2024 In Review
Empowr’s 2024 Year in Review: Empowering Students, Transforming Futures
As we look back on 2024, we’re filled with pride, gratitude, and excitement for the incredible strides Empowr has made this year. Together with our students, partners, and supporters, we’ve transformed lives and laid a strong foundation for an even brighter future. Here are some highlights of a truly transformative year for Empowr.
Celebrating Our Graduates
This year, we had the privilege of seeing a remarkable group of students graduate from Empowr’s program. 100% of our graduates went on to attend college, with one exceptional student earning admission to MIT! This milestone reflects the dedication of our students and the supportive community surrounding them.
Real-World Experience: Internships That Change Lives
We’re thrilled to report that 100% of our juniors and above secured internships at MIT or Microsoft. These opportunities allowed our students to work as AI consultants and software engineers, generating tens of thousands of dollars in income while gaining invaluable professional experience.
These internships are more than just jobs—they are stepping stones to future success, enabling our students to build skills, networks, and confidence in their ability to thrive in competitive industries.
Inspiring Journeys: Trips to Boston and San Francisco
Empowr students had the incredible opportunity to visit MIT in Boston and Uber and Figma in San Francisco. These trips provided firsthand exposure to leading innovators and the inspiring environments where groundbreaking work happens. Seeing these spaces in action fueled our students’ aspirations and solidified their belief that they belong in these transformative industries.
Sharing Our Vision Globally
Our founder, Adrian Devezin, took Empowr’s mission to the global stage this year. Adrian spoke at the Figma 2024 Conference and the Open edX Conference in South Africa, sharing insights on democratizing education and showcasing the impact of Empowr’s work. These talks highlighted our students’ achievements and underscored the importance of creating equitable opportunities in education and technology.
Expanding Our Reach: Middle School Programs
Empowr began an exciting partnership with the Utopian Trilith Academy for the Arts, marking the launch of our first program for middle schoolers. Through this program, students as young as 13 are on track to become Unity-certified engineers. This initiative has been transformative, increasing our student population by over 400% and allowing us to reach more young learners than ever before.
A Full-Circle Moment: Hiring Chase Palmer
One of the most heartwarming moments of 2024 was welcoming Chase Palmer, one of Empowr’s first graduates, back into our community—this time as an instructor! Chase has joined our team to teach the very program that once shaped his journey. His story is a testament to the power of Empowr’s mission and the transformative impact of education. Chase’s return inspires our current students, showing them firsthand that their dreams are within reach and that giving back can create a ripple effect of success and opportunity.
A Banner Year for Fundraising
Empowr raised over $400,000 in 2024, thanks to the incredible generosity of donors, including:
• The Hopper-Dean Foundation
• Rebecca and Cal Henderson Foundation
• Pluralsight
• PagerDuty
• Akamai
• Aspen Insurance
• City National Bank
• The Elevate Prize
• CDR Johnson Family Foundation
• Salesforce
Your support fuels our mission and helps us create life-changing opportunities for students.
Growing Stronger Through Accelerators
This year, Empowr completed two prestigious accelerators:
• The Greater Sum Accelerator, where we gained valuable insights into operating a successful nonprofit.
• The Camelback Accelerator connected us to a powerful network of technologists and educators of color.
These experiences have strengthened our organization and prepared us to expand our impact further.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we wrap up 2024, we’re more motivated than ever to continue our mission of empowering students and democratizing education. From expanding programs to deepening partnerships, the future is bright, and we can’t wait to see what lies ahead.
To our students, donors, partners, and supporters: thank you for believing in Empowr’s mission. Together, we’re not just changing lives but shaping the future.
Here’s to another year of growth, impact, and success!
Stay connected and join us on this journey:
• Follow us on social media: LinkedIn, Instagram
• Donate to support our mission: https://empowrco.org/donate
Together, we’ll empower the next generation of innovators, leaders, and changemakers.