My name is Jabari and I grew up on the Southside of Chicago. Growing up, I wanted to be a dentist, and also start a restaurant business and do music. When I graduated high school, I went to Southern Illinois University to be a dentist. While many of my friends had help with figuring out financial aid, and how to complete an undergraduate application, plus housing and tuition, I had to figure it out all on my own.

I got accepted, but working full time, and trying to keep up with a pre-dentistry tract, and computer science minor, I quickly got overwhelmed, and my grades suffered. Organic Chemistry was especially challenging for me. I ended up changing my major to another patient centered field, but certain foundations were needed for me to succeed better, that I didn't have. I graduated with a major in healthcare management, and double minor in long-term care and health information management. Later, COVID happened, and I found myself wanting to help my community, and I attended the University of Illinois Chicago where I got a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Administration.

I was blessed to find a graduate assistant job while in school and it was building pathway programs for underrepresented youth in Health Professions and STEM. As a person who had to navigate college application by myself, in addition to being the only one in many of my classes, I realized that there were so many barriers that prevented students from pursing their passions.

Sooo. I created an online inventory and resource hub for students that had all information for navigating pathway programs. It grew from 40 programs on a csv. file to now over 130 programs on a user friendly platform. With a small team, we impacted 1000s of students, engaged over 300 organizations, and built sustainable platforms for student in all of Illinois. I created a Youth Advisory Council to ensure student voices are implemented in the work we do, and also uplift their voices, so they can empower their peers and build a new, impactful generation.

As of March 31, 2026... funding has stopped fully, and the University has not supported the project past that date. Currently, me and my colleague, Michelle, have maintained these resources and met with parents, students and educators to keep these resources available with no funding, but solely on a pro-bono basis. With the Summer approaching, and realistically, are ability to continue supporting students, keeping the inventory alive, we need financial support to do so.

I would like to not only make sure these resources are available for underrepresented students in Illinois, but work to expand this further across the country, so that all students have a chance to succeed and do the things they are passionate about at a young age. If you can, we would greatly appreciate your support in continuing this work, and helping us support the program, as well as youth heading into the summer. We appreciate your consideration.

If you cant support today, and would still like to be involved, please email me at jtaylo72@uic.edu. I am also happy to help organizations start the process of building their own platforms and creating this for professions outside of health and STEM. Like Law, Trade, Music/Creativity.

Thank you!

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