IYT Wisconsin Executive Briefing: March 2026
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Executive Summary
March was a landmark month for Improve Your Tomorrow in Wisconsin. From securing high-level support at the state and national levels to expanding our footprint and driving academic excellence across our Madison campuses, we are building a formidable foundation for our Brothers.
Key Highlights this Month:
National & State Advocacy:Â IYT leadership traveled to Washington D.C. to advocate for our Brothers with U.S. Senators and pitch our Guarantee Admit Program. Back home, Governor Tony Evers hosted IYT at the Governor's Mansion for Black History Month, expressing his 100% support for our mission.
Strategic Expansion:Â We officially launched our program in the Verona Area School District, with 19 young Brothers signing up immediately after a powerful recruitment session.
Academic Accountability:Â Through the implementation of bi-weekly trackers and targeted test prep sessions, students at Capital High and La Follette are taking greater ownership of their academic success and driving measurable improvements in their grades.
Building Brotherhood:Â From a buzzer-beating faculty win at a local student-teacher basketball game to deep, vulnerable workshops at Verona High, our Brothers and staff are forging the trust and community needed to thrive.
State & National Advocacy
IYT at the Governor's Mansion
In honor of Black History Month, Governor Tony Evers invited Korbey to the Governor’s Mansion to celebrate Black Excellence and impactful community contributions. As a former superintendent, Governor Evers expressed his complete, 100% support for IYT and the immediate, critical need for our program in Wisconsin.
Advocacy in the Nation's Capital
Korbey traveled to Washington D.C. for the Association of Community Colleges conference. While pitching IYT’s Guarantee Admit Program to nationwide colleges (a program currently being finalized with Madison College in WI), Korbey also met with U.S. Senators to discuss the profound impact IYT is making for Black and Brown students in Wisconsin.
Strategic Expansion
Verona Recruitment Ceremony
On February 3rd, IYT officially launched recruitment for the Verona Area School District! Associate Program Director Aaron Broadwater and Korbey introduced the program to a packed room, asking tough questions and listening to emotional, thought-provoking responses about the opportunity gaps these students face. By the end of the session, 19 young Brothers signed up immediately to participate in IYT.
Partner & Community
The Student-Faculty Basketball Game
IYT had the opportunity to participate in a highly anticipated, electric campus basketball game. Associate Program Director Aaron Broadwater played for the staff team, building incredible rapport with local teachers, while a handful of IYT Brothers played for the opposing student team. After a massive 8-0 student run threatened the staff's three-year winning streak, Broadwater hit a game-winning buzzer-beater to extend the faculty streak to four years!
Madison Metropolitan Campus Updates
Building the Foundation: Workshops at Verona High School
At our new Verona High School site, we are intentionally building what it means to be an IYT Brother. During an interactive "Blind Maze" activity, Brothers had to use active listening and patience to guide blindfolded peers through a taped path. The engagement was so high we had to extend the activity!
Following the maze, Brothers participated in a "You Got Me If..." Support Circle, openly defining what accountability, trust, and Brotherhood look like to them. By identifying that they need peers who will check in and tell the truth when they are slipping, Verona is off to an incredibly strong start.
Capital High School & La Follette
At Capital High and La Follette, we are seeing a powerful shift in academic accountability:
Bi-Weekly Trackers:Â A new grade and missing work tracker has led to significantly more work being completed during IYT study halls.
Test Prep Sessions:Â By bringing in core teachers to help students prepare for summative assessments, focus and effort have skyrocketed.
Extra Study Halls:Â IYT added additional study hall sessions to maximize available resources, resulting in a stronger work ethic and greater student ownership.
Brother of the Month
Brother Brandon
10th Grade
Brother Brandon continues to be a powerful presence within IYT! From day one, he has shown up as an interactive, open, and engaged young leader. When conversations get deep, he is often the first to step forward and share his perspective, creating a safe space for others to be vulnerable.
Academically, February marked a strong turning point for Brandon. Through extreme focus during IYT study halls, he has caught up on missing assignments and improved his grades. Instead of getting stuck in frustration when he wasn't performing at his best, he used it as fuel to raise his own standard. His growth is a perfect testament to what happens when a student chooses accountability and commits to improvement. We are incredibly proud of Brother Brandon!
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!
MWH Law Group
Leadership Update: Wisconsin Board of Advisors
We're thrilled to announce our new Board of Advisors for IYT Wisconsin! These dedicated individuals are deeply committed to moving the needle forward for young men of color.
Featured Advisor
Joe Gothard
Superintendent, MMSD
"IYT is more than a program; it is the essential pathway for guiding our young men from our classrooms to college, career, and the community. Their success is a measure of our collective commitment to a more equitable future."