A new talent strategy for NYC

Given the diversity and magnitude of New York City’s young untapped talent, its role as a global leader of industry and commerce, and the tremendous energy rallying to close the education-to-employment gap, Braven anticipates launching in partnership with the City University of New York at Lehman College in January 2020.

Big Opportunity in the Big Apple

In New York City only 1 in 4 local students from underrepresented backgrounds enrolled in a 4 year college graduate with a strong job. It’s imperative for our city’s success that students from humble beginnings leave college with a strong first job and a path to economic choice and mobility. Braven is proving that the American Dream is possible within semesters, showing that our rising talent can and must hail from all communities, including some of our lowest-income ones.

An Innovative University Partnership

CUNY is the nation’s largest public higher education system and often recognized for its student diversity and commitment to socio-economic mobility. Specifically, Lehman College was ranked 4th in the Top 10 colleges nationwide with the highest mobility rate by The National Bureau of Economic Research. Over half of the CUNY undergrads receive Pell Grants, 41% are first-generation, and over half are students of color.

With a shared focus on student success, opportunity, and innovation, Lehman College will be Braven’s founding university partner in January 2020. Together Braven and Lehman College are committed to empowering students from humble beginnings on the path to the American Dream.

Employers Fueling a New Generation of Local Leaders

New York City is a global center of innovation and industry. It is home to the highest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the United States, many of which are looking for ways to recruit diverse untapped talent, build their employees’ leadership skills, and positively impact their community.

Braven offers these local companies opportunities to do all three seamlessly, enriching both the company and the NYC community. To learn more about our various partnership opportunities click here.

Braven is proud to be joining partners across New York City to build a vibrant, homegrown, and diverse workforce to power the local economy on a global scale.

NYC Supporters

We are incredibly thankful for the generosity of our NYC supporters, who are launching Braven in our region. For a complete list of national Braven supporters, please go to our national supporters page.

$150,000 – $249,999

 

$100,000 – $149,000

Rick Braddock

Ruth Stanton Foundation

$50,000 – $99,999

 
 

$20,000 – $49,999

 
 

$5,000 – $19,999

Trimble Foundation

 
 
 

$1-$4,900

Our NYC Team

Headshot of employee Danielle Hayman

Danielle Hayman

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Headshot of employee Danielle Hayman

Danielle Hayman

Danielle oversees Braven program implementation at Lehman College. Danielle ensures the successful execution of the Accelerator course, recruits and trains volunteers, and builds and supports partnerships with the university, employer partners, and other stakeholders.

LinkedIn

Nia Blessitt

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Nia Blessitt

Nia oversees all student recruitment at Lehman College as well as managing Post-Accelerator Fellow workforce strategies.
LinkedIn

Sheila Lopez

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Sheila Lopez

Sheila works with NYC Regional Team to help build and shape employer, university, and philanthropic partnerships in the NYC area.

Tiffany Traille

Tiffany Traille

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Tiffany Traille

Tiffany Traille

Tiffany oversees the overall student experience of Braven at Lehman College. She runs operations and logistics for Learning Labs and Braven events, as well as overseeing the Post-Accelerator experience. 

LinkedIn

 

Contact the NYC Team

Braven
c/o Teach For America
25 Broadway, 12 Fl.
New York, NY 10004

 

Braven Accelerator: Spring 2020

Lehman College

Eligibility

Sophomores, juniors, and first-year transfer students are preferred, but the course is open to all full-time undergraduate students in all majors who are:

  • In good academic standing and able to register for a 3-credit elective course during the semester
  • Able to meet once a week on Tuesdays or Thursday from 6pm-8pm during the semester
  • Able to commit an average of 4-5 hours a week to this course
  • Able to attend our signature ‘Storytelling as Leadership’ event on Saturday, February 8 from 9:30am – 4pm

Course Description

This course prepares students for the increasingly competitive, globalized job marketplace. Through online and peer learning, interactive experiences, and reflection, students will build meaningful networks, discover their innate leadership, and cultivate the “hard” and “soft” skills and habits of mind needed to thrive in twenty-first-century workplaces. This course will require your commitment. Nothing good comes easy, but this course will be equally rewarding as it is challenging.

Course Section

The Braven Accelerator is a 3-credit elective course that meets Tuesday or Thursday evenings from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. The course is listed as Cooperative Education:

  • CED 100

Additional Events

In addition to the weekly Tuesday or Thursday class, the following activities are a part of the Accelerator:

  • Saturday, February 8, 2020, 9:30am – 4pm: Storytelling As Leadership Workshop

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

  • Exercise habits to persist through and thrive beyond college
  • Know and demonstrate the skills and mindsets employers hire for
  • Navigate the workplace
  • Build a record of achievement and apply skills to land a career-accelerating internship or research opportunity
  • Expand personal and professional networks
  • Lead with their assets and values

Location

The course takes place on the Lehman campus. The final room location will be on your schedule and sent via email before the course begins.

Enroll Now

Volunteer in New York

We are looking for professionals from all fields who are willing to share their career experience, personal stories, and unique talents with motivated Fellows.

Leadership Coaches: If you’re interested in becoming a Leadership Coach, please visit our leadership coach page. Required dates for Spring 2020 Leadership Coaches:

  • Saturday, January 11: Leadership Coach Training & Onboarding
  • Tuesdays or Thursdays from January 28 through May 14: Tuesday or Thursday evenings (6-8 pm) for the length of the semester
  • Saturday, February 8: Storytelling As Leadership Workshop

Mock Interviewers:  Braven Mock Interview Night is March 17 and 19, 2020. Volunteers will conduct three to five mock interviews in-person at Lehman College between 5-8pm . Braven will provide sample questions and guidance on how to offer feedback to interviewees. Sign up by March 1st.

Braven Network: Sign up to join the Braven Network, and you will be the first to know about upcoming one-time and recurring volunteer opportunities by email. When you register, you will also have the chance to indicate if you are interested in connecting with some of our Braven Fellows who are eager to learn more about your industry and career path.

Contact Danielle@bebraven.org with questions or for more information.