Creating Brotherhood: How Johnny Dominguez is Expanding Opportunities for Young Men of Color in Nevada
Learn about IYT Nevada’s Executive Director, Johnny Dominguez
Across the country, young men of color navigate a unique cross-section of promise and pressure. They possess immense ambition and potential, yet frequently encounter systemic barriers; from disproportionate discipline in school, to narrow college to career pathways.
At IYT, closing the opportunity gap requires more than just academic intervention. It demands relationships, representation, and a sustained sense of belonging. Leading that charge in the Silver State is Johnny Dominguez, Executive Director of IYT Nevada.
In a recent conversation, Dominguez shared his reflections on the wins and challenges of establishing IYT in the region, and his vision for transforming the landscape for young men of color across Nevada.
Leadership Fueled by Purpose
For Dominguez, the decision to join IYT was rooted in patterns he observed throughout his career in college access. “I saw that many talented Black and Brown young men were not engaging in programs or receiving the same support to explore postsecondary opportunities,” he explained. “They didn’t lack ability or ambition, but many were navigating peer pressure, family responsibilities, limited guidance, and systems that weren’t designed with their success in mind.”
While pursuing a Master’s degree, Dominguez designed a college access initiative centered on mentorship and cultural identity for first-generation Latino students; an experience that crystalized his professional focus. “What keeps me energized is seeing what becomes possible when students receive consistent support,” he shared. “Whether their path leads to a university, community college, trade program, or meaningful career, they deserve the opportunity to not only succeed, but to thrive.”
Navigating Nevada’s Unique Landscape
Expanding IYT into Nevada meant adapting a model proven in California to fit a distinctly dynamic, highly mobile region. While Nevada offers tremendous economic growth, access to opportunity remains uneven.
“Our young people are ambitious and capable, yet many schools are navigating limited resources, transportation barriers, and longstanding disparities in educational outcomes. For young men of color, those challenges can be especially pronounced. They’re often disproportionally impacted by school discipline, have fewer opportunities to see themselves represented in education and leadership, and may have limited access to experiences that expose them to careers beyond traditional, local industries,” Dominguez notes.
Despite those systemic challenges, as well as having to navigate shifting school budgets, staffing changes, and the difficulty of building a regional presence from the ground up, Dominguez’s team delivered incredible first-year results:
Capacity Reached: At one school site, they reached a full capacity of 100 students.
Academic Growth: Students who entered the program with GPAs below 1.0 raised their academic standing as high as a 3.0 within the first year.
Holistic Impact: Teachers reported improved focus, attendance, and classroom behavior, while parents expressed deep gratitude for having additional trusted adults invested in their sons’ growth.
“We have a chance to be more intentional about connecting young people to mentors, careers, higher education, and community. For our young men of color that means ensuring they’re not defined by the opportunities immediately around them, but are given the exposure, relationships, and support to imagine, and choose, a much broader future.”
Culture, Agency, and the Power of Brotherhood
At the core of our programming is the IYT Creed; a group affirmation repeated daily that emphasizes resilience, community responsibility, and peer accountability. For Dominguez, watching students transition from initial skepticism to active ownership of the Creed represents a true measure of success.
“At first, many of our young men arrive wanting to be ‘too cool’ for a group affirmation,” Dominguez reflects. “But over time, you hear them own the words: ‘We will not quit in the face of adversity,’ ‘We will work to improve our community,’ and especially, ‘We are our brother’s keeper.’”
One moment in particular underscored this shift: when a potential altercation between two students was defused not by staff, but by a peer stepping in and asking, “We’re all brothers, right?”
“That was powerful because it showed the culture was no longer something adults were trying to impose,” Dominguez explained. “The students had taken ownership of it themselves. We are helping young men see themselves differently, feel responsible for one another, and understand that success is something we build together.”
Building an Ecosystem of Support
“We want our members to graduate with a plan for what comes next and the confidence to pursue it.”
Understanding that long term impact requires systemic collaboration, Dominguez has deliberately aligned IYT Nevada’s strategic efforts with key stakeholder groups in the region:
School Districts: Partnering closely with initiatives like the Clark County School District’s Destination District plan to integrate mentorship and career readiness into safe, supportive school environments.
Higher Education: Establishing early exposure to university campuses and building admissions pathways for IYT scholars.
Corporate Partners: Connecting members with professional networks, career exploration, and workforce pipelines so they can make informed choices about their futures.
Looking Ahead: Sustainability & Community Action
Johnny Dominguez, Executive Director of IYT Nevada
Over the next three to five years, Dominguez aims to build a sustainable foundation that connects students in a unified network of brotherhood spanning across Nevada.
“A big part of that vision is stability,” says Dominguez. “Many of our young men experience uncertainty in different areas of their lives, and I want IYT to be something they can count on; a consistent community of mentors, brothers, and supporters who continue showing up for them.”
Achieving this vision however, requires community-wide investment. Dominguez urges prospective donors, partners, mentors, and parents to view targeted support for young men of color as an additive strength for the entire community.
“Supporting young men of color does not diminish the importance of supporting other students,” he asserts. “It means recognizing specific gaps and choosing to respond intentionally. Whether through mentoring, donor investment, corporate partnerships, or parental involvement, helping our sons become their best selves takes a community willing to believe in them, especially when others may have already counted them out.”
Looking ahead, Dominguez feels hopeful about the future of IYT Nevada. “For me personally, this work represents an opportunity to build something that can change lives across Nevada. My hope is that over time it grows into something our communities are proud to call their own, with a lasting network of support that helps young men become their very best.”
Interested in how you can get involved and support IYT Nevada? Click the button below to learn more and get in touch!