Kid Power

Every day, we have the privilege of working alongside young people as they learn and discover who they are. This month, we celebrate the young people, staff, and community members who bring their authentic selves to every aspect of their lives!

When young people feel they belong, they gain the confidence to pursue their goals and lead with purpose. Here's to working towards a future where every young person has the opportunity to be confident in who they are and hopeful about who they can become.

During BEAM Mentoring Program's Spring Break PowerUps, Kid Power Program Coordinator Angélica Viveré led protégés through a full entrepreneur workshop: building a business blueprint, developing a customer profile, and preparing a Shark Tank-style pitch. Then they delivered it live to a panel of DC business leaders:

🏛️ Michen Tah, Founder of Tah Law
🏡 Koki Adasi, Founder of Team Koki & Executive Vice President at Compass Real Estate
🔑 Donte Wade, Founder of CENTURY 21 New Millennium Real Estate

The panelists didn't go easy on them. They offered "glows and grows," asked tough follow-up questions, and wrapped with a Q&A that gave protégés a real window into what building something from the ground up actually requires. More than that, Michen, Donte, and Koki spoke honestly about what the entrepreneurial path looks like, including the grit, the pivots, and the possibilities, and made clear to every young person in the room that the time to start thinking about their future isn't someday. It's now.

Thank you, Michen, Donte, and Koki. Your time, your honesty, and your belief in our protégés sparked new ideas that may land one of these young people on Forbes 30 under 30. 💛

Last night, graduates, mentors, families, and staff gathered to celebrate an important milestone: high school graduation and the completion of our senior protégé's formal mentoring relationships through BEAM.

Throughout the evening, we reflected on the journeys that brought our seniors to this moment. We heard stories of personal growth, resilience, curiosity, and connection. We celebrated the mentors who showed up consistently, the families who supported every step of the way, and most importantly, the young people whose hard work and determination made this achievement possible.

To all of our graduates, thank you for allowing us to be part of your story. We are honored to celebrate this accomplishment with you and look forward to seeing all that you will achieve in the years ahead.

Congratulations, Class of 2026! 🎓💙

Meet the Match: Graduation Edition! 🎓

When Juliean first joined BEAM Mentoring, he didn't expect how meaningful the relationship with his mentor would become. Reflecting on the experience, he shared:

“After a while, you just see this person more as a family than like a stranger.”

Over the course of a year, Nick and Juliean built a relationship grounded in patience, encouragement, and mutual respect. Through life's challenges, career conversations, and everyday check-ins, they learned from one another and grew together.

As Juliean graduates and prepares for what's next, we celebrate not only his accomplishments, but the community of support that helped him along the way.

Congratulations, Juliean, and thank you, Nick, for investing your time, care, and commitment.

Meet the Match: Graduation Edition 🎓

As we celebrate the Class of 2026, we're proud to recognize Jaharie and his mentor, Jose.

When reflecting on their time together, Jaharie shared one of the biggest lessons he learned through mentoring: “There’s always some good in everything, regardless of the circumstances. And there’s always something to learn, too, in everything.”

For Jose, mentoring was just as transformative. Through years of conversations, shared experiences, and mutual learning, he watched Jaharie grow into a thoughtful, determined, and fearless young man ready for his next chapter.

Congratulations, Jaharie, on your graduation and your journey to college. Thank you, Jose, for investing your time, wisdom, and heart. This is what mentorship looks like.

Meet the Match: Graduation Edition! 🎓

This week we're celebrating our nine seniors and their incredible journeys. Today we're shining a light on AJ and the mentor who helped him get here — Adam.

When AJ's mom first told him about the program, he wasn't sure about it. But, he took a chance and over the past two years, AJ and Adam built something that felt less like a mentoring relationship and more like a genuine friendship; one where the conversation always picked right back up no matter how much time had passed.

From DC Defenders games to Wizards seats, to talks about stocks, school, and everything in between, AJ and Adam built a bond that will live on well beyond graduation.

Congratulations, AJ! 🎉

Meet the Match: Graduation Edition! 🎓

With graduation coming up this week, we're reflecting on our protégés' time in our mentoring program and the relationships they've cultivated with their mentors. Today we're honoring Damon and the mentor who showed up for him in all the right ways — Chris. 💛

When Damon first heard the word "mentor," he expected someone who would nag him like his parents. What he got instead was someone who got his jokes, kept him on task, and helped him navigate some of life's stickiest situations. Over the past year, Chris and Damon built a bond rooted in mutual respect, shared humor, and a genuine desire to see each other succeed.

While Damon's high school journey is coming to an end, the bond he's built with Chris will live on through their inside jokes! Congratulations, Damon! 🎉

Meet the Match: Graduation Edition! 🎓

With graduation coming up this week, we're reflecting on our protégés' time in our mentoring program and the relationships they've cultivated with their mentors.

When Angel first started in the program, she wasn't expecting to get close to her mentor. She wasn't expecting to open up. But that's exactly what happened, and it changed everything.
Together, Angel and Rohita have stepped outside their comfort zones by exploring new cuisines, successfully solving an escape room, and ice skating for the first time! All while building a bond that allows them to be themselves and show up for one another in real, tangible ways.

Congratulations, Angel! 🎉