South Bronx United's #PowerOf11

The #PowerOf11 campaign seeks to share South Bronx United's mission with the world through personal stories of those whose lives have been changed by South Bronx United.  As we are almost exclusively funded through the generous support of private funders and individuals like yourself, the campaign is also a crucial fundraising vehicle to ensuring all of our programs can sustain into the new program and school year. Visit powerof11.southbronxunited.org to learn more. This season’s #PowerOf11 Podcast gives the listener another window into the lives those closest to South Bronx United’s work: our young people (participants, student-athletes), our staff, our coach-mentors, even a board member. Between June 1st and June 11th, Executive Director Andrew So will be sharing 11 conversations with them.  For the final episode of season 4, Andrew speaks with three high school seniors from our SBU Academy just days before their high school graduation. Alanny, Brisa, and Yusuf reflect on the journey that has gotten them to this point and what is coming next. Check out the campaign videos on social media and YouTube.

The #PowerOf11 campaign seeks to share South Bronx United's mission with the world through personal stories of those whose lives have been changed by South Bronx United.  As we are almost exclusively funded through the generous support of private funders and individuals like yourself, the campaign is also a crucial fundraising vehicle to ensuring all of our programs can sustain into the new program and school year. Visit powerof11.southbronxunited.org to learn more. This season’s #PowerOf11 Podcast gives the listener another window into the lives those closest to South Bronx United’s work: our young people (participants, student-athletes), our staff, our coach-mentors, even a board member. Between June 1st and June 11th, Executive Director Andrew So will be sharing 11 conversations with them.  In episode 10, Andrew talks with Elias Santa Cruz, a graduate of the SBU Academy Class of 2023. Elias moved to the Bronx from Paraguay when he was 14. Nearly six years later, he has just finished his freshman year at Baruch College. He is also a current Café Fellow in our Clubhouse Café as part of South Bronx United’s workforce development program. Check out the campaign videos on social media and YouTube.

The #PowerOf11 campaign seeks to share South Bronx United's mission with the world through personal stories of those whose lives have been changed by South Bronx United.  As we are almost exclusively funded through the generous support of private funders and individuals like yourself, the campaign is also a crucial fundraising vehicle to ensuring all of our programs can sustain into the new program and school year. Visit powerof11.southbronxunited.org to learn more. This season’s #PowerOf11 Podcast gives the listener another window into the lives those closest to South Bronx United’s work: our young people (participants, student-athletes), our staff, our coach-mentors, even a board member. Between June 1st and June 11th, Executive Director Andrew So will be sharing 11 conversations with them.  In episode 9, Andrew talks with Quincy Evans, a member of South Bronx United’s Board of Directors. Quincy discusses his childhood growing up in the Bronx and making it to Phillips Andover Academy and Harvard University. He also imparts advice for those looking to get their footing in a finance career. Check out the campaign videos on social media and YouTube.

The #PowerOf11 campaign seeks to share South Bronx United's mission with the world through personal stories of those whose lives have been changed by South Bronx United.  As we are almost exclusively funded through the generous support of private funders and individuals like yourself, the campaign is also a crucial fundraising vehicle to ensuring all of our programs can sustain into the new program and school year. Visit powerof11.southbronxunited.org to learn more. This season’s #PowerOf11 Podcast gives the listener another window into the lives those closest to South Bronx United’s work: our young people (participants, student-athletes), our staff, our coach-mentors, even a board member. Between June 1st and June 11th, Executive Director Andrew So will be sharing 11 conversations with them.  In episode 8, Andrew talks with SBU Academy Class of 2022, graduate Heidy Trujillo. She is now a sophomore at Lehman College majoring in business and works in the Clubhouse Café as a barista after completing our first workforce development cohort last year.

The #PowerOf11 campaign seeks to share South Bronx United's mission with the world through personal stories of those whose lives have been changed by South Bronx United.  As we are almost exclusively funded through the generous support of private funders and individuals like yourself, the campaign is also a crucial fundraising vehicle to ensuring all of our programs can sustain into the new program and school year. Visit powerof11.southbronxunited.org to learn more. This season’s #PowerOf11 Podcast gives the listener another window into the lives those closest to South Bronx United’s work: our young people (participants, student-athletes), our staff, our coach-mentors, even a board member. Between June 1st and June 11th, Executive Director Andrew So will be sharing 11 conversations with them.  In episode 7, Andrew speaks with two alums Nourou Gaiya and Gnim Bazim who he coached going all the way back to the organization’s first year. Nourou joined SBU as a fifth grader back in 2009 while Gnim Bazim joined the following year when we was also in middle school. Nourou, born in Niger, graduated from City College of New York and now works for the State of Colorado Human Resources department. Gnim, originally from Togo, just finished his JD at Fordham Law School and is preparing to take the bar exam and start as an immigration attorney.  Check out the campaign videos on social media (Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn) and YouTube.

The #PowerOf11 campaign seeks to share South Bronx United's mission with the world through personal stories of those whose lives have been changed by South Bronx United.  As we are almost exclusively funded through the generous support of private funders and individuals like yourself, the campaign is also a crucial fundraising vehicle to ensuring all of our programs can sustain into the new program and school year. Visit powerof11.southbronxunited.org to learn more. This season’s #PowerOf11 Podcast gives the listener another window into the lives those closest to South Bronx United’s work: our young people (participants, student-athletes), our staff, our coach-mentors, even a board member. Between June 1st and June 11th, Executive Director Andrew So will be sharing 11 conversations with them.  In episode 6, South Bronx United alumna Karla Ruiz rejoins the podcast to share about her background and why she came back to work with SBU in multiple capacities. After graduating from Long Island University with a major in photography, she came back to the organization serve as an AmeriCorps Up2Us Coach-Mentor for two years. She has returned again as a part-time office coordinator and now a barista in the Clubhouse Café. She discusses these experiences and how her background growing up in the Bronx brought her here. Check out the campaign videos on social media and YouTube.

The #PowerOf11 campaign seeks to share South Bronx United's mission with the world through personal stories of those whose lives have been changed by South Bronx United.  As we are almost exclusively funded through the generous support of private funders and individuals like yourself, the campaign is also a crucial fundraising vehicle to ensuring all of our programs can sustain into the new program and school year. Visit powerof11.southbronxunited.org to learn more. This season’s #PowerOf11 Podcast gives the listener another window into the lives those closest to South Bronx United’s work: our young people (participants, student-athletes), our staff, our coach-mentors, even a board member. Between June 1st and June 11th, Executive Director Andrew So will be sharing 11 conversations with them.  In episode 5, Andrew speaks with two participants of South Bronx United’s Workforce Development Program and Coaching Corps: Kevin Ramos, 20, and Jesus Acosta Jr., 19. They share their background growing up in the Bronx, what they have gained from the program, and think about their future plans as they enter the workforce. Check out the campaign videos on social media (Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn) and YouTube.

The #PowerOf11 campaign seeks to share South Bronx United's mission with the world through personal stories of those whose lives have been changed by South Bronx United.  As we are almost exclusively funded through the generous support of private funders and individuals like yourself, the campaign is also a crucial fundraising vehicle to ensuring all of our programs can sustain into the new program and school year. Visit powerof11.southbronxunited.org to learn more. This season’s #PowerOf11 Podcast gives the listener another window into the lives those closest to South Bronx United’s work: our young people (participants, student-athletes), our staff, our coach-mentors, even a board member. Between June 1st and June 11th, Executive Director Andrew So will be sharing 11 conversations with them.  In episode 3, Development Coordinator Katelan Newman joins the conversation to share her experience growing up in the South Bronx and her decision to return to work in the community after graduating from Middlebury College. In addition to working in fundraising for SBU, Katelan mentors 10th graders in the SBU Academy and is also a recreational coach for SBU's U6 Gold team. Check out the campaign videos on social media and YouTube.

The #PowerOf11 campaign seeks to share South Bronx United's mission with the world through personal stories of those whose lives have been changed by South Bronx United.  As we are almost exclusively funded through the generous support of private funders and individuals like yourself, the campaign is also a crucial fundraising vehicle to ensuring all of our programs can sustain into the new program and school year. Visit powerof11.southbronxunited.org to learn more. This season’s #PowerOf11 Podcast gives the listener another window into the lives those closest to South Bronx United’s work: our young people (participants, student-athletes), our staff, our coach-mentors, even a board member. Between June 1st and June 11th, Executive Director Andrew So will be sharing 11 conversations with them.  In episode 3, Andrew speaks with Alan, Alberto, and Jaziel of SBU Academy and the SBU Boys 2007 team. They took a break during their Memorial Day Weekend trip to Massachusetts to reflect on their journey at South Bronx United dating they first came together on the same team at 10 years old. Check out the campaign videos on social media and YouTube.

The #PowerOf11 campaign seeks to share South Bronx United's mission with the world through personal stories of those whose lives have been changed by South Bronx United.  As we are almost exclusively funded through the generous support of private funders and individuals like yourself, the campaign is also a crucial fundraising vehicle to ensuring all of our programs can sustain into the new program and school year. Visit powerof11.southbronxunited.org to learn more. This season’s #PowerOf11 Podcast gives the listener another window into the lives those closest to South Bronx United’s work: our young people (participants, student-athletes), our staff, our coach-mentors, even a board member. Between June 1st and June 11th, Executive Director Andrew So will be sharing 11 conversations with them.  In episode 2, Andrew reflects with George Kwame Nantwi, who has been with South Bronx United since the first year in 2009. He was born in Ghana and grew up in the Bronx. George is also a Senior Director for Columbia University's Teachers College Record and an Associate Program Manager at the Teachers College EdLab.

The #PowerOf11 campaign seeks to share South Bronx United's mission with the world through personal stories of those whose lives have been changed by South Bronx United.  As we are almost exclusively funded through the generous support of private funders and individuals like yourself, the campaign is also a crucial fundraising vehicle to ensuring all of our programs can sustain into the new program and school year. Visit powerof11.southbronxunited.org to learn more. This season’s #PowerOf11 Podcast gives the listener another window into the lives those closest to South Bronx United’s work: our young people (participants, student-athletes), our staff, our coach-mentors, even a board member. Between June 1st and June 11th, Executive Director Andrew So will be sharing 11 conversations with them.  This year, we’ve tried something a little different for the #PowerOf11 by sharing the story of one SBU Academy participant, Melanye, told over six parts. Part 1 is out now on YouTube as a 7 minute mini-documentary.  Part 2 comes out on YouTube and Instagram/Facebook today. For episode 1 of the podcast, we are talking to the two individuals behind this story:  Melanye Martinez herself and Josh Guerra our Communications Manager who doubles as a documentary filmmaker. Check out the accompanying video on social media and YouTube.

The #PowerOf11 campaign seeks to share South Bronx United's mission with the world through personal stories of those whose lives have been changed by South Bronx United.  As we are almost exclusively funded through the generous support of private funders and individuals like yourself, the campaign is also a crucial fundraising vehicle to ensuring all of our programs can sustain into the new program and school year. This season’s #PowerOf11 Podcast gives the listener another window into the lives those closest to South Bronx United’s work: our young people (participants, student-athletes), our staff, our coach-mentors, even a board member. Between June 1st and June 11th, Executive Director Andrew So will be sharing 11 conversations with them.  Enjoy and learn.

Timestamps:Staisy and Jovani Speech: 00:05:35Stephanie and Oscar Speech: 00:22:00Jerlynn and Osvaldo Speech: 00:35:33College Announcements: 00:43:00Scholarship Announcements: 00:51:09Each senior is heading to the destination of higher learning that is a fit for them including, for the first time, two seniors who have enrolled at Ivy League colleges! On Wednesday, June 8, South Bronx United celebrated these seniors in front of family, friends, mentors, coaches, and peers. SBU also awarded more than $14,000 in college scholarships, with every senior receiving some amount.

Over Memorial Day Weekend, South Bronx United's oldest boys and girls teams took a four-day trip to Massachusetts, the organization's first overnight youth trip since the pandemic started. The trip included a college visit, soccer tournament, team building, camping, and lasting experiences. Listen to some of the sounds from the boys, through the perspective of SBU Academy senior Kevin Sika-Nartey. SBU Executive Director Andrew So tagged along to capture sounds from the trip and the tournament, in particular. Learn more and support the #PowerOf11 at powerof11.southbronxunited.org

In this special edition of Let's Kick It, Minka is joined by fellow SBU Alum Karla Ruiz. Karla graduated from the SBU Academy in 2013. Then, after completing her Bachelor's Degree at Lehman College, she returned to support SBU's Global Youth League and Recreational Soccer Program. She is currently completing a year of service through the AmeriCorps Up2Us Coach program, supporting across the organization, and serving as a Coach-Mentor to the girls U14 team.

Visit https://powerof11.southbronxunited.org to learn more and get involved!

South Bronx United’s Minkael Soumah invites fellow SBU alumni into conversation about their journeys from communities all over the world to the classrooms and soccer fields of the Bronx to college graduation. They discuss the hardships, the lessons learned, and the triumphs they experienced along the way. This podcast aims to celebrate the success of these young men and women and give them recognition for their hard work which often goes unnoticed. It serves to inspire others and particularly the individuals themselves to fuel a sense of confidence and self-worth as they step into their new roles in society and begin their careers.

South Bronx United’s Minkael Soumah invites fellow SBU alumni into conversation about their journeys from communities all over the world to the classrooms and soccer fields of the Bronx to college graduation. They discuss the hardships, the lessons learned, and the triumphs they experienced along the way. This podcast aims to celebrate the success of these young men and women and give them recognition for their hard work which often goes unnoticed. It serves to inspire others and particularly the individuals themselves to fuel a sense of confidence and self-worth as they step into their new roles in society and begin their careers.

This week, Minka talks with Suleman Sey. Sully captained the Keuka College men's soccer team, and recently graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice. They discuss Sully's journey from Gambia and what fuels his motivation to succeed. South Bronx United’s Minkael Soumah invites fellow SBU alumni into conversation about their journeys from communities all over the world to the classrooms and soccer fields of the Bronx to college graduation. They discuss the hardships, the lessons learned, and the triumphs they experienced along the way. This podcast aims to celebrate the success of these young men and women and give them recognition for their hard work which often goes unnoticed. It serves to inspire others and particularly the individuals themselves to fuel a sense of confidence and self-worth as they step into their new roles in society and begin their careers.

South Bronx United’s Minkael Soumah invites fellow SBU alumni into conversation about their journeys from communities all over the world to the classrooms and soccer fields of the Bronx to college graduation. They discuss the hardships, the lessons learned, and the triumphs they experienced along the way. This podcast aims to celebrate the success of these young men and women and give them recognition for their hard work which often goes unnoticed. It serves to inspire others and particularly the individuals themselves to fuel a sense of confidence and self-worth as they step into their new roles in society and begin their careers.