Diana Acosta grew up in Washington, DC and in Hyattsville, MD. In 2006, Diana joined CPE because she saw it as an opportunity to grow not only academically but also personally within her community. She especially appreciated the care with which the staff matched her with a mentor. What’s one memorable moment you have of you and your mentor? A memorable moment I had with my mentor was when I had a writing assignment due my senior spring year and stayed up all weekend working on it. It … [Read more...]
CPE Employee Spotlight with Jonathan Tucker
Jonathan Tucker is the Grants Manager on CPE’s Development Team, managing, writing, winning, and reporting on grants from foundations to ensure CPE’s programs are well funded and sustainable. He helps CPE communicate the crucial importance and deep impact of our successful mentoring program to institutional funders, and works to bring more foundations into the family of CPE’s funding partners. What college did you attend? First 2 years out of high school I went to Boston … [Read more...]
A Demonstration of Excellence, Integrity, and Service
Each year, CPE high school seniors have an opportunity to apply for the Henry D. Owen scholarship. This scholarship was named by CPE in honor of Henry D. Owen, a creative, compassionate, talented and diligent public servant who played a pivotal role in creating Capital Partners for Education. Mr. Owen was a distinguished diplomat and leader who served his country. The Henry D. Owen Scholarship was established in 2012 and is designed to assist a CPE senior who demonstrates a dedication to the … [Read more...]
The Power of Relationships: Reflections on CPE’s 25th Anniversary
On April 11th, CPE marked its 25th anniversary with more than 300 guests who saw firsthand how the Power of Relationships can promote life-changing academic success for low-income youth. I have been leading CPE for 18 of those years, so the event and the milestone it marks have been especially significant for me personally. While I am normally a person who focuses on the opportunities that lie ahead, the past several weeks have been a rare time of reflection for me, highlighted by great pride in … [Read more...]
CPE Employee Spotlight with Imane Zirari
Imane Zirari is a Program Coordinator at CPE where she helps manage a caseload of student-mentor pairs for CPE’s high school program. She serves as a resource and support system for CPE’s high school students and their mentors to help ensure our students are developing a meaningful relationship with their mentor and cultivating the skills they need to get to and through college. Learn more about Imane in the interview below: Q. What college did you attend? A. I attended James Madison … [Read more...]
CPE Alumni Spotlight with Julius Johnson
Julius Johnson became a CPE student in 2008. He grew up in Oxon Hill, Maryland, and selected CPE because it afforded him the opportunity to have someone outside of his family help guide him throughout his pursuit to college. Now an alumnus of the program, Julius has taken on the role of a CPE mentor to support a young man who was once in his shoes. Julius believes relationships are universal and needed to navigate through life. Learn more about Julius in the interview below: Q. What’s one … [Read more...]
Who Deserves to Attend Top Colleges?
News of the college admissions cheating scandal sparked an important discussion about the responsibility top colleges and universities have to promote equity in their admissions policies. It also resurfaced some old wounds that I realized have had a big influence on my life and career. Many of my high school classmates applied to the college that I attended, Tufts University, but I was one of the few who was accepted. I remember being told by several of them that I didn’t deserve my admission … [Read more...]
Why Mentoring African American Youth is Important
One of my most influential mentors, Tufts University History Professor Gerald Gill, always reminded his students that Black History Month should not only be an occasion to celebrate the most prominent leaders in the struggle for equality — we must also highlight a more complete account of the African-American experience that too often gets overlooked. Gill wanted his students to understand there were many unsung heroes who promoted progress for African Americans and never became famous. He … [Read more...]
Remembering One of My Mentors
National Mentoring Month is a time to highlight the power of relationships. As January draws to a close, we reflect on the many stories shared and articles written about the importance of mentorship and its impact on those who need it most. I’ve committed nearly 20 years of my life to expanding mentorship opportunities for youth because I benefited so much from great mentors as a kid and young adult. I know how fortunate I am to have had people take a special interest in helping me develop my … [Read more...]
CPE Mentor Spotlight with Paige Lawal
Hearing stories from our mentors about the work they're doing to support their mentee is both meaningful and inspiring. Paige Lawal is not only our Volunteer Engagement Manager, but a CPE mentor as well. Learn how she is helping her mentee, Jennifer, achieve her dreams. Danielle (CPE): Why did you become a mentor? Paige: I became a mentor because I wanted to make an impact in my community. I wanted to give back to a young person. Danielle (CPE): How long have you … [Read more...]