College Track

It’s We’re Good Wednesday!  Join us and learn about College Track - a life changing program made possible by NBA superstar Kevin Durant’s $10 million commitment to his hometown. Set just across the street from Suitland High School in Prince George’s County, Maryland, College Track at the Durant Center is changing lives by guiding first-generation college students through high school, college, and beyond. You’ll hear the emotional reflections of Wanda Durant —Kevin’s mother and President of the Durant Family Foundation—who shares what it means to witness the first cohort of graduates fulfill a dream long held by her family. Alongside her,  Executive Site Director - James D. Williams II, explains how College Track doesn’t just focus on grades, but treats each student holistically, offering emotional support, mentorship, family engagement, and life coaching. But it’s the story of Mamadi Diallo, a college junior and proud alumnus of the program, that truly brings the mission to life. From his early doubts to now thriving in college, Mamadi shares how College Track gave him the confidence, skills, and community he needed to succeed—both academically and personally. You can tune in wherever you get your podcasts and follow We're Good here on LinkedIn to join us in celebrating the good happening all around us. #collegetrack #communityimpact #excellence #weregoodpodcast Lee Ann Necessary Brownlee Tanya Ruiz La Force Mary Ellen Chandler Matheson, MBA

As I close out my 10-week internship with UnCommon Law, I find myself reflecting on what a transformative experience these past few months have been. UnCommon Law’s work—supporting people through the parole process—opened my eyes to an area of the system that I had not engaged with as deeply before. I came into this internship with a strong interest in mass incarceration, and I am leaving with a new appreciation for the parole process and the many ways it can open doors for healing, growth, and new beginnings. As the communications intern, I had the chance to witness the power of media in shaping narratives and uplifting stories. These lessons have shaped not only how I think about this work, but also how I see my own path moving forward. I am deeply grateful to the team at UnCommon Law for welcoming me with open arms. A special thank you to my supervisor Kali S. and Anastasia Mallillin, whose guidance and kindness made all the difference, and to my fellow interns, Mia Zambrano & Roberto Ibarra who made the office feel warm, collaborative, and never lonely. Our conversations, laughter, and support for each other were some of the best parts of this summer. I also want to extend heartfelt gratitude to the Emerson Collective team and College Track for making opportunities like this possible through the First Gen Intern Program. Your investment in students like me has given me the space to grow, learn, and feel confident in the value I can bring to this work. This internship has given me so much more than professional skills—it has given me a new sense of self, a stronger community, and friends who have made the Bay Area feel like home. I’m leaving with gratitude, inspiration, and a renewed commitment to being part of change.

This summer, I had the absolute privilege of interning with UnCommon Law. I'm filled with gratitude for an experience that deeply shaped me. When I first started, I didn't fully understand what writing and responding to letters from incarcerated people meant. But as I read and replied, it became clear: a letter is not just words on paper, it's a lifeline. Even the smallest steps in the process of responding to every letter we receive carry weight. Each one affirms to incarcerated individuals that they matter enough for us to listen. What stood out to me most was the richness of this organization and the passion of the people behind it. UnCommon Law is not only committed to guiding people through the parole process, but to restoring dignity in a system designed to strip it away. Being part of a team so deeply grounded in compassion revealed what justice work looks like when knowledge is driven with rigor and humanity. This work also gave me personal moments of connection, like reading Spanish non-client mail, which reminded me of translating documents for my parents. It highlighted how urgent it is to make legal processes accessible, trauma-informed, and human-centered. I leave this internship with renewed commitment to pursuing law with passion and purpose. I also want to give a special thank you to my fellow interns, Roberto Ibarra and Anyza Lemus, for always making the office feel fun and welcoming. You made every day brighter, and this experience truly memorable. Finally, I want to thank College Track, Emerson Collective, and UnCommon Law for giving me this incredible opportunity. One that shaped my summer and helped redefine my next steps as I prepare for law school applications.

Today marks the end of my invaluable experience with College Track’s 2025 Career Discovery Externship. I had the opportunity to visit five prestigious companies in the Bay Area: Deloitte, Emerson Collective, U.S. Bank, Goldman Sachs, and The Swig Company, to explore different career paths and learn about various companies. Through this externship, I gained insight into each company's unique culture, inspiration from many professionals’ career stories, and a better understanding of what career interests me. More importantly, I now know with confidence that a good work culture is characterized by a diverse range of identities, personalities, and roles that bring innovative ideas and drive change. I appreciate College Track and every professional for allowing me to explore careers and companies that I hadn’t considered before. A huge shout-out to Jillian Lyles, Lilly Brown, and Mohamed Barry for chaperoning and coordinating this event; it wouldn’t have been as smooth without your support.

As my internship with Canopy comes to an end, I’ve been reflecting on what an incredible 10 weeks it has been. Returning to Canopy after starting my journey here years ago as a Teen Urban Forester felt like a full circle moment. I am so grateful for the mentorship, encouragement, and trust I have received from the Canopy team. I also want to give a special thank you to Bless Romo and Karina Soria Mendoza for their guidance and support throughout my internship. The impact you all make in expanding tree equity and building healthier communities is something I deeply admire. Presenting our capstone projects this summer was an incredible experience. While I’ve had the pleasure of formally engaging with Shirley M. Collado, Ph.D. through various College Track events, it was especially motivating to hear her insights during our presentation and our lunch! It was also amazing to share space with Laurene Powell Jobs and present alongside and in front of such hardworking and inspiring individuals; an experience I will never forget. A huge thank you as well to Emerson Collective! And an even bigger thank you to Allison (Lipnick) Ghajar, Yasmeen Magaña, and Erika Sosa-Campos for presenting us with such amazing opportunities throughout the summer. The workshops and guest speakers challenged me to think in new ways, and I will carry those lessons forward. Even more than that, I am grateful for the countless friendships I have built over these 10 weeks, connections that made this experience both meaningful and unforgettable. I am leaving this internship not only with new skills and a deeper sense of purpose but also with the understanding that people, like trees, need nurturing environments to thrive and that change, like growth, often begins quietly 🤍🪴 #FirstGen #Familia #InternshipExperience #UrbanForestry