IYT Martin Luther King Jr. Tech. Academy Impact Update: February 2026

Month in Review: Momentum & Higher Education

February at Martin Luther King Jr. Technology Academy was all about exploring the heights of higher education and building the daily habits required to get there. From touring a university campus to witnessing a live PhD defense, our young men are seeing their future possibilities firsthand.

Envisioning the Future: College Tour - CSU Stanislaus

A group of IYT students gather around to listen to our tour guide talk about their newly renovated science building that is made from recycled products.

IYT had a phenomenal time at CSU Stanislaus! We had the opportunity to tour their beautiful campus, enjoy lunch in the dining commons, and watch a portion of the baseball game while growing our bond with Brothers from our partner schools. We learned all about what college dorm life looks like, how to choose a major, and how that specific pathway leads into a successful career.

Witnessing a Live PhD Defense

Brothers participated in asking questions and getting answers about PhDs, how to acquire a PhD, and other great questions during a program manager's dissertation.

What’s a PhD? Do you get a PhD at a regular college? Is that the same as a bachelor's degree? How long does it take? These were just some of the fantastic questions we were able to answer and discuss with our IYT students after enjoying the unique opportunity of watching one of our IYT Program Managers defend her dissertation on Zoom! It was an amazing discussion, and we were so lucky to have the opportunity to support her while learning more about the highest levels of education.

Staying the Course: The Momentum Stack

Brothers engage in a discussion about consistency and motivation led by IYT mentor Bryce.

This month’s workshops centered around habit building, momentum, and staying the course. Brothers built “The Momentum Stack” during an interactive workshop as we discussed the positive actions and habits we utilized this month. In a follow-up session, we took a deep dive into what it truly takes to build momentum and maintain consistency even during hard times.

Brothers of the Month

Brother Hezekiah

7th Grade

Brother Hezekiah has shown tremendous growth from December leading into February!

He has been very respectful and consistently stays on task during study hall. He has also grown immensely in his leadership skills and regularly requests to lead the class in “Our Brotherhood Standards” and “The IYT Creed." We are incredibly proud of the growth he has made and the leader he is becoming within our space!

Upcoming Events

Name	Date & Time	Description
College Tour Field Trip - Chico State University	Sat. 4/11/26 - Bus Pick-Up will be at 8:00 AM	Students will have the opportunity for a fun and engaging tour of the Chico State campus, enjoy lunch in the dining commons, and end the day watching the University Track and Field Meet. Approximate return time is 6:00 PM.

Program Directory & Schedules

Program Manager: Tia Bess

Phone: 916-750-6992

Email: tia@improveyourtomorrow.org

Martin Luther King Jr. Technology Academy

Programming Schedule: Mondays (2:45 - 4:00pm), Wednesdays (12:45 - 3:00pm), & Fridays (2:45 - 4:00pm) Study Hall: Mondays & Wednesdays

Caseload Info

Tia Bess

Program Manager

I have a passion for making changes in my community. I believe the best way to fight against systemic oppression is through advocacy on a community level and individual level. My experiences motivate me to work towards dismantling the school to prison pipeline that impacts young men of color in our country.

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