top earner, making almost $1,000 in one day 👏🏾 And the best part? Every student said they would recommend our Hustle Hacks program! @theflourfairy._ @sprspdco @taylorstacoschicago @experienceruby @alt__chicago This is what it looks like when young people are given the opportunity to lead, build, and earn. We're currently accepting applications for our summer ACCELERATE program. Tag a young person who should apply today!

Mentors often describe volunteering with TGME as one of the most rewarding ways to support the next generation of leaders. By sharing their experiences and perspectives, volunteers help students see possibilities they may not have considered before. Conversations about careers, entrepreneurship, and leadership can shift how young people imagine their future. We are grateful to every professional who contributes time and mentorship to this community. Interested in getting involved? Learn more at /volunteer.