Build the Pathway: Investing in Generational Greatness

For too long, young people in our communities have been told to overcome systems that were never designed for their success.

At Build 2 Lead, we’re not asking youth to navigate broken systems alone.

We’re building new ones, with them.

Through our B2L Direct Programs, Youth Executive Committee (Y.E.C.), our P.O.W.E.R. Partners, and our growing network of educators, healthcare providers, and community leaders, we are creating real pathways into leadership, healing, and economic mobility.

Because the reality is clear:

Across Washington state, tens of thousands of young people are navigating housing instability, systemic inequities, and limited access to opportunity, barriers that impact their education, health, and future.

And yet, we’ve seen what happens when youth are given access, voice, and power:

They lead.
They organize.
They transform systems.

WHAT WE’RE BUILDING RIGHT NOW

We are entering a new phase—not just programming, but infrastructure.

As outlined in our next phase of work, we are moving...

"From listening → to building pathways and pipelines"

This campaign fuels three critical initiatives:

1. YOUTH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (Y.E.C.)

Youth Voice → Youth Power → Systems Change

Our Y.E.C. is not just a program—it’s a leadership engine.

Youth are:

Leading community campaigns
Facilitating conversations on real issues like housing instability
Designing solutions rooted in lived experience

Now we’re expanding this work through team-based fundraising on Givebutter.

When you donate, you can:

Rally your friends, families, or colleagues to give together
Support a specific youth leader or campaign
Help youth raise funds for the issues they care about most

Funding Need: $40,000

Supports:

Youth stipends
Campaign execution
Community events
Youth-led research and storytelling

2. HEALTHCARE MENTORSHIP & CAREER PIPELINE (40 YOUTH)

We are building a replicable healthcare workforce pipeline for Black and Brown youth.

This includes:

Mentorship placements with healthcare professionals
Local healthcare site visits
A formal referral and internship system
Youth participation in Melanin & Medicine
A national exposure experience

This is not exposure it’s access with structure and accountability.

Funding Need: $120,000

Supports:

Mentorship coordination + staffing
Youth stipends
Partner engagement + internships
Program infrastructure for 40 youth

3. NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EXPOSURE TRIP

Atlanta, GA (2026–2027)

In partnership with King County Best Starts for Kids (COO) and our P.O.W.E.R. Partners, we are taking youth beyond their zip code.

This trip will:

Expose youth to Black-led healthcare institutions
Connect them with professionals and graduate programs
Expand their vision of what’s possible

Funding Need: $60,000

Covers:

Flights
Lodging
Meals
Program coordination
Site visits and experiences

4. MELANIN & MEDICINE 2027

Melanin & Medicine is more than an event.

It’s the entry point into the pipeline.

Each year, it connects youth to:

Healthcare professionals
Hands-on workshops
Career pathways
Representation that changes belief systems

By 2027, we are scaling to:

150–200 youth
Youth-led facilitation and storytelling
Institutional partnerships that lead to real opportunity

Funding Need: $75,000

Supports:

Full event production
Youth participation + stipends
Provider engagement
Media + storytelling

TOTAL CAMPAIGN GOAL: $295,000

This is not just a fundraiser.

This is the infrastructure for:

Youth leadership
Workforce equity
Healthcare access
Systems change

HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION

1. DONATE

Every dollar moves a young person closer to opportunity.

Give today:
https://givebutter.com/c/build-the-pathway-investing-in-generational-greatness-nammek

2. JOIN A TEAM

Don’t just donate—be part of the movement.

Join one of our listed fundraising teams
Start your own team
Support a youth-led campaign (visit our website to learn more about the YEC)

This is how we build community-powered fundraising.

3. SHARE THE CAMPAIGN

Your network = opportunity for our youth.

Post it. Text it. Email it.

4. BECOME A PARTNER

If you represent:

A healthcare organization
A company
A foundation

Let’s build long-term pathways together.

We are not just funding programs.

We are building:

Leaders
Pathways
Systems that work for our communities

And most importantly—

WE ARE BUILDING LEGACY!!!!!

In Solidarity,

Jimmy Brown

Executive Director

Build 2 Lead

Build the Pathway: Investing in Generational Greatness!

Empowering youth leadership, workforce pathways, and wellness across South King County.

Team Leaderboard

Team Members