Contributions from Fund-A-Scholar support middle school, high school, and college students on their academic and professional journeys
The evening of November 7 sparkled with excitement as supporters gathered at The Stave Room to celebrate Breakthrough Atlanta’s scholars and Teaching Fellows. Together, more than 300 friends, advocates, supporters, and sponsors raised $400,000 for Breakthrough’s life-changing programming! The funds will support more than 130 student scholarships in the next academic year.
Our Fund-A-Scholar Host Committee, led by chairs, Martha Bosworth, Jaclyn Cannon and Courtney Kirk, truly put in the hard work and effort to make this event such a success. We are thankful for all they do in order to serve our students and future educators.
During the opening cocktail hour, guests mingled and perused silent and live auction items while live music permeated the air. Numerous Breakthrough Atlanta scholars – both current and alumni – attended, which made the evening even more special. After a spirited cocktail hour, guests were seated for dinner, during which time they continued to purchase raffle tickets and bid on silent auction items online.
Following dinner and the close of the raffle, the program commenced with remarks from Monique Shields, Breakthrough Atlanta CEO. Monique spoke to the power of Breakthrough’s programming for middle and high schoolers as well as college students:
Our students are standing at the starting line of a journey that is not easy to start nor easy to finish. However, the results of Breakthrough Atlanta’s efforts for our scholars outpace statewide outcomes. Only 28% of Georgia high school graduates who started college in 2018 earned a degree by 2023. Compare that to 63% of Breakthrough graduates during the same time period. That’s more than double the rate of all Georgia students.
In 2024, public schools in Atlanta, Fulton, Dekalb, Gwinnett and Clayton counties began the school year with nearly 600 vacant teaching positions. Our one-of-a-kind teaching fellowship inspires three quarters of all participants to pursue careers in education, with 100% of all fellows saying they would recommend us to a friend interested in careers in education.
Monique brought the keynote speaker to the stage – Nia Assata Muhammad, a Breakthrough Atlanta student alum, a 2022 recipient of The Breakthrough Atlanta Scholarship for Academic Excellence, and a 2023 teaching fellow alum – who shared:
My experience with Breakthrough has provided me with the groundwork necessary to develop into the scholar I am today, enabling me to serve, inspire, create, and utilize my purpose to help others.
For Nia, Breakthrough Atlanta evolved into a second family. Today, she is pursuing a Bachelor’s in sociology and a Minor in Afro American Studies at Howard University.
Next, Jourdan Duncan took the stage. Jourdan – a Breakthrough student alum and a recipient of Breakthrough’s Scholarship for Academic Excellence – said:
Breakthrough has meant so much to me: it’s a place where I made lifelong friends; where I learned to focus and take control of my future; and where teachers helped me discover the importance of taking my academics seriously, showing up every day, and doing my best. The relationships and lessons that I have learned along the way will stick with me forever. I am super grateful to have experienced Breakthrough Atlanta.
Duncan is a junior working toward his Bachelor’s in Journalism and Mass Communications at North Carolina A&T State University. Jourdan, who has his eye on a future in sports broadcasting, put his communications skills to work to assist with the live auction.
During the animated live auction, guests bid for trips, catered dinners, and wine tastings, and tickets were pulled for the raffle winners. Thanks to everyone’s participation and generosity, our 2024 Fund-A-Scholar event was a resounding success! It is with the generosity of our sponsors, patrons, and partners that we are able to provide year-round, life-changing programs and services free of charge to students facing educational disparities.
We extend a special thank you to our corporate sponsors:
Presenting Sponsors: Chick-Fil-A and Delta
Media Sponsor: Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles
Summa Cum Laude: SouthState Bank
Magna Sum Laude: PNC Foundation
Cum Laude: J.P. Morgan Chase, Cousins, Georgia Power, Piper Sandler, Synovus
Honor Roll: Jessica Bradley Interiors, City of Hope, Deloitte, Troutman Pepper
Throughout the year, Breakthrough Atlanta works throughout the education ecosystem in metro Atlanta. Our alliance with the Lovett School serves as a strong foundation upon which we have built partnerships with metro area public school systems, local colleges, and universities.
Breakthrough Atlanta fulfills a dual mission to increase academic opportunity for highly motivated, underserved students and get them into college ready to succeed; and inspire and develop the next generation of teachers and educational leaders.
In its nearly 30-year history, Breakthrough Atlanta has fostered positive academic and personal transformations for more than 3,100 7th – 12th graders and 650 college students.
Please explore our website for more information about Breakthrough Atlanta or to support our mission.
* All photos taken by Kim Evans.