Expanding Opportunities to Thrive
A Message from Our President and CEO
2024 was another terrific year at Spark the Journey. Hundreds of young adults, together with their mentors, made great strides toward their college and career goals. As you read on, you’ll hear about their many accomplishments, from burgeoning leadership skills and expanded networks to college acceptances and internship highlights.
However, it’s important to recognize that our participants are transitioning into adulthood at a particularly precarious time. When the political atmosphere is contentious, the economy uncertain, and the landscapes of higher education and the workforce are evolving rapidly before our eyes, community becomes more vital than ever. Our community is what sustains us in the moment and drives us to work for a brighter tomorrow.
That is why I’m so proud to lead Spark the Journey, where community is one of our greatest assets. Our talented participants and dedicated mentors, alongside experienced staff, partners, and supporters, have created an environment where every young person is empowered to achieve economic mobility and truly thrive.
My deepest thanks to all of you, as ever, for your dedication to our young people. Your time, effort, and support are making an extraordinary impact in the Washington, DC region, and I cannot wait to see what we continue to accomplish together.
Khari Brown
Mentorship Expands Opportunities
Our Mission
Spark the Journey provides mentorship and a community of support for young adults to chart their own paths to achieving college and career success.
Our Method
Mentorship is a vital tool for navigating a rapidly changing world. Every young person is unique – that’s what makes our 1:1 mentorship model so powerful. Our mentors, together with our experienced staff and research-backed curriculum, equip mentees with the tools, skills, and networks necessary to navigate life’s transitions with confidence. Each mentor’s guidance is tailored to their mentee’s unique needs. Whether our young people are working toward a two-year degree, a four-year degree, technical certification, or direct career entry, they can be sure they have the resources they need to achieve economic mobility.
”I joined Spark because I really wanted to set myself up to excel in high school, but also to become more well-rounded and build up my confidence – because back then, I wasn’t super confident, so having someone who could hype me up and say, ‘Hey, you got this,’ and give me advice was what I really needed. So, what really attracted me to Spark was the opportunity to have a mentor. But more than just a mentor – a big brother. That’s really what Tony became for me. A big brother figure in my life.
Daniel NguyenSpark Alumnus
In Fiscal Year 2024, we served 670 young adults:
99
identify as people of color
100
are from low-income communities
73
are the first generation in their family to attend college
207
high school students
Ages 15-18
DC residents, largely from Wards 5, 7, and 8
Primarily pursuing two- and four-year degree programs351
post-secondary participants
Ages 18-24 DC residents attending post-secondary programs across the US Primarily enrolled in two- and four-year colleges and universities, though some students are enrolled in technical certification programs112
Year Up United participants
Ages 18-29
DC, MD, and VA residents
Participating in six-month internship placements facilitated by Year Up United, a national workforce development nonprofit, and preparing to enter the workforce in full-time positionsTried and True Mentorship Experience
Since Spark the Journey’s founding (then known as Capital Partners for Education) in 1993, we have grown from a small and committed mentoring service to the premier mentorship experts in the Washington, DC region.
Our longevity has enabled us to refine our mentorship model across decades and scale it to serve hundreds of mentees each year. Our methodology is rooted in the Elements of Effective Practices for Mentoring, the gold standard for developing quality youth mentoring programs. Our research-driven matching process ensures that participants are paired with caring mentors who are uniquely equipped to build lasting relationships with their mentees.
This recipe for success propelled Spark to exciting results in Fiscal Year 2024.
Fiscal Year 2024
Impact in Numbers
182
young adults recruited and enrolled into the Spark program
78
of high school students participated in post-secondary counseling with Spark
69
of mentees participated in career readiness activities
139,000
in Emergency Fund Requests fulfilled for 183 unique participants
100
of Year Up United mentees increased their confidence in at least two career skills
86
of high school students met or exceeded the GPA requirement for college eligibility
82
of mentees rated their mentoring relationship as meeting or exceeding expectations
76
of high school graduates enrolled in a post-secondary program within one year
84
of first-year college students persisted into their second year, compared to 57% of Black students and 64% of Latino students nationally
58
of college students have graduated within six years since the inception of our college program, three times the rate of similarly situated peers
Our Programs
Spark’s programming thrived in 2024, with more robust attendance and engagement than we’ve seen since the pandemic. Our young people are dedicating extraordinary amounts of time, effort, and enthusiasm to their journeys toward college and career, and we couldn’t be more excited to work with them.
High School Program
(Ages 15–18)
Spark high school students complete monthly curriculum activities with their mentor that support the development of soft skills and provide structure for post-secondary planning. Through mentorship, case management, emergency funds, and hybrid events that support college readiness and career exposure, participants receive robust support on their path to economic mobility.
Post-Secondary Program
(Ages 18–24)
Spark’s post-secondary students are pursuing bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, or a workforce credential. They have demonstrated the ability to grow their own personal networks and build relationships with new mentors in their academic and professional fields of choice. They still have access to Spark resources, case management, and emergency funds to support their college and career endeavors.
Year Up United Program
(Ages 18–29)
Spark provides mentorship, case management, emergency funds, and hybrid events for participants of one of our partner nonprofits, Year Up United. For the duration of a six-month internship in a high-growth industry, participants receive dedicated support in career readiness, workplace norms, networking, and more.
”I would like to thank Spark the Journey for introducing me to a lifelong friend, Ritchie. Meeting my mentor was incredible, and the valuable advice and wisdom he’s shared will stay with me always.
CharlesYear Up United Program Participant
During fiscal year 2024, Spark hosted:
53
in-person school visits with our high school students
12
SAT preparation classes
7
in-person pair activities for mentors and mentees
4
college tours
5
career exploration days
5
Student Leadership Council Meetings
2
mentor networking and happy hour events
3
community-building events
Communities Thrive When Our Young People Thrive
The leaders that will solve tomorrow’s problems are sitting in our classrooms today. At Spark, we believe that fostering leadership in our young people is just as important as equipping them to succeed in college and career. Mentors provide a safe space to ask questions, test ideas, and practice skills. For over 30 years, we’ve witnessed our participants grow into powerful changemakers whose leadership brings tangible benefits to our community. These are just a few of our past and present participants who are leading the way to a brighter future for all of us.
Kyheim, Spark High School Student
Kyheim is a student at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School and a Ward 8 resident. In April, he testified at the DC Council’s budget oversight hearing on the power of mentorship.
Read Kyheim’s Full Testimony”Through Spark, I can really say that I have stepped into my own. I have started to push myself to be better and to achieve the goals I have set for myself. I have gained great internships preparing me for my future, learned what truly sparks my interest both professionally and personally, and I have even been more motivated with the college application process, having now been accepted to more than 20 colleges and universities.
Nyoami, Spark High School Student
Nyoami is a student at Phelps ACE High School and a Ward 8 resident. She also submitted testimony to the DC Council on the power of mentorship.
Read Nyoami's Full Testimony”Architectural design has been a passion of mine for a long time and it’s a very important factor in the decisions I make for my future, like college and careers. My mentor, Ms. Beth, is one of the most supportive people in my life. She went to one of my debate tournaments at the British Embassy and she helps me with networking. Ms. Beth taught me how to communicate my thoughts, open myself up to different experiences, and celebrate the little things in life. She also connected me with several of her colleagues who have a background in the career I’m interested in. Through Ms. Beth, I gained more clarity on what I want to be in the future and learned about the experiences I might have as an architect or interior designer.
Myiah, Spark Alumna
Myiah participated in Spark the Journey from 2012-2020 and is currently an educator in Baltimore.
Read Myiah’s Full Speech”Inspired by Spark, I’ve pursued service work since graduating from Georgetown and earning my Master of Education from Johns Hopkins. I worked for Teach for America National, helping make teacher certification more accessible for corps members. Then I became an ELL teacher in Baltimore City Schools, so that I could serve students from environments like mine and connect them to resources that would help them thrive. After that, I went to Germany as an English teaching assistant on a Fulbright scholarship. In every position, I’ve brought the integrity, grit, courage, and resilience that Spark instilled in me.
Julius, Spark Alumnus
Julius participated in Spark the Journey from 2008-2016 and currently works in the Suites and Sponsorships department with the Washington Commanders.
Read Julius’ Full Speech”I was on the Student Leadership Council back in the day at Spark. That group helped me grow into a true leader and explore various ways to give back to my community. Fast forward to just a few short years ago, and giving back became even more important during the pandemic. It was during that time that my involvement with Spark came full circle and I returned to the organization as a mentor. My wife even became a mentor too. It was priceless to be able to connect with someone who was going through the same things that I once went through. My mentee has gone on to start his own business, and I know that he’ll continue to pay it forward, just like I have.
National Recognition
In March, Spark the Journey was awarded $2 million from Yield Giving, a fund established by MacKenzie Scott and administered by Lever for Change, an affiliate of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.This one-time, unrestricted gift is the largest in Spark’s history – and an enormous endorsement of the power of mentorship.
Of the 6,353 organizations that responded to the Yield Giving Open Call, 361 were awarded grants. As one of the top-ranked organizations in the awardee pool, Spark’s initial request of $1 million was doubled.
Spark staff have worked closely with our Board of Directors to create an asset allocation plan for the Yield Giving funds. While this one-time investment is substantial and will bolster our long-term sustainability, it does not replace the need for ongoing operational support. We value our enduring partnerships in the community, which provide the stable foundation necessary for us to maintain and expand our core programs and leverage the capacity improvements funded by the Yield Giving award effectively.
”I decided to get involved with Spark the Journey after attending an interest meeting at school. It seemed like a helpful program for students to connect with mentors with college experience. For me, it’s very important to build connections and learn as much as I can from my mentor. My mentor is helping me by supporting my efforts in school and giving me helpful tools and strategies that help me stay on target.
ParkerSpark High School Student
Financials
Expenses
Direct Program Support
$2,717,110
77%
Fundraising
$428,710
12%
Management & General
$380,680
11%
Revenue
Foundations
$1,706,904
41%
Individuals
$1,554,040
37%
Government
$660,066
16%
Corporations
$190,133
5%
Other
$100,230
2%
Update on Our Strategic Plan
Spark the Journey’s Fiscal Year 2022-2025 strategic plan was born from a simple yet urgent issue: the ZIP code you are born into in the United States has a dramatic correlation with your lifetime earnings and likelihood to earn a post-secondary credential. This dynamic is in full effect in Washington, DC, where according to the DC Policy Center, only 18% of those born and living in DC have earned a post-secondary credential compared to 70% of transplants. For Black and Latino degree holders, the rate of return on their investment in education is too often significantly lower than their white counterparts.
Outcomes
The strategic plan programmatic outcomes were carefully selected to reflect proven pathways to economic mobility, with the ultimate aim of closing education, income, and opportunity gaps in the DC region.
Within six years of graduating high school, Spark participants will achieve the following outcomes:
Earn a post-secondary degree
58
of Spark participants have earned a bachelor’s degree as compared to 18% of DC-born residents (DC Policy Center)
Employed in a career field that requires their credential or enrolled in further education
80
of Year Up United participants are employed or enrolled in post-secondary education within four months of program completion
Empowered to build their own professional network
87
of survey respondents report increased confidence in networking
Programmatic Goals
These goals were established in our strategic plan to support our ambitious outcomes.
Goal
Work with over 750 young people and actively support them on the path to economic mobility.
Progress
We’ve successfully served 1,035 students, already exceeding our goal.
Goal
Recruit over 1,000 mentors to support young adults on their path to attaining economic mobility.
Progress
We’ve successfully recruited 1,962 volunteer applicants, of whom 935 were accepted as mentors to support our participants. This selective process ensures we maintain high-quality mentorship for our students.
An Update from our Executive Director
It has been extremely gratifying to watch our FY22-FY25 strategic plan grow from the inkling of an idea to an extensive roadmap and ultimately a fully executed, well-oiled machine. I’m particularly proud of the manner in which we increased capacity and scaled our reach during a time of rapid change.
Spark has been around for over 30 years, in no small part, due to our ability to evolve with the times. Our participants have played a significant role in that evolution, continuously pointing us toward the types of skills, resources, and mentors they need to thrive. With one eye on the conclusion of this strategic plan and the other on the next one, I look forward to collaborating with them – as well as all of our dedicated partners – on how Spark can continue to provide best-in-class services in our community.
Brandon White
Get Involved
Your continued support makes a lasting difference in the lives of young Black and Brown adults in DC. As a member of the Spark community, you know the value of our work better than anyone. Consider expanding your impact by making a financial gift, connecting your employer as a partner, or becoming a mentor. Learn more by visiting our website at sparkthejourney.org/get-involved.
”I became a mentor because I firmly believe in the transformative power of mentorship. I have been fortunate to have had exceptional mentors who guided me through my educational journey. Regular Monday check-in calls with my mentee have been an excellent way for me to listen to him, help provide various schools of thought about goals and life achievement, and share my knowledge on creating a life purpose and drive. The highlight for me has been having my mentee come to me with questions about life, college, and current events and just engaging in conversation about the mundane activities of life.
Kibiriti MajutoSpark Mentor
Our Leadership
Senior Leadership Team
Khari Brown
President and CEO
Brandon White
Executive Director
Justine Quintana
Senior Director of Programs
Lydia Bailey
Senior Director of Talent and Operations
Rachel Sier
Director of Advancement
Board of Directors
Theodore A. Schwab
Co-Founder & Chairman Emeritus
Founding Partner & Managing Director, Steward Partners Global Advisory
The Honorable Mary K. Bush
Board Chair
President and Founder, Bush International, LLC
Carol Adelman, PH.D.
Director, The Hudson Institute Center for Global Prosperity
John A. Bates
Partner, Potomac Equity Partners
Cathy Bernasek
Independent Consultant, Nonprofit Sector
Gina Coburn
Founder, RallySkin.com
Gregory J. Fierce
Executive Vice President, Commercial Real Estate, Potomac Business Services LLC
J. Warren Gorrell, Jr.
CEO Emeritus and Partner, Hogan Lovells
Reginald Love
Senior Advisor, Apollo Global Management
Meena Nankani
Vice President, J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Brian Naumick
Managing Director & Vice President,
Edgemoor Infrastructure and Real Estate
Charles Rossotti
Senior Advisor, The Carlyle Group
Macani Toungara
Director, Social and Environmental Responsibility, Dell Technologies
Keosha Varela
Founder, Mission & Purpose Communications
General (Ret.) Dennis Via
Executive Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton
Ambassador Michael M. Wood
Chairman, Redwood Investments, LLC
Our Partners
Talent for Tomorrow Alliance
The Talent for Tomorrow (TFT) Alliance is a collaborative project of Washington, DC area nonprofit organizations working purposefully to close opportunity gaps in the workforce. The TFT was co-founded in 2020 by Spark the Journey, Genesys Works, New Futures, Per Scholas, and Year Up United. Learn more at talentfortomorrow.org.
School Partners
- Bard High School Early College DC
- Benjamin Banneker Academic High School
- Capital City Public Charter School
- Cesar Chavez Parkside High School
- Columbia Heights Education Campus
- McKinley Technology High School
- Phelps Architecture, Construction, and Engineering High School
Our Donors
Institutional Donors
- Capital One
- Ceres Foundation
- DC Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes
- DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education
- Sunrise Foundation
- Yield Giving Open Call
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- Clark Construction Group, LLC
- Harman Family Foundation
- Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
- Richard E. & Nancy P. Marriott Foundation
- S&R Evermay Foundation
- Volgenau Foundation
- 2 Anonymous Donors
- Association of American Medical Colleges
- Bloomberg Industry Group
- CliftonLarsonAllen Foundation
- Crimsonbridge Foundation
- Little Ford Foundation
- Minds Incorporated
- Nancy C. Tierney Fund for Girls and Women’s Empowerment
- Share Fund
- Evergreen II Fund
- Gartner
- Hilton Hotels Corporation
- Venable Foundation
- Business Women’s Giving Circle
- Fannie Mae
- Laird Youth Leadership Foundation
- Ruth H. Kemp Memorial Foundation
- Credence Management Solutions
- Microsoft
- The Sack Law Firm P.C.
- Anonymous Donor
- AT&T
- Berkshire Hathaway Energy
Our Donors
Thank You, Spark Sustainers
Spark Sustainers are champions of Spark the Journey whose annual gifts total $5,000 or more in a fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). We extend our deepest gratitude to these committed supporters, whose generosity enables us to work with the talented young people of Washington, DC for many years to come.
- Michael and Kathryn Hanley
- Charles and Barbara Rossotti
- Michael and Judith Wood
- Anonymous Donor
- Cathy and Brian Bernasek
- Peter and Teresa Clare
- Gina and Brooke Coburn
- Warren and Catherine Gorrell
- The Mary K. Bush Charitable Trust
- David and Barbara Lipman
- Pitcairn Donor-Advised Fund
- Spector Fund at the Boston Foundation
- Meredith and Martin Sumner
- Governor Glenn and Suzanne Youngkin
- Dr. Carol and Ken Adelman
- Alan Dabbiere
- Cynthia A. and Leonard M. Glassman Fund
- Renee DeVigne and Maurice White
- Philip Dolan
- Elliott Ferguson and Telesa Via
- James and Tracy Millar
- Donna Morea and Jeff Chandler
- Theodore Schwab
- Paul and Chandler Tagliabue
- General (Ret.) Dennis and Linda Via
- 4 Anonymous Donors
Our Donors
Individual Donors
- John and Karen Bates
- John Barker and Anne Witkowsky
- Margot Machol Bisnow and Mark Bisnow
- Katie Bond
- Marvin Bush and Margaret Conway Molster
- Maureen Chelius
- David Dempsey and Sarah Albertson
- Prentiss and Gail Feagles
- Marilyn and Michael Glosserman Fund
- Patrick and Sheila Gross
- Ann Marie Guzzi
- Praveen and Kaili Jeyarajah
- Daniel Kaplan and Kay Richman
- David and Jan Kaufman Donor-Advised Fund
- Robert Kogod
- Simeon Kriesberg and Martha Kahn
- Tanya and Hudson La Force
- Reggie Love
- Danielle McCoy
- Guy Molinari
- Elise and Steven Museles Charitable Fund
- Laurence Platt and Clare Herington
- James Tierney
- Tracey Twyman
- Vangela Wade
- Ashley Ajayi
- Matthew Bando
- Dr. Alice Domar
- Carnot Evans
- Nicholas Karzon
- Ned and Betsy Mandel
- Jan and Gary McDavid
- Georgianna McGuire
- D. A. Miller
- William Rogers
- Mary Beth Schultz
- Ashby Sorensen
- Emma Stewart
- Dennis Tracey III and Marcia Hamelin
- Megan West
- 8 Anonymous Donors
- Eddie Baker
- Sarah Berg
- Buwa Binitie
- Brett Blair
- Sarah Boegner
- Khari Brown and Yasemin Washington Brown
- Dorry and Julian Brown
- Steven Bullock
- Mary Ellen Callahan
- Jenny Castillo
- Disha Chauhan
- Steve Cohen
- James Cole Jr.
- Cynda Collins Arsenault
- Cedric Davis
- Vi Diep
- Karen Dresden
- Sarah Dudley
- Christopher Dwyer
- Janis Evans
- Matthew Everitt
- Vicki Fleming
- Neil Fridman, Esq.
- Antoine and Carol Garibaldi
- Jeremy Garlington
- Steve Gripkey
- Vishal Gurbuxani
- Haleakala
- Benjamin Hatten
- Franklin Huffman
- Shi-Hsia Hwa
- William Janes
- Bradley Jensema
- Kenneth Kaplan
- Daniel Kirchmaier
- Kathren Korsky
- Esther Kuria
- Alan Lau
- Abby Lehman
- Blair Lockamy
- Angie Lotfi
- Crystal Love-Flora
- Daniel Manalo
- Charlie Martin
- Kathleen and Kevin McMahon
- Tristan Nadal
- Melissa Neubart
- Shannon Oesch
- Afam Onyema
- Holly Parker
- Adam Patrick Hellegers
- Rashida Petersen
- Chris and Monica Petty
- Douglas Powell Ward
- Marcus Ransom
- Aaron Rogozinski
- Eric Rubio
- Adrian Salamunovic
- Nanci Sessoms
- Erica Sietsma
- Daniel Stein
- Alisa Stewart
- Evelyn Stone
- Susan and Charles Strittmatter
- Michael Sullivan
- Monica Syed
- Claudia Taubman
- Renata Thome
- Megan Thompson
- Isha Tohill
- Catherine Traini
- Curtis Turnell
- Danielle Tyler
- Robert Van der Waag
- Hung Vo
- Candice Wright
- Peng-Hua Wu
- 20 Anonymous Donors
