IYT National Newsletter: March 2026
- Mar 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 2
Expanding Horizons & Amplifying Impact
Spring is officially in motion, and it's been an incredibly busy and rewarding month for Improve Your Tomorrow! From expanding our footprint in the Midwest, to advocating for young men of color at the state level on the East Coast, our mission continues to grow.
Read on for the latest IYT news, media mentions, and other exciting community highlights.
The Governor's Table in Maryland
IYT Maryland joins Governor Moore and Secretary Dorsey for roundtable on state's mental health strategy for young people.
Exciting things are afoot on the East Coast! Recently our Maryland team was honored to participate in a special event with Maryland Governor, Wes Moore, to discuss the profound impact of IYT's programming, and the importance of supporting young men of color.
Featured Highlight: 365 Amplified [Podcast]
IYT Wisconsin's Regional Expansion
News of our expansion in Wisconsin has been picking up incredible momentum! We were recently featured on the podcast 365 Amplified (produced by Madison365), with co-hosts Robert Chappell and Omar Waheed discussing the growth from Madison into Verona, and our goal to eventually reach public schools in Milwaukee.
We recommend listening to the full episode, but one of our favorite quotes came from co-host Waheed regarding an IYT program showcase recently held at Capitol High School.
“When you talk about these programs, they always seem abstract, but they want to end that. They want the community to see. They want leaders in education to come to Capitol High School and actually see what Improve Your Tomorrow is about and how it’s changing the lives of these students.”
Thanks for the love and for amplifying our work, Madison365! Click the button below to learn more and listen to the full podcast episode.
Community Connection & Partnerships
Our team has been hard at work fostering new partnerships, participating in community events, and building new pathways for success. A few notable engagements include:
Sacramento Kings Visit: Three Sacramento King's players (Daeqwon Plowden, Drew Eubanks, and Maxime Raynaud), spent the afternoon with IYT Brothers at Natomas Middle School. The players were treated to the full IYT experience, sitting alongside members and participating in brotherhood exercises. Afterwards, they delivered a panel focused on mentorship and community, sharing heartfelt stories and answering questions from students.
Modesto Gardening Volunteer Day: In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., over 40 IYT Brothers and staff joined forces with the Stockton Service Corps for a powerful Day of Service! Our scholars got their hands dirty to uplift their community by building garden beds, assembling food boxes for local families, and participating in neighborhood clean-ups.
IYT & CSAC Join Forces: We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to help bridge the information gap surrounding financial aid and make higher education more accessible for our Brothers! This collaboration has already sparked impactful initiatives, including speaking engagements with our Director of College Access and live interviews with former IYT Mentors.
IYT Nevada Hosts its First Mixer: Executive Director Johnny Dominguez recently hosted our "Taps for Tomorrow" community mixer in Las Vegas, bringing together educators, leaders, and supporters. It was a fantastic evening connecting over tacos and drinks while sharing the exciting impact of IYT’s programs rolling out across Southern Nevada schools!
IYT Mississippi Executive Briefing: This month, IYT Mississippi is building incredible momentum with remarkable student achievements, including a record-breaking literacy milestone, and the launch of our innovative "Cuts for CUTS" barbering mentorship program! Read the full executive briefing to see how we're expanding our impact across the region and officially welcoming our new Mississippi Board of Advisors.
IYT in the Media & Leadership Highlights
We're so proud of Team IYT, and the forward momentum we're seeing day after day. Check out our roundup of exciting media mentions and leadership highlights from across our organization!
From the Brotherhood to a National Board of Young Leaders: We're excited to share that a member of the IYT Brotherhood, Landan Devenecia, was selected to serve on the Youth Trustee Board of America's Promise Alliance. His dedication continues to inspire us all.
How IYT Builds Academic Success: In a powerful episode of the Nonprofit Podcast, IYT CEO Michael Lynch and alumnus Alejandro Galicia Cervantes shared their personal stories, offering an intimate look at their "why."
Education Beat: A Mentorship Program Fights for Survival: EdSource reporter Lasherica Thornton profiled IYT's impact in the Stockton Unified School District, and the looming threat of federal budget cuts. Nicole Davidson, an IYT Program Manager was interviewed on the episode, discussing the importance of funding programs like IYT, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead given the current administration. Listen to the episode on the EdSource website.
Thank you to all of our partners, educators, and community members who continue to support the IYT Brotherhood. Stay tuned for more updates next month!
IYT Launches National Board of Advisors
We're excited to share our newly formed National Board of Advisors! These dedicated individuals are deeply committed to moving the needle forward for young men of color, and we rely on their guidance and support to ensure our continued success.
Featured Advisor
Alfredo Medina
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips
"Talent is equally distributed -- opportunity is not. IYT is changing that reality for young men of color, and I'm proud to stand with an organization that is opening doors, building leaders, and rewriting what is possible."