Executive Briefing: IYT Minnesota
January 2025
Closing the Year with Community
IYT Brothers from Brooklyn Middle School showed off their new sweatshirts.
December was a season of celebration and gratitude across our Minnesota sites. During Winter Break, IYT created unforgettable memories for 111 Brothers by taking them to two Minnesota Timberwolves games. The energy, competition, and community made for an incredible experience as they cheered on the home team against the Nets and Knicks.
The celebration continued at Brooklyn Middle School, where Brothers received new hoodies generously donated by the Graves Foundation. Presented during a holiday celebration, these hoodies symbolize warmth, pride, and the village that supports our students. We are incredibly grateful to the Graves Foundation for helping our young men close out the year feeling confident and valued.
Upcoming Support Opportunity
MN Service Day For MN Service Day, we are heading back to Feed My Starving Children (FMSC)! This marks our second year volunteering to pack and ship nutritious meals to children facing food insecurity globally. We are excited to continue building a tradition rooted in service and giving back to communities beyond our own.
Turning Pain into Purpose
This month our focus was on vulnerability and personal growth. From honest conversations about mental health to setting ambitious academic goals, our Brothers showed that true strength comes from self awareness.
Aneela Idani joined us at Richfield and Osseo Area Schools to share her powerful journey of turning pain into purpose. Opening up about her experience with Trichotillomania, she demonstrated how she invented a device to support others with the condition. Her story created a safe, intimate space where Brothers felt empowered to connect, show vulnerability, and support one another on a deeper level.
Building the Circle
We welcomed Varmah Sonie, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman, who taught the Brothers: "Build your circle based on who will help you grow, not hold you back!"
Students also partnered with Community Partnership Collective 2.0 to create anti-bullying posters, earning a little extra money for the holidays while showing off their creative side.
Building Accountability & Leadership
December brought powerful conversations to Hopkins as Brothers tapped into on-campus leadership. The focus was on "Manhood and Accountability," reinforcing that bullying will not be tolerated and that success requires showing up even when it is hard.
Hopkins Principal Lorenzo Farley spoke candidly with Brothers about navigating failure and success as men of color. In collaboration with Community Partnership Collective 2.0, Brothers facilitated an Anti-Hate workshop, committing to holding each other accountable. To recognize their engagement, each Brother received a $20 Target gift card!
Outstanding Academic Achievement
In our most recent semester, eight of our members earned a spot on the A Honor Roll, and 11 members achieved B Honor Roll. To celebrate, we hosted a pizza party, honoring their dedication and commitment to excellence.
Brother Keith (“KJ”) has shown strong growth in Social Studies and English by using his time effectively during programming. He recently set a goal to earn a spot on the B Honor Roll, and his focus and commitment to improvement are paying off.
Brother Mo has demonstrated a strong commitment to personal growth, showing up consistently and becoming more mindful of his presence in class. He has made meaningful progress in managing his emotions, recognizing that he can lean on IYT for support during challenging moments.
Brother Aziah has been a force of positivity as a freshman! He leads with confidence and recently won Park Center’s mock interview competition, earning the role of a sports broadcaster. Aziah brings intention to every session, raising the bar for what it means to be a Brother.
Brother Franck is excelling with all A’s in his current classes! He consistently sets a high standard for himself and intentionally encourages those around him to stay on track. His commitment highlights not only academic growth but also his emerging leadership.
Brother Marque “MJ” earned the highest GPA in Q1 with an impressive 3.22! Known for his quiet demeanor and the respect he commands from his peers, MJ shows incredible potential as a leader.
Brother Sean is making powerful strides, on track to finish the term with no D’s or F’s! He consistently works with focus during study hall, ensuring his grades reflect his effort and commitment to the goals he set for himself.
Brother Ibrahim is setting the bar high, earning outstanding grades and preparing to enroll in PSEO/Dual Enrollment next year. His dedication to both academics and personal growth is impressive, and he consistently shows up ready to participate.
Funder Acknowledgement: Champion Spotlight
We are excited to announce that IYT Minnesota has been awarded a 2025 Annual Grant of $1,300 from the Richfield Foundation. We are truly grateful for their support and for recognizing the impact IYT is making with students and families in the Richfield community.
Thank you for believing in our mission!
Foundations: The Constellation Fund, Richfield Foundation, Graves Foundation, NBA Foundation, Huntington Foundation, Wright Hennepin Cooperative, HB Fuller Foundation, Tickets for Kids.
Corporate Partners: AMPACT, Raising Canes, Chili’s, 4IMPRINT, Associated Bank.
Education Partners: North Hennepin Community College, University of Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State University Mankato.