Sacramento, June 3rd

With over 500 people in attendance, our Sacramento ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of over 400 graduates across 45 schools and campuses spanning from middle school, high school, community college, and university.

The ceremony featured speakers from each of our core programs, and included a special performance from IYT Alumni, Alaye Sanders Feat. Breyan Bliss N tha Fellas . 

We were also fortunate enough to have some of our community's strongest advocates for young men of color provide remarks such as Congressmember, Ami Bera, Superintendent of San Juan Unified, Melisa Bassanelli, and Chair of Sutter Independent Physicians, Dr. Thomas Hopkins.

Brentwood & Pittsburg, May 27th

Despite this being our first year in the Bay Area, IYT had over 50 graduates in Brentwood and Pittsburg. We hosted our inaugural celebration at MLK Jr. High School in Pittsburg and were honored to have Superintendent, Eric Volta and Nike Designer Adarius Bell serve as our community speakers.

Tracy, May 20th

We held an inaugural celebration at Earle E. Williams Middle School in Tracy where we celebrated our middle school and high school members and were joined by esteemed community leaders such as Rhodesia Ransom, District Director for Rep. Josh Harder and Executive Director for the Sow a Seed Foundation, as well as Principal Miguel Romo of Williams Middle School.

Richmond & Vallejo, May 13th

Thanks to our great partners at the Tipping Point Foundation and The City of Vallejo, we were able to host our first-ever Vallejo Graduation Celebration. With parents, youth advocates, and school leaders all in attendance, the event truly felt like a unique and important celebration of our member's achievements this past year. Vice Principal of Hogan, Mrs. Camille Jefferson, and Youth advocate and non-profit leader, Damien Gaichinno gave enduring speeches that spoke to themes of excellence, service, and resilience.

Modesto, May 13th

This inaugural celebration was a huge milestone for our Modesto program, who have been working with this year's graduates for the last two years. Over 80 community members and families joined us at Evelyn Hanshaw to celebrate our middle school and high school graduates. Speakers included HS graduate, Ibrahim Abdullah, who will be attending Stanislaus State as a mathematics major in the fall, and middle school graduate, Angel Perez Gomez who is pursuing his college-bound dream of attending UCLA. Community Speakers included Fallon Ferris, Equity Specialist for Modesto City Schools and Ruben Imperial, Stanislaus County Deputy Executive Officer.

Hanshaw's Principal, Deborah Buttler, and Assitant Principal, Monica Allen also gave opening remarks. After attending the ceremony Principal Buttler stated, "Attending graduation was the best decision I made and was exactly what I needed...Seeing the Downey students who originally went to Hanshaw was great...The stories shared, the smiles on parents were enough to know the program is working and making a positive impact."