For over two decades, Chicago Scholars, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leadership development organization, has empowered nearly 6,000 high-performing, under-resourced students to overcome systemic barriers to success in college. Chicago Scholars is the largest education nonprofit in Chicago, a city of over 2.5 million. In addition to its wraparound support for Chicago-based students, Chicago Scholars has created REACH Pathways, a first-of-its-kind app designed to connect top talent with professional opportunities in ways that feel less like homework and more like a video game.

Jeffery Beckham, Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer at Chicago Scholars and co-CEO of Reach Pathways. Jeffery is a community leader, artist and tech-entrepreneur known for advancing the fight for equity for youth and marginalized communities throughout the United States. Jeffery lives by the quote: “To whom much is given, much is required.” He strives to support traditionally underserved youth, working as a mentor with the 100 Black Men of Chicago, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity INC. and other Chicago programs. Jeffery is also a self-taught painter and uses his art to advocate for social and economic justice. His work has been on display around the world.

Brooke McKean, the President at Chicago Scholars and co-CEO of Reach Pathways, has over a decade of executive-level experience in fast-paced and start-up environments, in addition to experience managing teams in 12+ countries. Brooke is an expert in change management and has developed dozens of systems, policies, and infrastructure across all areas of operations, including IT, HR, finance, data systems, and beyond. Brooke believes in service-oriented and values-based leadership to ensure that Chicago Scholars embodies the values that define its programs to “be the change.”

Recommended Resources:
TED-Ed
Twitter spaces
Youtube
Storybird
Finding Nonprofit Sustainability by Brooke Mckean
Dr. Raj Chetty's Research

Career Exploration in the Metaverse with Jeffery Beckham, Jr. and Brooke McKean of Chicago Scholars

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