Spark Mentor Spotlight with Tara Desporte

Tara Desporte is a Postbaccalaureate Research Trainee at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She grew up in Clarendon, Jamaica but has since called Miami, Baltimore, and now North Bethesda her home.

Why did you become a mentor? 

When I made the move to NIH, I knew I wanted to get involved with the community. Having supportive mentors has made such a lasting impact on my own academic achievements that I knew I wanted to be a part of a community that gave me the opportunity to do the same. I found that here at Spark the Journey!

How long have you been mentoring with Spark the Journey? 

I have been mentoring with Spark the Journey for about eight months.

What activities do you do with your mentee?

We do weekly check-ins to work on different subject areas, attend the amazing functions hosted by Spark, and we’re going to paint pottery soon so I’m looking forward to that!

What has been a highlight of your mentoring experience so far? 

Seeing my mentee improve their grade in a challenging class. Their commitment to finishing the semester strong despite the difficulty was truly inspiring.

What is one of your mentee’s dreams? 

One of their dreams is to go to law school.

How are you helping them achieve it? 

Currently, supporting them with college application prep. This ranges from making a list of potential schools to test-taking tips for their upcoming exams.

How has Spark helped you in your mentoring relationship? 

Spark does a great job of checking in with me to see how my experience is going. I feel supported during my regular meetings with Ranya, my Program Coordinator. (She’s really amazing.) Also, the scheduled mentor events hosted by Spark helps to foster a sense of community amongst the mentors.

What advice would you give anyone considering mentoring?

Do it! Being a mentor has been so fulfilling. I enjoy partnering with an initiative like Spark that supports our youth in such a meaningful way.

Spark’s request for $1 million was doubled when they received the highest peer review scores.

March 19, 2024

Spark the Journey today announced that it has received a $2 million dollar grant from Yield Giving, a fund led by philanthropist, MacKenzie Scott. This unrestricted gift will help Spark further its mission of preparing more Black and Brown young adults from low-income communities in the Washington D.C. region for college and career success through mentoring.

“We are deeply honored that Yield Giving has awarded Spark the Journey these funds, which will enable us to expand our reach and serve even more young people on the path to economic mobility,” said Khari Brown, CEO and President of Spark the Journey. “For more than thirty years, Spark has successfully helped Black and Brown young adults overcome the academic and professional barriers that limit so many of their peers. This gift, the largest in our organization’s history, is a testament to the life-changing impact that mentorship and a community of support can provide. Thanks to MacKenzie Scott’s generosity, we are one step closer to a more equitable future for our young people.”

In March 2023, Yield Giving launched an Open Call for community-led, community-focused organizations whose explicit purpose is to enable individuals and families to achieve substantive improvement in their well-being through foundational resources. Spark was one of the 6,353 nonprofit organizations that applied. Yield Giving initially planned for 250 awards of $1 million each, but in light of the incredible work of these organizations, the donor team decided to expand the awardee pool and the award amount. Spark received a $2 million award because it was in the group of highest-scoring organizations.

In Washington DC, concentrated income inequality and poverty are barriers to education and employment for Black and Brown families. Approximately 90% of children living in poverty in the District are Black, and according to the DC Council Office of Racial Equity, Black residents are five times more likely to have incomes below the federal poverty level than white residents.

Despite these challenges, Spark helps its program participants persist and pursue their academic and career dreams so that they can attain economic mobility regardless of their zip code, educational background, or race. Studies show that targeted support and interventions are predictors of high school graduation, and young adults from low-income communities with a mentor are 55% more likely to enroll in college. Eighty percent of Spark’s high school class of 2022 persisted into their second year of college education, compared to 55% of all Black students and 63% of all Latino students nationwide.

Every young person deserves the opportunity to achieve their dreams. Spark is proud to provide mentorship, community, and support so that our program participants are empowered to fulfill their full potential.

About Spark the Journey: Spark the Journey is a non-profit organization that provides mentorship and a community of support for young adults to chart their own paths to achieving college and career success. We envision a future where every young person can attain economic mobility, regardless of education, background, or race. If you are interested in supporting our work, learn more here about becoming a mentor or making a gift.

Kailin Love is from New Jersey and has lived in DC for 10 years. She works for CARE USA as Sustainability Principal, working to help corporations do more good and build more resilient and sustainable supply chains.

Why did you become a mentor? 

In my line of work, I do a lot for women and girls’ empowerment worldwide. I wanted to be able to contribute closer to home!

How long have you been mentoring with Spark the Journey? 

I’ve been mentoring for about six months.

What activities do you do with your mentee?

We have walked our dogs together and have also started driving lessons.

What has been a highlight of your mentoring experience so far? 

Getting to know my mentee and seeing her succeed!

What is one of your mentee’s dreams? 

To open and/or own a dance studio.

How are you helping them achieve it? 

Discussing how college choices can help support long-term dreams.

How has Spark helped you in your mentoring relationship? 

By providing helpful structure and feedback.

What advice would you give anyone considering mentoring?

Just jump in and do it! It is absolutely a great use of your time.

Michael Edwards is married with two sons, the oldest a senior in high school, and the youngest in 5th grade. He is a professional full-time photographer (Dual Vizion Photography).

He is a Maryland resident and presently runs a creative community, Portrait Meet DC, while being a youth basketball coach and mentor in his free time. He is a strong believer in community, and hosts a weekly live YouTube show called the Dual Exchange, which promotes small businesses and encouragement for creatives.

Why did you become a mentor? 

I became a mentor after having had the chance to be a photographer for many of the events here at Spark the Journey. I was inspired by what I was capturing, and answered the call to action while shooting an event.

How long have you been mentoring with Spark the Journey? 

I have been mentoring for about a year now.

What activities do you do with your mentee?

We enjoy getting a chance to link up to eat and chat about life.

What has been a highlight of your mentoring experience so far? 

My highlight occurred when I finally was matched – the joy of knowing that I felt that the perfect pairing took place with my mentee and I.

What is one of your mentee’s dreams? 

He dreams of being able to contribute in a higher capacity for his family, and becoming more skilled at content creation online.

How are you helping them achieve it? 

Consistent communication and encouragement are key when trying to elevate the goals shared.

How has Spark helped you in your mentoring relationship? 

They provide a platform for success for not only the mentee, with their endless programs, but for mentors as well, by boosting morale with social gatherings and constant communication to see what we need to make the process beneficial.

What advice would you give anyone considering mentoring?

If you have thought about it, try it. The difference you make by sharing your time with a mentee is priceless.

Ready for my journey to continue at UDC to study mechanical engineering. I always keep my eyes toward NASA, that’s been my dream company since I was like six.  

What are your plans for next year? 

Next year I’m going to go to UDC and study mechanical engineering. It’s close to home, it’s real affordable and I feel like I could definitely get a lot of the information and knowledge that I need. While I’ve had some engineering help in classes in high school, I definitely feel I could get a further education if I take it to college.

 

What are you most excited about for next year? 

I’m definitely most excited about broadening my horizons – having that sense of independent freedom, but also that sense of, “now’s my time to shine.” Now I can really use this opportunity to find out who I truly am and what I truly want to do. Because, say I get there and engineering’s not really right for me, I have plenty of options to choose from, and I feel that regardless of what I choose, I should be ok.
 

What’s one goal you have for next year? 

I definitely want to try to broaden my network more, not only with students and adults, but just overall.
 

What’s one lesson or skill you’ve learned at Spark that you think will be the most helpful for this next chapter in your life? 

I’ve really enjoyed my time at Spark. I would definitely recommend it to anyone else in high school. It’s a great program, a great way for you to get out there and learn more not only about yourself but how to get along with other people, people locally in your area, and also have a really beneficial mentor who will help you out throughout your high school years. It’s just an overall great experience – you can’t find an experience like this in other companies, not as well as Spark, that is.

Ready for my journey to continue at UDC to study mechanical engineering. I always keep my eyes toward NASA, that’s been my dream company since I was like six.  

What are your plans for next year? 

Next year I’m going to go to UDC and study mechanical engineering. It’s close to home, it’s real affordable and I feel like I could definitely get a lot of the information and knowledge that I need. While I’ve had some engineering help in classes in high school, I definitely feel I could get a further education if I take it to college.

 

What are you most excited about for next year? 

I’m definitely most excited about broadening my horizons – having that sense of independent freedom, but also that sense of, “now’s my time to shine.” Now I can really use this opportunity to find out who I truly am and what I truly want to do. Because, say I get there and engineering’s not really right for me, I have plenty of options to choose from, and I feel that regardless of what I choose, I should be ok.
 

What’s one goal you have for next year? 

I definitely want to try to broaden my network more, not only with students and adults, but just overall.
 

What’s one lesson or skill you’ve learned at Spark that you think will be the most helpful for this next chapter in your life? 

I’ve really enjoyed my time at Spark. I would definitely recommend it to anyone else in high school. It’s a great program, a great way for you to get out there and learn more not only about yourself but how to get along with other people, people locally in your area, and also have a really beneficial mentor who will help you out throughout your high school years. It’s just an overall great experience – you can’t find an experience like this in other companies, not as well as Spark, that is.

Michael Edwards is married with two sons, the oldest a senior in high school, and the youngest in 5th grade. He is a professional full-time photographer (Dual Vizion Photography).

He is a Maryland resident and presently runs a creative community, Portrait Meet DC, while being a youth basketball coach and mentor in his free time. He is a strong believer in community, and hosts a weekly live YouTube show called the Dual Exchange, which promotes small businesses and encouragement for creatives.

Why did you become a mentor? 

I’ve been so positively impacted by mentoring relationships in my life, both by having mentors and by getting to be a mentor for others. And I wanted to get more involved in the community, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming to make any sort of positive change in the world. Being there for one person consistently – that feels both achievable and impactful in a really meaningful way.

How long have you been mentoring with Spark the Journey? 

Almost two and a half years now!

What activities do you do with your mentee?

We have met up a couple times to make tie blankets to donate to hospitals or animal shelters. It’s a great activity to do where you can also hang out and chat while you do it!

What has been a highlight of your mentoring experience so far? 

Recently my mentee, Tanyiah, invited me to her high school graduation, and it’s both awesome to know that she’ll soon be celebrating all of her hard work over the last four years, and touching that she really wants me to be there.

What is one of your mentee’s dreams? 

Tanyiah is still figuring out what she wants to do as a career, but lately she’s mentioned aspirations of starting a childcare business one day.

How are you helping them achieve it? 

I try to be a sounding board for ideas that Tanyiah has for her future, and I encourage her to get as much experience trying things as she can. It can be hard to know if you like something until you try it!

How has Spark helped you in your mentoring relationship? 

My program coordinator, Ranya, has been really awesome in connecting me and my mentee with resources that have helped her immensely on her academic and personal journey. The monthly activities are great educational tools as well.

What advice would you give anyone considering mentoring?

Definitely do it! It may seem daunting at times, because you can’t solve every single problem for your mentee, but sometimes they just need someone there to listen and support them. That alone can make a very real difference.

Ready for my journey to continue at UDC to study mechanical engineering. I always keep my eyes toward NASA, that’s been my dream company since I was like six.  

What are your plans for next year? 

Next year I’m going to go to UDC and study mechanical engineering. It’s close to home, it’s real affordable and I feel like I could definitely get a lot of the information and knowledge that I need. While I’ve had some engineering help in classes in high school, I definitely feel I could get a further education if I take it to college.

 

What are you most excited about for next year? 

I’m definitely most excited about broadening my horizons – having that sense of independent freedom, but also that sense of, “now’s my time to shine.” Now I can really use this opportunity to find out who I truly am and what I truly want to do. Because, say I get there and engineering’s not really right for me, I have plenty of options to choose from, and I feel that regardless of what I choose, I should be ok.
 

What’s one goal you have for next year? 

I definitely want to try to broaden my network more, not only with students and adults, but just overall.
 

What’s one lesson or skill you’ve learned at Spark that you think will be the most helpful for this next chapter in your life? 

I’ve really enjoyed my time at Spark. I would definitely recommend it to anyone else in high school. It’s a great program, a great way for you to get out there and learn more not only about yourself but how to get along with other people, people locally in your area, and also have a really beneficial mentor who will help you out throughout your high school years. It’s just an overall great experience – you can’t find an experience like this in other companies, not as well as Spark, that is.

Ready for my journey to continue at UDC to study mechanical engineering. I always keep my eyes toward NASA, that’s been my dream company since I was like six.  

What are your plans for next year? 

Next year I’m going to go to UDC and study mechanical engineering. It’s close to home, it’s real affordable and I feel like I could definitely get a lot of the information and knowledge that I need. While I’ve had some engineering help in classes in high school, I definitely feel I could get a further education if I take it to college.

 

What are you most excited about for next year? 

I’m definitely most excited about broadening my horizons – having that sense of independent freedom, but also that sense of, “now’s my time to shine.” Now I can really use this opportunity to find out who I truly am and what I truly want to do. Because, say I get there and engineering’s not really right for me, I have plenty of options to choose from, and I feel that regardless of what I choose, I should be ok.
 

What’s one goal you have for next year? 

I definitely want to try to broaden my network more, not only with students and adults, but just overall.
 

What’s one lesson or skill you’ve learned at Spark that you think will be the most helpful for this next chapter in your life? 

I’ve really enjoyed my time at Spark. I would definitely recommend it to anyone else in high school. It’s a great program, a great way for you to get out there and learn more not only about yourself but how to get along with other people, people locally in your area, and also have a really beneficial mentor who will help you out throughout your high school years. It’s just an overall great experience – you can’t find an experience like this in other companies, not as well as Spark, that is.

About Us
Why Mentorship
Our Impact