IYT Minnesota Executive Briefing: January 2025
- Jan 20
- 5 min read
Closing the Year with Community
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 Campaign
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.
Richfield Public Schools
December in Review: Turning Pain into Purpose
This month at Richfield, the 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
Aneela Idani joined us 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.
Academic Achievements: Brother Keith "KJ"
We want to give a big shoutout to Brother Keith "KJ" for his hard work! 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 of the Month
Brother Morris "Mo"
8th Grade
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.
Osseo Area Schools
December in Review: Resilience & Innovation
December in Osseo was defined by resilience and accountability. Our Brothers engaged with powerful stories of overcoming obstacles and took direct action to create a safer school environment through anti-bullying initiatives.
Resilience & Anti-Bullying
Brothers were inspired by Aneela Idani, who shared her journey of innovation and healing. Additionally, IYT partnered with Community Partnership Collaborative 2.0 to host an anti-bullying workshop. Each group created action plans contributing to safer, more inclusive environments, showing true leadership in being part of the solution.
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll Celebration
We are thrilled to celebrate our Trimester 2 results! 8 Brothers earned a spot on the A Honor Roll, and 11 Brothers achieved B Honor Roll. Staff hosted a pizza party to honor their dedication and commitment to excellence.
Brother of the Month
Brother Aziah
9th Grade
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.
St. Louis Park
December in Review: Building the Circle
December was action-packed for SLP! The theme of the month was "Influence"—understanding who is in your circle and how you influence others. From NFL perspectives to creative anti-bullying posters, the Brothers finished the year strong.
Varmah Sonie & CPC 2.0
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!" Brothers 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.
Academic Achievements: Brother Franck
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 of the Month
Brother Marque "MJ"
8th Grade
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.
Hopkins Public Schools
December in Review: 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.
Principal Farley & Anti-Hate
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!
Academic Achievements: Brother Sean
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 of the Month
Brother Ibrahim
10th Grade
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.
Leadership Update: Minnesota Board of Advisors
We're thrilled to announce our new Board of Advisors for IYT Minnesota! These dedicated individuals are deeply committed to moving the needle forward for young men of color.
Featured Advisor
David Hood
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, MSU Mankato
"I support IYT Minnesota because it allows me to draw on nearly two decades of work expanding college access—and my own lived experiences—to help the next generation of scholars see college as a real and attainable opportunity."
Funder Acknowledgement: Champion Spotlight
We are excited to announce that Improve Your Tomorrow—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.