Register for I WILL GRADUATE Day 2025 Today!

Empowering Students. Inspiring Futures.

Volunteer With Us to keep our youth on the path to graduation and success.

Who We Are

I WILL GRADUATE Youth Development Program is dedicated to serving and empowering students, families, and the community by communicating the importance of educational excellence. We accomplish our goals through youth development programs, arts-in-education, college and career guidance, mentoring, parent engagement, school and community workshops, exciting events, and the use of multimedia platforms.

in 2005…

In 2005, moved by NYC’s alarming dropout rates, music executive J.P. Taylor and former educator Tonya Lewis combined their resources and industry connections

to create the I WILL GRADUATE Youth Development Program.

Only about 46% of New York City students graduated on time, with nearly half either dropping out or requiring additional time

46%

37%

Only 37% of Black and Latino students graduated on time in some districts, showing persistent racial and economic divides in graduation outcomes

50%

Schools with the lowest graduation rates had dropout rates close to 50%, making educational success an exceptional challenge for many students

INSPIRE.

We empower young people to take ownership of their personal growth and future success. By leveraging the influence and star power of prominent figures, we inspire youth to value education, pursue continuous self-improvement, and remain committed to making a positive impact in their communities.

CONNECT.

We connect youth and families to vital resources and opportunities that help students overcome challenges and strive for both academic and personal excellence.

EMPOWER.

We empower youth by providing information, guidance, and inspiration through engaging workshops and events. These experiences equip them with the tools to set meaningful goals, take action, and build self-belief-unlocking their incredible potential.

Explore our programs

EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMS

Help Us Empower NYC Students for success

Your monetary donation will help fund academic, art and youth empowerment programs for over 21,000 students across New York City.

Together, we are providing opportunities and developing our leaders of tomorrow.