by JPMorgan Chase’ Christina Dello Bueno
Vice President, Communications
Northern California | JPMorgan Chase & Co.
While there’s no secret recipe for professional and financial success, we know that access to a broad set of learning and skills development experiences, networks and strong mentors are a defining experience for many. Unfortunately, these assets and critical ingredients to success are not equally available to everyone, as 1 in 3 young people will grow up without a mentor and many lack access to quality education and employment experiences.
But these inequities won’t solve themselves – they require intentional and deliberate action from leaders who not only have the power to help open the door but can hand over the keys for long-term success as well.
That’s why JPMorgan Chase created The Fellowship Initiative (TFI), a three-year program to provide Latino and Black young men with the education, skills and resources that contribute to greater economic mobility. This past February, TFI expanded to Oakland, extending intensive academic support, college and career readiness, and mentoring to local young men of color to help expand economic opportunity.
Through this initiative, 40 high school students (Fellows) in Oakland were paired with a mentor at JPMorgan Chase. Mentors will help the Fellows successfully complete high school by engaging them in academic and project-based learning activities, college and career planning and leadership development opportunities, all with the goal of preparing them for postsecondary pathways.
JPMorgan Chase is also collaborating with Kingmakers of Oakland, an independent non-profit that supports school districts across the country, to help young men of color succeed.
TFI offers professional and personal opportunities for young men to hone leadership and networking skills. Fellows like Kenneth Richardson from Skyline High School and An Lin from Oakland Charter High School are looking forward to gaining a sense of community through TFI and getting guidance for both their personal and professional growth.
“I would like guidance in many aspects of my life, such as being involved in community service, developing healthy relationships and navigating the college application process and lifestyle,” says Richardson. “The ultimate goal is to expand my network to further my growth and development in the professional spectrum,” adds Lin.
To date, more than 350 JPMorgan Chase employees have worked with TFI Fellows as mentors, coaches, speakers or volunteers. This year, the program serves youth in seven cities, including Oakland, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and New York with more to come, and has driven 100 percent admission to college among graduating Fellows.
“Many of these young men are the first in their families to access quality post-secondary opportunities, like college,” said Rudy Lozano, Head of The Fellowship Initiative, JPMorgan Chase. “Through TFI, we’re able to break down the barriers that too often limit economic mobility and invest in the growth of the next generation of leaders.”
During their time in TFI, students receive academic training and project-based learning, as well as one-on-one mentoring with JPMorgan Chase employees. Other focal areas of the program include mental health support, college readiness and planning support, professional and leadership development, and career awareness activities.
“We’re thrilled to have expanded here in the East Bay,” said David Diggs, Co-Executive Sponsor of the Bay Area TFI. “We’ve seen a lot of local interest in getting involved in TFI and by working with Kingmakers of Oakland, we’re optimistic about the impact this program will have on local young men of color.”
Through 2030, TFI will triple the number of young people it serves to more than 1,000 across several U.S. cities, building on Chase’s commitment to prepare youth for the future of work.
For more information about the program and how you can get involved, visit your local Chase bank or the TFI home page on jpmorganchase.com
