*ahem* Please excuse us while we reintroduce ourselves.
We go by KLJ Way, a.k.a the Kearns Louis-Jean way.
Since the start of KLJ Way in September 2018, we have come together with the community to achieve great things on behalf of Kearns legacy.
At the start of October, we began our first #KLJWayChallenge, to emphasize the importance of good health, and honoring those who have experienced loss due to breast cancer, the ones who have lost their lives to breast cancer, as well as the cancer survivors! Along with a passion for health and wellness, Kearns was also a strong advocate for giving back, and KLJ Way had the opportunity to, “Pay it Forward,” within our communities, in both Atlanta, GA and Boston, MA. So, within the first couple of months of KLJ Way, we managed to pursue the Kearns way with health and wellness and community service, but what else is the KLJ Way you ask.
EDUCATION!
On November 27, 2018, with the help of the KLJ Way community, we were able to fundraise $725.00 for scholarships on our first #GivingTuesday! Since the start of KLJ Way in September 2018, KLJ Way has fundraised over $3,000!
The mission of KLJ Way is to support people of color in an effort to increase racial and ethnic diversity within STEM. We work to do this by providing scholarships to those pursuing a degree in STEM.
WHAT we do?: KLJ Way provides scholarships to students of color who reside in Boston and neighboring cities and towns. Along with providing scholarships, we also participate in community service activities and various other volunteer work.
WHO we do it for? Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors of color that are pursuing a declared major in STEM.
WHY we do it? KLJ Way is an extension of the legacy that Kearns has left, and we esteem ourselves on upholding his many works that contributed to his great legacy. As Kearns has touched numerous lives for the better, we seek to do the same, not just for high school seniors, but our community as well. There is a large racial gap for people of color within the STEM field, and paying for college is half the battle, as many can attest to. In an effort to close the achievement gap, we seek to not just provide financial aid to this underrepresented group, but also foster a community of support and excellence.
WHERE? We currently award scholarships to students that reside in the following areas:
Brighton, Charlestown, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Milton, South Boston, Randolph, Roslindale, Roxbury, and West Roxbury. As KLJ Way continues to grow, we expect to expand this, and award scholarships all across the United States!
HOW do we achieve this mission?: None of what we do is possible without YOU! Every donation received provides a greater opportunity for KLJ Way to make the difference for more and more students. TOGETHER we work on closing the achievement gap, and creating racial equality within the field of STEM, academically and professionally. To make a donation, click HERE.
WHEN is our next fundraiser? The next KLJ Way fundraiser is Saturday, February 23, 2019! Click HERE to learn more about Game Night! Come out with your family and friends, we look forward to coming together for a great night of games and fun, and of course, being part of a needed change within STEM.