IYT Bay Area Executive Briefing: December 2025
- Kevin Akins
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
State of the Region
As we enter the holiday season, I want to extend my heartfelt wishes to our Improve Your Tomorrow Bay Area community. This is a time to reflect, give thanks, and celebrate the collective impact we’ve made together in the lives of young men across the Bay Area.
Because of your partnership, belief, and generosity, our students continue to access mentorship, academic support, and pathways to opportunity—reminding us that when a community comes together, equity and excellence are possible.
From all of us at IYT Bay Area, thank you for walking alongside us this year. Wishing you and your loved ones a season filled with joy, rest, and hope for the year ahead.
Growth & Expansion: IYT Comes to San Lorenzo High
We are excited to announce that IYT will kick off the new year at a new partner site: San Lorenzo High School.
The San Lorenzo Unified School District Board has officially granted contract approval for the partnership. It is with great excitement that we will start serving the Brothers of San Lorenzo High School in January 2026.
Leadership Spotlight: Attorney General Rob Bonta Visits IYT
We were honored to take part in a press conference and volunteer service activity on December 2nd at Natomas High School and Joey’s Food Locker with NHS Principal Marcel Baker, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and GO-Serve Director and CA Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday.
Service is inherently powerful, and intentionally woven into the foundation of IYT. We’ve seen time and again the positive change that happens when people step up to serve their community, and put their values into action.
We’d like to thank Attorney General Rob Bonta and Josh Fryday for their unwavering support of programs like ours, and for taking the time to meet with Team IYT.
Watch the video highlights of the visit in the link below:
Community Spotlight: Holiday Cocktail Hour
On December 11, 2025, in partnership with EdTrust West, Improve Your Tomorrow Bay Area held its first Holiday Cocktail Hour.
This marked our first networking event where IYT was the spotlight organization. We made new friends and met potential IYT champions and supporters. We would like to thank everyone who attended, with a special thanks to EdTrust West Executive Director Chris Nellums for welcoming IYT and giving us the platform to shine.
End of Year Giving: Help More Young Men Get To and Through College
From 6th grade through college, Improve Your Tomorrow walks alongside boys and young men of color with near-peer mentorship, college access support, and leadership development so they can thrive in school and beyond.
As 2025 comes to a close, we are reflecting on a year of growth. As you consider your year-end giving, we invite you to help ensure that more young men have access to the resources they deserve. Your gift today empowers students to persist in school, graduate, and step into their full potential.
How to Give: We gratefully accept gifts of stock and contributions through donor-advised funds. To make a gift, please contact Mariko Kawashima:
Email: mariko@improveyourtomorrow.org
Phone: (279) 242-5442
Improve Your Tomorrow is a 501(c)(3) registered charity (EIN: 46-2981774); contributions may be tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Leadership Update: Bay Area Board of Advisors
We're thrilled to announce our new Board of Advisors for IYT Bay Area! These dedicated individuals are deeply committed to moving the needle forward for young men of color.
Featured Advisor
Robert Marcus
Chief Strategy & Impact Officer, Positive Coaching Alliance
"IYT is building the kind of sustained support system that breaks down barriers and opens doors, and I'm honored to be part of that work."
Funder Acknowledgement: Champion Spotlight
At Improve Your Tomorrow, we are deeply grateful for the generous support of funders from across the nation who make our work possible. Your contributions fuel life-changing programs that empower young men of color to achieve their full potential in education, career, and community leadership. Together, we are building brighter futures and stronger communities.
Thank you for believing in our mission!
Antioch Community Foundation
Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services
Crankstart Foundation
Goodwin Family Memorial Trust
Greenbridge Family Foundation
Kimball Foundation
Ross Stores Foundation
Teichert Foundation
Tipping Point Community