Zanay Lignon’s view of school changed dramatically due to Root 2 Rise. She’s also much more confident, and now plans to teach or go to law school. See May 2025 newsletter.

Root 2 Rise was “an oasis ,a chance to interact with people who look like me — and for me to serve a purpose for my community,” said Armari Tucker, who attends Howard University, where he majors in economics with a minor in computer science. His goal: become a venture capitalist and serve the community. See the June 2024 newsletter.

“In Root 2 Rise, I felt my life had a purpose when I saw how the faces of the kids I helped would light up. High school was a very difficult time for me, and I remember how others helped me. Helping others is a personal  and philosophical goal for me.” See October 2024 newsletter.

He persevered through a “rough” childhood, and his ambition and eagerness to help others is strong. See July 2024 newsletter.

Once uninterested in classes and unlikely to graduate, Dietrich Swain is more confident and eventually wants to teach, even if it’s after he retires from another job in 20 years. See September 2024 newsletter.