Network Leaders

College Matters! (Em)Power Breakfast Celebrates Alumni Impacting Their Communities

(Em)Power Breakfast

College Matters! Nearly 400 champions, supporters, and student ambassadors joined us on October 17th to celebrate Student Leadership Network’s impact on advancing educational equity. The 17th annual (Em)Power Breakfast honored three alumni who are creating change in their communities and paving the way to opportunities for current students.

Two guests hugging with joyful expressions

A joyful moment of connection at the (Em)Power Breakfast

Board members in professional and festive attire pose for photo in front of event backdrop

Members of Student Leadership Network’s Board of Directors

Ann Tisch, Founder and President of Student Leadership Network, welcomed guests to the 17th Annual (Em)Power Breakfast

Laura Jarrett speaks at podium with arms gesturing to her left

Laura Jarrett, co-anchor of Saturday TODAY and NBC News, served as the morning’s host

Event presenters pose for photo in front of event backdrop

Event presenters Scott M. Mills from BET Media Group, Erika Irish Brown from Citi, and Jon Roure from Student Leadership Network

Yolonda Marshall, CEO of Student Leadership Network, highlighted the organization’s impact on college enrollment and access

Family and guests, including a smiling toddler, in professional and festive attire pose for photo in front of event backdrop

Honoree Kenya Bryant, third from left, and her family

Erika Irish Brown and Kenya Bryant hold certificate on stage

Erika Irish Brown presented Kenya Bryant with her award

Event honoree Angel Santana receives a congratulatory kiss from his wife

Honoree Angel Santana received a congratulatory kiss from his wife

Jon Roure and Angel Santana hold certificate on stage

Jon Roure presented Angel Santana with his award

Event honoree Sharlim Raysor gestures to her family in the audience

Honoree Sharlim Raysor thanked her family in her remarks

Scott Mills and Sharlim Raysor hold certificate on stage

Scott M. Mills presented Sharlim Raysor with her award

Ann Tisch and students gather for photo in front of event backdrop

Ann Tisch and Student Leadership Network students celebrated the 17th Annual (Em)Power Breakfast

Highlights from the (Em)Power Breakfast

Our visionary Founder and President, Ann Tisch, kicked off the event with an enthusiastic welcome to our dedicated supporters, advocates, and friends. She reflected, “When I began our schools now 28 years ago, it was with the dream of a first-class education and access to college for every one of our students. I’m so proud to say it has become a reality – a dream come true.” Yolonda Marshall, CEO of Student Leadership Network, emphasized the organization’s critical work and the transformative impact of higher education: “As many of you well know, gender, racial, and socioeconomic inequity leads to lower college enrollment rates for many students. At Student Leadership Network, we are working to close that gap with an array of programs led by the best team in the business and by working one-on-one with students and their families to help them apply successfully to college. And it’s working. Our students have higher college enrollment rates than their national peers across the board!”

(Em)Power Breakfast guests saw this impact in action through an inspiring video about the college pathways of three recent high school graduates.

Meet Our Honorees

Laura Jarrett, co-anchor of Saturday TODAY and NBC News, generously shared her time as the morning’s host and introduced our distinguished presenters and honorees.

“The world is bigger than your block, so explore, live. But don’t forget the block that raised you. Pay it forward.”

Kenya Bryant is a 2008 graduate of The Young Women’s Leadership School and a Program Officer at the Citi Foundation, where she manages key partnerships for the Foundation’s commitment to closing the racial wealth gap via grant portfolios like Community Progress Makers and the Community Finance and Innovation Fund. Erika Irish Brown, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer and Global Head of Talent at Citi, presented her award.

“Because of directors of college counseling, countless students are fortunate to not let their circumstances define them but to live out their wildest dreams through higher education.”

Angel Santana has always been deeply rooted in public service. With a career spanning state government and nonprofits, he serves as the Vice President for Community Relations at Empire State Development. Angel credits the CollegeBound Initiative for paving his journey to higher education and a fulfilling career. He also gave a shoutout to his sister Natalie, who is also a CollegeBound Initiative alumna, who now teaches students with special needs. Jon Roure, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer of Student Leadership Network, who was also Angel’s director of college counseling nearly two decades ago, presented his award.

“It was here that I learned the importance of education and the doors it can open. The experiences and lessons from TYWLS have been instrumental in preparing me for college and beyond.”

Sharlim Raysor, a 2003 alumna of The Young Women’s Leadership School, is a seasoned Vice President of Travel and Expense at Paramount, with a proven track record of strategic planning and process improvement. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she actively volunteers in the Harlem community, with her sons’ schools and athletic programs, and consistently gives back to those in need. Scott M. Mills, President and Chief Executive Officer of BET Media Group, presented her award.

These alumni exemplify the life-changing power of educational equity and college access. Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Breakfast! Your support equips our students with the tools and resources they deserve to reach their full potential.

Gratitude

Special thanks to all of our sponsors, especially our lead sponsors: The Estée Lauder Companies, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund.

Event sponsor logos include Estee Lauder Companies, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund — *(Em)Power Breakfast sponsors, in formation*

The (Em)Power Breakfast raises funds to support and expand our program models across the country. See if your employer will match your gift through the Double the Donation tool on our giving page. If you have not yet given, please consider making a gift in support of this important work!

Make a Gift

Enjoy more highlights from the event below!

Ann Tisch looks up to the stage with excitement

Founder and President Ann Tisch enjoyed the program video alongside (Em)Power Breakfast guests

Event presenter Jon Roure speaks from the podium

Jon Roure introduced Angel Santana, who he was proud to know while he was a director of college counseling nearly two decades ago

Proud family in audience, including a toddler, looks to the stage

Honoree Kenya Bryant’s family celebrated alongside other (Em)Power Breakfast guests

Event honoree Kenya Bryant gestures from podium

“You belong in every room you walk into,” shared Kenya Bryant in her speech.

Two young women pose for photo in front of event banners

Longtime friends Autumn and Kenya attended The Young Women’s Leadership School together

Student Leadership Network CEO with students and guests pose for photo in front of event backdrop

Yolonda Marshall, CEO of Student Leadership Network, with current students at the 17th Annual (Em)Power Breakfast

Guests in professional and festive attire pose for photo

Celebrating at the 17th Annual (Em)Power Breakfast

Guests in professional and festive attire pose for photo in front of event backdrop

Celebrating the 17th Annual (Em)Power Breakfast

Celebrating at the 17th Annual (Em)Power Breakfast