Learn, Grow, Thrive: Sparking Connections in Education.

Ashanti Branch, born and raised by a single mother on welfare in Oakland, California, took the road less traveled to get out of the ghetto and attended one of California’s premier engineering colleges, California Polytechnic - San Luis Obispo. Ashanti studied Civil Engineering and worked as a construction project manager in his first career. After tutoring struggling students and realizing his true passion was teaching, Mr. Branch changed careers. He had suddenly found the “fire” that was missing in his life and he hoped to ignite a similar enthusiasm in his young students.In 2004 as a first year teacher, Ashanti started The Ever Forward Club to provide a support group for African American and Latino males, who were not achieving to the level of their potential. Since then, The Ever Forward Club has grown to serve both young men and women and become a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Ever Forward Club has helped 100% of its members graduate high school and 93% of them have gone on to attend college.With over 19 years mentoring youth and 10 of those years as a math teacher educating inner city youth, Ashanti was awarded with a Fulbright Exchange Fellowship to India, a Rotary Club Cultural Ambassadorial Fellowship to Mexico and a 2010 Teacher of the Year Award from the Alameda-Contra Costa County Math Educators.Mr. Branch is on a mission to change the way that students interact with their education and the way schools interact with students.

Javier Sanchez is recognized both nationally and internationally as a leader in developing effective strategies for youth and community mobilization. His experience and expertise come from more than 20 years of work with the Youth to Youth International Program. Javier specializes in helping teens and their adult allies develop strategies tor relevant, effective and sustainable community impact. In 2003 he was awarded the Robert Wood Johnson Foundations' Developing Leaders in Reducing Substance Abuse Fellowship and is a graduate of the Ray Miller Institute for Change and Leadership. His company, R.E.A.C.H. Communications, Ic (Reaching Excellence in Attitude, Character, and Health) is a boutique marketing firm that uses the :by youth, for youth" approach to create cutting-edge health and wellness messages and communication strategies that effectively reach and engage our most disenfranchised communities and vulnerable populations. Javier has written two books, a children's book for fathers and daughters entitled "Look in My Mirror" and a book designed to help students, artists, activists, and entrepreneurs add process to their passion entitled "From This Moment On."

SaulPaul is a 3x GRAMMY Nominated Musician with a Message. He has also presented 3 TEDx Talks, performed at the Kennedy Center for Performing Ats and been featured on America's Got Talent. His life story of transitioning from tragedy to triumph has been told on screen via the documentary Tower to Tower as well as via his memoir Be The Change.Recognizing an inherent responsibility to give back, SaulPaul founded the SaulPaul Foundation. The SaulPaul Foundation is a launchpad fro young people. And a platform for community members to serve as community leaders through acts of kindness, volunteerism and philanthropy.In addition to using his creativity in the studio, on the stage, and in his community service, SaulPaul also uses it in his philanthropy. Most recently he launched CHANGE Water, an alkaline water company that is making the world a better place. With each case of water sold, CHANGE Water gives back to the local community where it was sold. To date, 100,000 students in 32 states across the U.S. have benefited.Whether via, art, entrepreneurship or community services, SaulPaul is committed to #BeTheChange.

Episode 3 features an interview with Steward Pimienta (Travis Credit Union) and Kim Lane (Solano County Office of Education Program Manager, College and Career Readiness).  This episode focuses on financial literacy and the partnership between Travis Credit Union and Solano County Office of Education.https://www.traviscu.org/https://www.solanocoe.net/

Episode 2: Featuring an interview with Michael Muir from Access Adventure.  Michael shares his experiences working with SCOE's neurodiverse students and the partnership between the two organizations bringing the outdoors and equine experiences into the learning environment.Access Adventure's mission is to enrich the lives of people with disabilities and other underserved community members by providing outdoor recreation, open space access, education and therapy through a working partnership with horses and specialized adaptive equipment.More about Access AdventureMore about Solano County Office of Education

In our first episode, we interview Joey Travolta (Inclusion Films) and Kesha Lovett (Solano County Office of Education Manager, Workforce Development). They talk about the partnership between the two organizations focusing on Film Camp and the Red Carpet Premiere.Red Carpet Premiere 2024 photos:  https://solanocoe.smugmug.com/2024-Red-Carpet-PremiereFilm Camp 2024 photos:  https://solanocoe.smugmug.com/2024FilmCamp2024 Movie:  https://vimeo.com/1015369386/55aa5f61c7?share=copyhttps://www.inclusionfilms.com