Brandon was raised in the West End of Louisville by a single parent. In the eighth grade, he was introduced to the Black Achievers Program at the Chestnut Street Family YMCA. This out-of-school time (OST) program helped him focus on his educational and career goals and overcome some of the challenges he faced in his neighborhood and school.

Through the ongoing support of the compassionate volunteers and mentors involved in the Black Achievers program, Brandon excelled in Shawnee High School and attended the college of his dreams, Tennessee State University (TSU). Brandon graduated from TSU last May, and is currently enrolled in graduate school, seeking a Masters of Education in Instructional Leadership. While at TSU, he joined the Generation of Educated Men, the Collegiate 100 of the 100 Black Men, the University Ambassador Program and served as Chapter President of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Zeta Alpha Chapter.

From the start, Brandon believed in the mission of the Y and also shared his journey with the other youth in the program. He credits the Black Achievers with making both his high school and college graduation possible and still stays in touch with the Black Achiever’s Director, Lynn Johnson, who he affectionately calls “Momma Lynn.”

Learn more about OST programs and why they are so important to keeping our community’s youth on track to graduate high school on time.