About Us
Approaching
20
Years Of
Service
WHO WE ARE
EMPOWERING YOUTH is at the center of all that we do.
ENTERTAINERS FOR EDUCATION ALLIANCE INC. DBA/I WILL GRADUATE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM– is dedicated to serving and empowering students, families, and their communities by empowering them to achieve educational excellence.
We accomplish our mission through impactful citywide initiatives utilizing the talents and resources of professionals within the music and entertainment industry, and youth development programs including arts in education, college and career guidance, mentoring opportunities, parent/family engagement efforts, school and community workshops, social events, and much more.
Check out our video below!
About I WILL GRADUATE
OUR STORY
IN 2005…
...music industry executive J.P Taylor and former educator turned celebrity event publicist Tonya Lewis both learned about the horrifying dropout statistics plaguing students across New York City schools. Moved by this, the two combined their passion for supporting youth, and their entertainment industry relationships and resources to develop I WILL GRADUATE Inc., and Entertainers for Education Alliance - now known as the
I WILL GRADUATE Youth Development Program.​
SHOCKING STATISTICS
At the time, only
46%
of New York City students graduated on time,
with that number dropping as low as
for Black and Latino students.
37%
Schools with the lowest graduation rates
had dropout rates close to
50%
- making educational success an exceptional challenge for many students.
​Since then, I WILL GRADUATE has been dedicated to serving and empowering students and families in New York City. The I WILL GRADUATE programs are designed to inspire school aged youth to take initiative in bettering their futures through arts-in-education, college/career guidance, life-skills and leadership development, academic and social/emotional support, mentoring and peer-mediation programs.​​
​I WILL GRADUATE believes every student deserves access to a high-quality education and the tools to thrive beyond the classroom. Through strategic partnerships with schools, educators, and community stakeholders, we work to strengthen our communities and confront the systemic inequities disproportionately impacting working-class, BIPOC, and under-resourced populations.
​
Our mission is not only to support students - but to transform outcomes, expand opportunity, and redefine what’s possible for the next generation.