Braven’s Founder and CEO Selected for Obama Foundation Fellowship

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Press Contacts:
Braven: natalie.laukitis@ksbrave.com
Obama Foundation: Fellows.Press@obama.org

Braven’s Founder and CEO Selected for Obama Foundation Fellowship

Aimée Eubanks Davis among diverse set of 20 civic innovators from around the world to scale impact of community-driven work

CHICAGO, IL — Today Braven’s Founder & CEO Aimée Eubanks Davis was selected by the Obama Foundation to join the second ever Fellows class. Selected among a global pool of applicants, Aimée Eubanks Davis will join a two-year, non-residential program that brings together 20 leaders representing 10 countries and five continents who are creating transformational change on many of the world’s most pressing problems. The Obama Foundation selected Aimée to continue Braven’s work on empowering promising, underrepresented college students with the skills, confidence, experiences, and networks necessary to transition from college to strong first jobs.

“I am honored to be a part of the 2019 Obama Foundation Fellows class and join a diverse class of community-minded civic innovators,” Aimée said. “With the Obama Foundation, Braven will be able to continue and strengthen our work to ensure low-income, first-generation and college student of color across the nation can land strong first jobs.”

From re-investing in homegrown agriculture in rural areas to strengthening black and native communities’ role in combating the effects of climate change, these civic innovators will work with the Obama Foundation on ways to scale their work and inspire others to engage in their communities. The Fellowship offers hands-on training, leadership development, and a powerful platform for Fellows to amplify the impact of their work and inspire a wave of civic innovation. These rising leaders join the current class of 20 Obama Fellows selected in 2018.

“The 2019 Obama Foundation Fellows are tackling big, complex issues in unique and inspiring ways but all share the common practice of making positive change in their communities,” said David Simas, CEO of the Obama Foundation. “After welcoming a historic inaugural Fellows class last year, we are excited to bring together a new group of civic innovators and amplify their work. These leaders are taking off, and I look forward to working with this remarkable group and watching them transform the world for the better.”

Over the course of the two-year program, Obama Foundation Fellows will participate in four multi-day gatherings to develop key skills, connect with thought leaders and potential partners, and collaborate with one another. The first Fellows gathering will be in Washington, D.C., in May and will also include the members of the 2018 inaugural Fellows cohort.

Each Fellow will develop and pursue with the Foundation a personalized plan to leverage the Fellowship and Obama Foundation resources to take their work to the next level. As Fellows put their plans into action, the Obama Foundation will assist with access to mentors, coaches, and additional resources and opportunities. These offerings have helped the first Fellows class build their organizational capacity, overcome leadership challenges, and work with new partners to deepen their impact.

The work of the 2019 Fellows will support the Obama Foundation’s broader mission to inspire, empower, and connect the next generation of civic leaders. Geographic location, community engagement, commitment to the Obama Foundation’s values, and proven impact all factored into the selection process.

To learn more about the Obama Foundation Fellowship and the 2019 Fellows, please visit www.obama.org/fellowship. A list of 2019 Obama Foundation Fellows can be found below.

  • Bella Alexandrov
  • Dedo Baranshamaje
  • Colette Pichon Battle
  • Derrick Braziel
  • Ciara Byrne
  • Johnny Chatterton
  • Tarun Cherukuri
  • Charles Daniels
  • Shari Davis
  • Aimée Eubanks Davis
  • Mario Fedelin
  • Seema Gajwani
  • Brent Hutchinson
  • Joseph Kunkel
  • John Leong
  • Esther Mwaniki
  • Hue Thu Nguyen
  • Alessandra Orofino
  • Tania Rosas
  • Ayman Sabae

 

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About Braven

Founded in 2013, Braven empowers promising, underrepresented young people—first-generation college students, students from low-income backgrounds, and students of color—with the skills, confidence, experiences, and networks necessary to transition from college to strong first jobs. Braven is embedded within large public universities and partners with employers to build cutting-edge career education into the undergraduate experience for low-income and first-generation college goers and provides students, who often feel disconnected from campus, with a network of supporters and sense of belonging. Braven Fellows are persisting in college and achieving exciting levels of internship and job attainment.