This year, has been nothing short of phenomenal! Beginning, with the expansion of our Saturday Science Academy, our Healthcare and Mentor platforms, and our formalized partnership with the Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL), and ending with sponsoring another impressive cohort of students in our scholars program.

The Bridge Builders Foundation has grown to be more than just a trusted provider of quality programs. We are “Community Influencers” that assist in defining problems and framing solutions. This is evidenced by our large and growing number of corporate and philanthropic partners, as well as our ever expanding list of community partners who we align with to meet the vast and varied needs of youth and communities of color.

This newsletter is but a “snapshot” of our recent activities. We welcome you to visit our website, or call us to learn more about the Bridge Builders Foundation.

- James Breedlove, President

ContentIncreasing Youth STEM Exposure Across Los Angeles

Salute Scholarship [Giving surpasses $700,000AIDS Healthcare Foundation [Saving Young Lives]

Mentor Program >> ExpandsBlack Tie GALA [Diversity in the Arts and Sciences]

newsletter Summer 2019

InCreasIng Youth steM exposure AcroSS LoS AngeLeSThe Bridge Builders Foundation recognized the underrepresentation of African Americans, other minorities, and females in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers over 15 years ago and established the Dr. Ernest E. Just Youth Science Program. The program started with a focus on marine science, which is offered as a Summer Marine Science Camp (SMSC) for middle school minority boys and girls in partnership USC Wrigley Marine Science Center. The SMSC program annually now exposes 40-45 minority boys and girls to the wonders of marine and environmental science over three weekends in August culminating with a three-day, two-night weekend at Wrigley Marine Science Center at Catalina Island.

The E. E. Just Youth Science Program expanded its STEM reach to a year-round scope in 2012 by establishing the Saturday Science Academy (SSA), which offers a curriculum of diversified STEM topics annually on the third and fourth Saturday every month from January to July. SSA lesson plans are standards-based and conducted as classroom instruction with hands-on project involvement and enriched by topic relevant field trips. Classes are taught by college professors and STEM professionals, who are ethnically and gender diversified and supported by African American college graduates as volunteer aids and chaperones.

The Saturday Science Academy has traditionally enrolled 40 to 50 students annually from schools across the Los Angeles basin free of cost. Enrollment significantly grew to 100 in 2019 from a STEM Collaborative Partnership sponsored by the American Honda Foundation (AHF). In 2017 Bridge Builders Foundation was selected by AHF to join a collaboration of eight STEM-based non-profit organizations in an elementary to college STEM/STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) pipeline for boys of color at schools across South LA. The first program implementation site is the Lynwood Unified School District (LUSD). This SSA expansion to include LUSD not only increased enrollment but also expanded our program capacity to include elementary grades 3-5.

The EE Just Youth Science Program owes it success to a dedicated management and support team along with a broad base of partnerships. Key partnerships include the American Honda Foundation, Hitachi SCRAC, Southern California Edison, Weingart Foundation, Ahmason Foundation, and University of Southern California. The classroom instruction is hosted at the Los Angeles Southwest College campus. According to Earl Jones, EE Just Youth Program Director, “This program has afforded youth from underserved communities with a great opportunity without cost. Youth are gaining confidence in STEM disciplines and are benefitting from exposure to instruction, facilities and minority STEM professionals that they would not otherwise have access.”

salute sCholarshIp gIVIng exCeeDs $700,000

In June 2019, the Bridge Builders Foundation held the 37th Annual Salute and Scholarship Banquet and awarded over $75,000 to African American Male high school seniors. This year’s commitment took the grand total awarded since inception to over $700,000, supporting hundreds of young Black men as they matriculate to universities and colleges throughout the nation.

The event began in 1992, as a scholarship fundraiser for members of the Zeta Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. when Fraternity member (and first honoree) Los Angeles City Councilman David Cunningham Jr., agreed to be honored at a banquet and use his influence to raise funds for scholarships. Over the years, many other distinguished individuals with qualitative contributions at the local, regional and national level, have supported this event.

In 2005, the BBF (then known as the Zeta Rho Foundation) shifted the focus from the “event,” to the “cause,” and developed corporate and community partnerships in support of African American Male Academic Achievement. Since 2005, the BBF has added several programmatic layers, including a recurring financial support platform, and individualized mentoring, coaching and career advice.

Students now enter a program, where they are provided an initial scholarship, and 3 additional annual provisional scholarships (must maintain minimum GPA). In addition, students participate in developmental seminars, are provided individual mentors, and given access to ongoing support in the form of coaching and career advice. Each year a cohort, ranging in size from 10-35, enters the program. Proceeds ranging from $70-$85,000 are awarded annually.

BBF scholars have gone on to be Doctors, Lawyers, Rhodes Scholars and distinguished leaders and contributors across multiple disciplines. As noted by program director, Wayne Moore “the numbers speak for themselves, our students 6-year graduation rate is over 88% as compared to the national average of 36%.” The 2020 event is set for Saturday, June 6, 2020, and will be held at the Double Tree by Hilton in Torrance, CA. You can support the African American Male Academic Achievement anytime, by simply visiting the BBF website, www.BridgeBuildersLA.org. (online donations), or mailing us at our offices (3031 S. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90017).

BBF partners wIth aIDs healthCare FounDatIon to SAVe Young LIVeSIn 2018, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation awarded BBF a Grant to develop curriculum and train staff to SAVE LIVES through educating youth on AIDS/HIV/STI. The curriculum, designed by Charles Drew University staff, provides healthy living information targeting youth in the African American and Latino community. In addition to providing the 1 hour information sessions, the BBF has developed co-branded informational materials, and distributes condoms to one of the most difficult to reach demographic of young people. The partnership will expand in 2019, with additional funding to educate more students throughout the Los Angeles and adjacent communities.

In addition, the BBF will support the Ernest E. Just Youth and Community Services Foundation (non-profit servicing the 12th District of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.) to expand the educational platform to include collegiate students and young people on campuses and in communities throughout the ten (10) western states of the United States (Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming).

Mentor prograM >> expanDs! The Bridge Builders Foundation (BBF) will expand the “Thriving Under The Influence” mentor program to include an additional 50 students from King-Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles (LAUSD). The BBF model progresses along a continuum that moves from exposing youth to “success roles,” to presenting African American men as “role models,” and ultimately driving change through “mentoring and coaching.”

Students participate in weekly sessions, and qualify for quarterly, incentive-based field trips, that are earned on the basis of attendance, citizenship and homework completion rates. The program targets African American males, but is open to young men of color at all grade levels. According to King-Drew principal Reginald Brookens, “African American males are the most at-risk and underserved cohort of students at King-Drew,” which led him to take the initiative to identify the problem, and champion the need for support.

According the BBF president, James Breedlove “This partnership is a collaborative effort that is supported through funding from several organizations (Premier Bank, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Los Angeles Angels, Banc of California, and others); and will involve supportive engagement from many of our existing partners. (UNCF, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Charles Drew University and others)” The BBF brings a robust pool of college educated, African American men, from varied professions to expose, inspire and support academic, social and intellectual growth.

BlaCk hIstorY Month eVent:BlaCk tIe gala [DIVerSItY In the ArtS AnD ScIenceS]

On Saturday, February 22, 2020, the BBF will partner with Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA), and the Viscount Foundation to provide an evening of elegance, style and fantastic entertainment in support of advancement of the arts and sciences for youth of color.

The event will be held at the Grand Ballroom and Tom Bradley Theater of the Los Angeles Theater Center (515 Spring Street, Los Angeles) and will feature a Black Tie Reception with performances by the ICYOLA quintet, Heavy Hors d’ oeuvres, wine and spirits, and spirited socializing, followed by a “Black History” themed orchestra presentation by the ICYOLA’s full orchestra. The reception starts at 5:00pm, and the concert will begin at 6:30pm. VIP Tickets are $100. Corporate Sponsorships opportunities range from $2,500 to $25,000; and Souvenir/Playbill sponsorships are ($500 page,$300 1/2 page).

Please remember, the CAUSE always trumps the event. Your attendance is appreciated, but your SUPPORT is transformational. Direct donations support all 3 organizations, and ensures that youth and communities of color have access to programs that advance STEM/STEAM. For tickets, corporate sponsorships, or direct donations, please visit: www.BridgeBuildersLA.org. (Black Tie Gala/Diversity in STEAM).