PIFA 2026-27 Finalists (Brief Project Descriptions)

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The PLUG Initiative: Prepare, Link, Uplift, and Guide by Quan Neloms in Detroit, MI: a nine-month mentoring and postsecondary planning program for 30-45 male students, with an emphasis on young men who are difficult to reach through traditional services and those preparing to return home from juvenile detention

The Familypreneur Academy by Dr. Jessica Reed-Thomas (GMS 2006) in Philadelphia, PA: is a free, six-month program designed to support 25 Philadelphia teen mothers ages 15-19 through 12 interactive sessions, where young mothers will learn how to use an entrepreneurial mindset to make informed decisions, solve problems, build resilience, and create healthier and more financially sustainable homes

ACCESS (Access • Connection • College Exposure • Student Support) by Dr. Kyria Parker-Hart in DFW, TX: ACCESS will directly engage approximately 200 middle school students, with additional opportunities to engage and educate their families. Students will experience a college campus, explore rigorous academic and early-college pathways, connect with current students, and learn about available support

The Ahwat Academic Coaching & Saturday Tutoring Framework by Nahom Ogbazghi (GMS 2013) in Stone Mountain, GA: Ahwat transforms weekend learning into a disciplined, 3-hour educational block every Saturday over a 13 week semester cycle for 35 K–12 refugee and immigrant students through providing up to 39 hours of intensive, face-to-face tutoring and mentorship

NextGen Human-Centered Leadership Project by Dr. Emilia Savage (GMS 2013) in Tuskegee, Alabama: an eight week leadership initiative for 10-20 high school students to help them discover their strengths, build confidence, develop leadership skills, connect with mentors, and turn their own ideas for improving their community into action

The Student Engagement & Attendance Framework by Dr. Jessica King (GMS 2008) in Ronan, MT (Flathead Indian Reservation): a structured, community-rooted educational initiative designed to eliminate systemic attendance barriers, restore institutional trust, and elevate academic engagement for 1,400 K–12 Native and rural youth in Ronan, Montana

We Grew Up: Rural Roots, Rising Women by Alexandria Whitted (GMS 2016) in Rural Southeast, NC: seven-session pilot peer-support project offered through in-person, hybrid, and virtual formats for 15-20 women of color ages 18+ who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), with a particular focus on survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in rural Southeast North Carolina

Senior Days at the Farmers' Market by Miguel Ceniceros (GMS 2015) in Los Angeles, CA: pilot program addressing food insecurity and isolation among 75-100 low-income seniors by bringing them directly into the vibrant, community-centered environment of 3-4 local farmers markets as well as providing transportation, a produce voucher redeemable at market vendor stalls, and access to artist-led or intergenerational programming

Island Futures Academy: Navigating Futures, Empowering Native Hawaiian Leaders in Renewable Energy by Alana Wilson Fusituʻa (GMS 2010) in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi: four-month virtual fellowship designed to prepare three Native Hawaiian students at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with demonstrated financial need for careers in renewable energy, sustainability, and community leadership through individualized mentoring, leadership development, graduate-school preparation, career coaching, as well as professional networking

Open Recipe: Preserving Wisdom, Sharing Possibility by Khaleelah Logan (GMS 2013) in New York City, NY and Atlanta, GA: an intergenerational knowledge-sharing program that transforms hard-earned life lessons into practical wisdom others can use. Through six facilitated gatherings in New York City and Atlanta, each engaging up to 20–25 participants, individuals across generations will create and exchange their own Open Recipes, sharing knowledge that can support personal growth, professional development, and economic empowerment

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About Pay It Forward Accelerator

The Pay It Forward Accelerator (PIFA) is designed to help Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) alumni and select individuals who have the passion and insight to create lasting impact but may lack the resources to bring it to life. We recognize that the most powerful solutions often come from those who understand the barriers, resource scarcity, and rich assets within their communities firsthand.

PIFA is powered by the collective generosity of GMS alumni and community donors, and fueled by the belief that every dollar and every vote can spark real change.

If you have any questions and/or experience any issues, please email admin@scholarsequity.org

Pay It Forward Accelerator (PIFA) 2026-27

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PIFA 2026-27 Finalists