Fall News 2023

Last month, STRIVE announced a historic $8 million in unrestricted funding from MacKenzie Scott whose highly coveted support will allow STRIVE to significantly expand national impact.

Ms. Scott’s support arrives as we embark on an ambitious growth plan to deepen our programs in existing locations, expand into new markets and secure long-term financial strength with the goal of increasing the number of people served from 2,000 to 10,000 annually by 2033. 

This affirming gift comes on the heels of $5 million from The Justice and Mobility Fund to drive STRIVE’s growth deeper into the most disconnected communities of our nation including the justice impacted. The Justice and Mobility Fund is a collaboration launched by The Ford Foundation, Blue Meridian Partners and Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. 

 “MacKenzie Scott’s support highlights what so many of us have known to be true for years—STRIVE works and is worth bold investment. Economic mobility is essential for everyone and STRIVE is a lynchpin in making it happen for those who have a tougher road. With support from The Justice and Mobility Fund, and now Ms. Scott, we are well-fueled to expand our reach into more communities in need, driving forward the vision we share with our local partners. This is a solid start, with much more needed to carry us through to meet society’s needs. I know we will get there.”  

Brian Friedman, President, Jefferies Financial Group Inc. & STRIVE Board Co-Chair

STRIVE Announces Key Hires to Drive National Growth and Impact

STRIVE is excited to announce three new strategic leadership roles that will elevate and support our next decade of national growth.

Monique Baptiste, Chief Program Officer will lead all aspects of STRIVE’s national workforce programming, including program strategy and design, performance management and evidence-building. Monique brings over two decades of talent development and global philanthropy expertise that will inform STRIVE’s innovation and national growth as an industry-leading workforce agency. She comes to STRIVE from JPMorgan Chase where she held key leadership roles in global philanthropy and the development of talent diversity strategies firmwide.

“I’m excited to be joining STRIVE at this pivotal time and am ready to hit the ground running. It’s been my life’s work to move the needle on economic equity by driving intentional, strategic approaches to helping people who have been failed by the system. Opening doors to opportunity is one of the most effective ways to implement change, and I look forward to building upon the phenomenal impact that STRIVE has in every community they enter.”

Monique Baptiste, STRIVE Chief Program Officer 

Jonathan Bonaiuto, Vice President of Strategy & Growth will lead and shape the execution of STRIVE’s strategic direction while ensuring the successful achievement of mission and goals.

Van Freeman, Director of Public Policy & Investment will build and lead our short and long-term policy influencing efforts to drive more local, state and federal investment in economic mobility.

Angela Shiloh Cryer named Founding Executive Director of STRIVE New Orleans

A celebrated nonprofit change agent whose public service career spans over two decades, STRIVE New Orleans Founding Executive Director Angela Shiloh Cryer (pictured at right) was carefully selected to spearhead STRIVE’s newly announced site.

Ms. Shiloh Cryer comes to STRIVE from New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA), the official economic development organization for the City of New Orleans where Ms. Shiloh Cryer served as the Senior Director of Advancing Cities/Talent Partnerships.

Ms. Shiloh Cryer has a long history with STRIVE, serving as the head of STRIVE’s highly successful partnership with The City of New Orleans to deliver services beginning in 2015.

STRIVE Birmingham Hits the Ground Running

STRIVE Birmingham inaugural cohort graduates with staff in August 2023

In August, STRIVE Birmingham gathered with community partners and loved ones for a culminating graduation of their pilot cohort of STRIVE's Healthcare & Office Operations training. Each graduate has earned the credentials needed to become a certified administrative medical assistant (AMA) in Birmingham, helping them get their foot in the door to a rewarding career that offers fair pay, good benefits and onramps to advancement.

“STRIVE has been so much more than a job training program. Yes, I gained the skills and certifications I was looking for, and I learned a lot about my career path options, as I expected. But I was honestly surprised to get so much encouragement during the process. I found myself suddenly a part of this big support system. We are the first graduating class of STRIVE Birmingham, and over the past ten weeks, we have built a true sisterhood that will help carry us through whatever life throws at us from now.”

Raven, STRIVE Birmingham '23 Graduate

Earlier in the week, Truist gathered with STRIVE in Birmingham to celebrate $1 million in funding to help fuel STRIVE's national growth, including the launch of STRIVE Birmingham.

From left to right: Jomal Vailes, STRIVE Atlanta; Dana Inman, Atlanta Center for Self-Sufficiency; Dominique Ellis, LISC Atlanta; Spencer Clark, Inspiritus at the LISC National Convention in Indianapolis.

Earlier this month STRIVE Atlanta Executive Director Jomal Vailes presented at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) national convening in Indianapolis.

The FOC is a coalition of LISC partners dedicated to the integration of financial empowerment programming into wraparound services. More than 200+ partners, funders and stakeholders were in attendance.

"This was an incredible opportunity to build new relationships and educate other service providers about the impact of financial coaching for our students," says Jomal who, following the convening, was invited to present before the local advisory committee at LISC Atlanta in November.

STRIVE Atlanta is one of the few workforce development agencies in the region to have a designated financial empowerment coach on staff and will be offering community workshops in 2024.

“The best part of STRIVE is how they don’t let you quit. They make sure you are getting what you need to keep moving closer toward your goals."

Kameron, STRIVE New York Future Leaders '23 Graduate

Kameron came to STRIVE Future Leaders in New York when they were looking for a job training program that would help them build their independence and discipline.



Kameron found in addition to the job readiness training, they gained valuable perspective that improved how they see their own life and what is possible for their future. Kameron was especially glad to learn how to save money, no matter how tight the budget, to create a financial safety net for emergencies.

After graduation Kameron was placed in an internship and was then permanently hired to do facilities maintenance at Columbia University. Kameron is inspired to continue their education and plans to open their own business one day. 

STRIVE Future Leaders is an innovative, comprehensive program for justice-impacted young adults that incorporates evidence-based, informed practices and promising strategies to help youth grow as thriving adults in their communities. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and was developed in collaboration with MDRC and the Youth Development Institute, with support from The Annie E. Casey Foundation.

STRIVE Young Professionals Chair Liz Churgin with STRIVE graduate Romelia Corvacho at the SYP Night of Music in October 2023

On October 11 the STRIVE Young Professionals (SYP) gathered at Serafina in Tribeca, NYC for a night of networking and music provided by live band Love Deep! This was the first in-person event hosted by the SYP post pandemic.

"The success of this event has jump-started engagement in our extended networks. The next day we began receiving inquiries from guests who want to learn more about STRIVE and how they can get involved," says STRIVE Young Professionals Chair Liz Churgin.

The STRIVE Young Professionals Network is an engaged community dedicated to facilitating greater awareness about STRIVE and our commitment to ending systemic generational poverty through equitable access to career opportunities.

Click the invitation to view our top sponsors

Join STRIVE to celebrate the impact of our programs and recognize Board Co-Chair and Graduate Roy Castro and our featured corporate partner, Annaly Capital Managment.

If you are unable to attend this year's gala, donations at every level are greatly appreciated. Your generosity WILL make a difference.