It's not what you know, but who you know

In this day and age, the phrase, "It's not what you know, but who you know" is frequently what determines who is successful – who gets the promotion, who gets the internship, who gets selected for the scholarship. And while it may seem like those selected are either ridiculously lucky or ridiculously accomplished, most had people in their corner funneling them the tools for success.

How do you apply for a prestigious fellowship, a game-changing mentorship or an exclusive, all-expenses paid company tour if you don’t know that it exists?

T'kheya Yisrael addressing the Class of 2019 at Stony Brook University's 59th Annual Commencement Ceremony

For a lot of black and brown students and young professionals though, this is not the case. Many of us haven’t had the access to – or foresight to search for – mentors and professionals to advise us. How do you apply for a prestigious fellowship, a game-changing mentorship or an exclusive, all-expenses paid company tour if you don’t know that it exists? These opportunities seem to belong to an exclusive group of people with resumes as long CVS receipts – and it often feels like they have something that you don’t.

So many intelligent and talented young people simply lack the resources to excel.

That’s what I want to address and change with this website.

So many intelligent and talented young people simply lack the resources to excel. But I want to even the playing field by providing access to all the tools and opportunities that I can find. As you explore this website, know that whatever you want to do, you can achieve it – and remember to share it with those around you.

... know that whatever you want to do, you can achieve it – and remember to share it with those around you.

If it’s not what you know but who you know, now you know me and you're not in this alone. Please feel free to reach out to me with your questions and concerns.