Writing is a crucial skill that can lead to academic success now and have a lasting impact on life later. As we approach the end of the school year 12th graders are continuing to get their college scholarship applications finished up and submitted. A personal statement and scholarship essay usually are required to complete most applications. These statements and essays can have a significant impact on the overall college application process and capturing scholarships. Gregory Nesmith, Aliah Harris, Kayla Daniels Redden, Siani Ross, and Justin Glover, all recently spoke with Melissa Rowe, M.Ed, about tips that she has for high school students who are writing personal statements, how students can improve their writing, and how to overcome writer's block. Melissa Rowe, M.Ed., is a Writer, Educator, and Founder of Capture Greatness!. You can find out more information about B2W at www.Bridges2Wealth.org. And check out the B2W blog too at www.Bridges2Wealth.org/blog.

Bridges To Wealth (B2W) livestream podcast Episode 5 was originally recorded live virtually as a B2W Facebook Live. This episode was hosted by Gregory, Aliah, Justin, and Siani. Our special guest Nichole Renee, M.Ed., joined us to talk about how 12th graders can handle their senior year and still plan for college during a pandemic. Nichole is an author, College & Career Counselor, College Planning Specialist, and Founder & CEO at NicholeReneeEnterprises.com.

Donte Robinson and Rashon Nelson (Entrepreneurs and Founders of Action Not Words) stopped by the Bridges To Wealth office to talk about Project Elevate, entrepreneurship, and Philly. Plus, they talked with, three 12th graders from Paul Robeson High School and the B2W Youth Entrepreneurship Incubator, Aliah Harris, Kayla Daniels Redden, and Siani Ross. “Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson created Project Elevate and the nonprofit Action Not Words following their 2018 wrongful arrest at a coffee shop in Philadelphia’s Center City. As part of its settlement with Nelson and Donte, the city committed $200,000 as seed money to launch Project Elevate and, after issuing a request for proposals, chose the Netter Center as the program partner. The Netter Center’s Bridges To Wealth program will use the funds to implement a Project Elevate pilot program this year at Paul Robeson High School and John Bartram High School in Philadelphia. The goal is to broaden students’ perspectives and equip them with the tools, resources, and access needed to reach their goals and make an impact on their broader communities.”

VIDEO INTERVIEW: https://youtu.be/g_kRDts6hkY.

ABOUT: Welcome to Bridges To Wealth - Closing the wealth gap in Philly and beyond through education and opportunity. Bridges To Wealth is a non-profit organization based at the University of Pennsylvania: www.bridges2wealth.org. Every episode of the Bridges To Wealth podcast explores the culture of entrepreneurship, financial freedom, and community. Let’s build communities of wealth together, in Philly, and beyond. Podcast Producer and Host: Gregory Nesmith, Community Relations Director & Entrepreneurship Mentor at Bridges To Wealth, Founder & CEO at UNderdogstuff, a member of Penn Wharton Entrepreneurship’s VIP-C Incubator, Philly native, and soon to be Wharton School alum. www.GregoryNesmith.com.

“SPECIAL EPISODE: Jill Bazelon And Keith Weigelt On Reality Check” - Dr. Jill Bazelon (Co-Founder and Director of Bridges To Wealth, Professor at the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania) and Dr. Keith Weigelt (Co-Founder Bridges To Wealth, Professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania) were recently on the live talk radio show “Reality Check with Charles Ellison on WURD 96.1 FM PHILLY. Jill and Keith joined Charles to discuss how Bridges to Wealth is bringing financial empowerment training to students and adults in Philadelphia as a way to lessen the wealth gap in the city.

Reality Check with Charles Ellison (@ellisonreport) airs every Monday through Thursday from 4-7pm on WURD 96.1 FM PHILLY (www.WURDradio.com). The show features thought leadership, analysis, and data on the politics, policies, and people impacting our communities in Philadelphia and on the national and international front.

UPDATE: New episodes of the Bridges To Wealth podcast are coming soon! Bridges To Wealth is a non-profit organization based at the University of Pennsylvania. Our free intergenerational programs empower youth and adults with vital business literacy knowledge and life skills:www.Bridges2Wealth.org. Every episode of the Bridges To Wealth podcast explores the culture of entrepreneurship, financial freedom, and community. Let’s build communities of wealth together, in Philly, and beyond. Podcast Producer and Host: Gregory Nesmith, Bridges To Wealth Entrepreneurship Mentor & Teacher, soon to be Wharton School alum, founder of UNderdogstuff, and Philly native.

“Can Two Different Schools Have One Brand?” BRIDGE BUILDERS SPOTLIGHT: Sam Palmer (12th Grader at Robeson High School) and Kieth Newman (Dean of Students at Robeson High School) stop by to share about tackling the challenge of two different schools creating one brand. CLOSING A GAP: Aliah Harris, Kayla Daniels Redden, and Sam Palmer (All 12th Graders at Robeson High School) share about their experiences as student entrepreneurs. And they share helpful tips for adults on how to be supportive to students with similar business and financial aspirations. PHILLY FOCUS: We end each episode with some fun Philly questions.

VIDEO PODCAST: This episode is on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/J5Brs4_oJAY

ABOUT: Welcome to Bridges To Wealth - Closing the wealth gap in Philly and beyond through education and opportunity. Bridges To Wealth is a non-profit organization based at the University of Pennsylvania: http://www.bridges2wealth.org. Every episode of the Bridges To Wealth podcast explores the culture of entrepreneurship, financial freedom, and community. Let’s build communities of wealth together, in Philly, and beyond. Podcast Producer and Host: Gregory Nesmith (http://www.GregoryNesmith.com), Bridges To Wealth Entrepreneurship Mentor & Teacher, soon to be Wharton School alum, Founder & CEO of UNderdogstuff, member of Penn Wharton Entrepreneurship’s Incubator, and Philly native.

Oct 13, 2019

“The Rise Of Paul Robeson High School With Principal Richard Gordon” - Richard Gordon IV, Principal at Paul Robeson High School (https://robeson.philasd.org), stops by to talk about the recent success story of the school, a unique social media project with his students, their partnership with Bridges To Wealth, and the coming soon launch of Project Elevate.

ABOUT: Welcome to Bridges To Wealth - Closing the wealth gap in Philly and beyond through education and opportunity. Bridges To Wealth is a non-profit organization based at the University of Pennsylvania. Our free intergenerational programs empower youth and adults with vital business literacy knowledge and life skills: www.Bridges2Wealth.org. Every episode of the Bridges To Wealth podcast explores the culture of entrepreneurship, financial freedom, and community. Let’s build communities of wealth together, in Philly, and beyond. Podcast Producer and Host: Gregory Nesmith, Bridges To Wealth Entrepreneurship Mentor & Teacher, soon to be Wharton School alum, founder of UNderdogstuff, and Philly native.