Meet Our National Board of Advisors
- Kevin Akins
- Nov 20
- 4 min read
Updated: 17 hours ago
We're thrilled to announce our new IYT National Board of Advisors! These dedicated individuals are deeply committed to moving the needle forward for young men of color, and we're honored to have their support.
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."
Bel Reyes
Executive Director, Innovation Bridge
"As a member of IYT's National Board of Advisors, I am committed to supporting the transformation of hearts, minds, and systems, ensuring that our young men have opportunities that will design pathways for other young brothers to reach their fullest potential and improve life outcomes for generations. In the spirit of IYT's CEO, who once said, "We may have helped you, but you will help thousands," as a mother of young Chicano, I am interested in unapologetically serving an organization focused on our young men of color scholars that will help the generations beyond me."
Felipe De Jesus Hernandez
Associate with Munger, Tolles, and Olsen
"I have supported IYT since around 2014 and have been honored to serve as its grants manager and program specialist from 2015-2020 (Sacramento). Given our current political and economic climate, I think that the continued focus on empowering young men of color to be leaders in their communities, fields, professions, and families is paramount to our nation's success."
Gary S. May
Chancellor, UC Davis
"As an engineer and higher education leader, I’ve spent my career working to empower students to be agents of their own success and to shape their own destinies. I can’t think of many things more rewarding than inspiring and supporting young people in their efforts to create their own extraordinary impact on society, do some good in the world and become role models and mentors to the next generation."
Jonathan Kaufman
Co-Founder & Principal, Third Plateau
"Since being introduced to IYT ~10 years ago, I've been a fan and supporter. The mission is clear and critical, the approach is innovative and effective, and the leaders are people I fully trust and admire deeply. Investing in IYT is investing in opportunity and possibility, and if that's not worth our time and energy, I'm not sure what is."
Melanie Dixon
President, College of Alameda, Peralta Community College District
"Increasing access to higher education for disproportionately impacted populations is my life's work. Black Men and Women are centered for personal and professional reasons. As a black woman it's a personal passion to utilize education as a mechanism to lift my community out of poverty and shift the narrative about the value of our community as significant contributors, civically and politically engaged citizens and developers of economic growth. As an educator, assertively addressing the disparities in educational outcomes and career opportunities for communities of color is my commitment and obligation."
Michael Tubbs
CEO, End Poverty in California
"My mother had me as a teenager and my dad has been incarcerated my entire life. So I know what it's like to grow up with a lack of opportunity. But I also know first-hand the power of investing in youth, which helped me elevate from South Stockton to Stanford and finally to the Mayor's office."
Samantha Seng
Legislative Director & Policy Advisor, NextGen Policy
"I believe that all students should have the opportunities and support they need to reach their full potential. I've seen repeatedly that the IYT model works, and it has been an honor to support this organization from its inception. The shared vision and drive of IYT's founders is inspirational, and I'm humbled to play a small part in this work to improve the lives of young men of color. I am dedicating my career to ending my own personal story of struggle through the public education system as a first generation, multi-racial, LGBTQ+ student, for all future students."
Sam Lauderdale
Level II Sales Consultant, Enterprise Mobility
"I aim to be a resource to all those around me, especially the young men in our community. Even if I can impact and influence them just a little, I see that as a win, as the seed has been planted for positive growth in the future."
Saul Valdez
Senior Program Officer, ECMC Foundation
"I deeply trust and believe in IYT’s mission. At a time of meaningful change in education, IYT is uniquely positioned to shape solutions and deliver lasting impact."
Silvan Menendez
Retired
"I would have been one of the young men IYT supports today. My family immigrated to the US from the Dominican Republic when I was around six years old. While my parents did their best, they lacked the knowledge to navigate the US educational system. Consequently, I was held back in first grade due to my limited English proficiency and was placed in an English as a Second Language program. This led to me to be placed in the lowest-level classes until middle school. Fortunately, a teacher at the time recognized my potential and retested me, allowing me to move to the most advanced classes. This pivotal moment in my life changed my trajectory. Ultimately, influences outside my home made attending college a norm and expectation for me. Through my hard work and the support of others during crucial moments, I’ve achieved a privileged life. I want to give others the same help, guidance, and inspiration that I received at critical turning points in my life."
Taylor Boggs
Retired
"I’m here because mentors once reached into my life at critical moments and changed its trajectory. Now it’s my turn. Supporting at risk youth isn’t just a service to me, it’s a calling. Helping them see their potential, rewrite their story, and build a future they can be proud of is one of the most meaningful things I can do."