YOUNG, GIFTED, AND EDUCATED

THE HARLEM Y EMPOWERS TEENS THROUGH THE BAI INITIATIVE

Founded in 1971 by Dr. Leo B. Marsh, the Black Achievers in Industry (bai) program marked the start of the Harlem Y and corporate partners coming together to transform the lives of New York City’s youth. Today, the bai Initiative continues to empower underserved youth to achieve educational and career success by offering a foundation of support through the four pillars (Scholarship, Mentorship, Corporate Internship and a Tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and providing access to opportunities to develop critical leadership skills. This spring, over 30 teens in the program went on an HBCU tour, visiting Cheney University, Delaware State University, Howard University, and Morgan State University.

Corporate partners play a key role in offering young people professional mentorship, internships, and scholarships. Since the program launched, more than 850 scholarships have been awarded to teens at the bai Gala. Celebrating its 52nd year, the bai Gala also honors emerging corporate professionals and recognizes corporations engaged in community work.

The Y is grateful for our leadership supporters of the bai Initiative including Colgate-Palmolive Company, Con Edison, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, L’Oreal, New York Life, The H.W. Wilson Foundation, and The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. •

(top) BAI participants outside of the National Museum of African American History and Culture