Ethnic Studies Yolo Organizational Leadership Opportunity
Funded by PSP
Project Lead:
Name: Melissa Moreno
Title: Program Co-Founder and Co-Director
Email: mmmorenophd@gmail.com
Phone: 530-400-0439
$66,300.00 for 3 years
The Ethnic Studies YOLO Academy, founded in 2021 in Davis, California, is a leadership and mentorship program aimed at supporting the development of youth in Native American and BIPOC communities. Through 1-day workshops, 2-day trainings, and a 3-5 day summer academy, the program focuses on building trust, teaching collaboration, promoting civic and cultural awareness, and encouraging wellness and agency for civic engagement. Aligned with the Sacramento K-16 Collaborative’s goals, it serves students of color, low-income students, rural students, and first-generation students, with a special focus on males of color. The program, co-led by educators, college students, alumni, and community members with a background in Ethnic Studies, is designed to increase academic success and cultural competency. With 98% effectiveness, the program helps retain students in high school and guide them to college.
Project Update:
Funded by the Priority Student Population Workgroup, the Ethnic Studies YOLO Academy received $66,300 for three years to support its expansion and impact. The project scaled from 20 participants in summer 2023 (without the K-16 Collaborative Grant) to 40 participants in summer 2024 (with the grant), with plans to reach 50-100 participants in summer 2025. The program has expanded from serving only the Davis Joint Unified School District to now including schools across Yolo, Solano, and Sacramento Counties, prioritizing those with high Hispanic enrollment. Efforts continue to develop targeted support for specific student populations as needed. In 2024, the program successfully completed a 3-day Summer Academy (June 26-28) with 30 student participants (10 male) in grades 6-16 and 12 consulting staff (4 male), providing exposure to 6 teachers (1 male) and 13 education professionals (4 male). Additionally, a 2-day Summer Leadership Training (June 24-25) was held for 12 students (grades 12-16) and 13 professionals (4 male), including professors, educators, a lawyer, a climate activist, and artists.
Learn more about YOLO Academy here.
