Insights Into
GIVE & BTA
Graduates Involved in Valiant Efforts (GIVE) is a community outreach program of The Feiji Foundation; it will be developed to model the overall support BTA enjoyed during its formative years which enabled it to be the highly agile and effective organization it has proved itself to be. Since its inception in 1989 Black Teens for Advancement (BTA) has always been a student self-directed organization. The purpose of BTA was to stop black-on-black rivalries within the schools, in-between the schools, and within the communities of the schools - initially within the Atlanta Public School system, but also Fulton and DeKalb County Schools.
GIVE
It's great to hear that a Private Foundation is actively involved in giving back and supporting its local affiliates, GIVE (Graduates Involved in Valiant Efforts), BTA (Black Teens for Advancement), and more. Our President/Founder and CEO's connection to BTA as an original co-founder adds a meaningful personal touch to the philanthropic efforts.
BTA
Young black males became increasingly aware of other problems in their communities such as gang affiliation, juvenile delinquency, sexual promiscuity, and the illicit usage of drugs. Since black males were labeled an “endangered species”, BTA being self-aware and determined to defy the daily so-called self-fulfilling prophesies being pronounced on every news channel and outlet, BTA decided to concentrate their efforts on this group to circumvent the school-to-prison / school-to-graveyard pipeline. Over 14,000 students from 34 Georgia high schools have participated in BTA meetings and programs which have provided a platform for the issues facing their demographic, reducing violence, and improving academic standards. BTA is here to provide resources to those most at-risk and has built new collaborations with Favor Academy of Success Tutoring Center, Speaklife Organization, DIVAS Mentoring Program, Men of Westlake, and SMART (Sisters Motivating and Restoring Together), and many others. Not only has BTA assisted in feeding the homeless, and providing continued mentorship to the youth, but we are also planning many new BTA Chapters in conjunction with a youth jobs package with the assistance of the City of Atlanta and other key stakeholders across the globe. The Feiji Foundation was started by one of our very own Co-Founders, Feiji McKay who is forming strategic partnerships and collaborations with educators, innovators, content creators, civic & community leaders, humanitarians, private sector organizations, and a host of non-profit entities, in order to drive positive change and make a lasting impact in the lives of individuals and the communities we serve.
