EXP Insider: Valero’s $100K Grant Puts a Bow on EXP Fall Activities
Valero's $100K Grant Helps Fuel EXP's Opportunity Engine!
Last Wednesday evening, representatives from Valero surprised EXP's CEO Amy Grat with a $100,000 grant award to EXP as part of its annual Valero Wilmington Benefit for Children event.
EXP is among the six harbor area community organizations to receive an extremely generous contribution from Valero. This grant provides EXP with much-need funding to power our career education programs that currently benefit more than 6,300 local area high school youth.
The Valero Energy Foundation provides funding to a variety of nonprofit agencies for programs and services supporting education, basic human needs, health care and civic projects in communities where Valero has major operations. Through the overwhelming support of sponsors, the foundation’s signature programs, the Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children, generated more than $16 million in net proceeds in 2021 for charities across the United States.
"We’re driven to make a difference for our community,” said Mark Phair, Vice President and General Manager of the Valero Wilmington Refinery. “We’re proud to continue supporting these agencies and all they do to improve children’s lives in Los Angeles.”
"All of us at EXP are extremely grateful for Valero’s commitment to providing life-changing opportunities to youth in the Wilmington community," said Amy Grat, CEO, EXP. "We are proud to be a key partner of the Valero Benefit for Children."
EXP Event Recaps
EXP's Young Fellows Program sets records in attendance and volunteers for 2021-2022
We are off to a great start with the 2021-2022 EXP’s Young Fellows Program. With 87 students from 12 schools and 35 mentors, this is the largest class of participants for the program thus far! The orientation took place last week with Nason Buchanan, Founder & President, DMTL Non-Profit Organization, as the keynote speaker.
Special thanks to our founding program sponsor: Hancock and Julia Banning Educational Fund
We welcome this year's program host, Damarea Parker, who is the Center Supervisor for the Black Cultural Center at the University of Southern California (USC). With over 10+ years of experience in higher education, Damarea has served in multiple roles in student leadership and development, campus programs, engagement, and involvement at CSU Fullerton, CSU San Bernardino, Cal State LA, and SJSU.
We also would like to recognize our mentor partner Alpha Phi Alpha - Iota Zeta Lambda Chapter. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men. The Iota Zeta Lambda Chapter of the Fraternity has served Compton, Long Beach, and the surrounding South Bay communities for the past 53 years. Mentorship and youth leadership development are key priorities for the chapter’s members.
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This year, 500 students participated in the virtual GPS Your Future® Virtual Career Discovery Experience!
An estimated 500 high school students attended our 11th GPS Your Future® career discovery experience on November 5th, held online for the 2nd straight year. Students from across 10 EXP-supported high schools and 19 career pathways, as well as guest schools from Long Beach and Orange County, attended an exciting morning of career discovery in today's high-growth industries. They also received insight and guidance on what it takes to succeed in school, career and life.
The success of the virtual event is a result of the commitment and dedication of 25 volunteer speakers, 21 interactive session hosts, and 15 sponsors. We could not have done it without your support!
Special thanks to our lead event sponsors: Marathon Petroleum Company, Port of Los Angeles, and Prologis
EXP's Annual Benefit and Scholarship Award Celebration Heads to the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach
It is official! Mark your calendar for an evening of celebration and fun on Thursday, May 12th, when our industry and community friends, honorees, and scholarship students all come together for EXP's 22nd annual Oceans of Opportunity benefit event and scholarship celebration.
The celebration will take place in the beautiful surroundings of the sculpture garden at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach! Guests will be able to tour the museum and then enjoy a festive evening under the stars to support EXP’s youth-serving programs. We will honor our partners and volunteers and recognize the achievements of EXP students and alumni.
For ticket and sponsorship information, please contact Marilee Potthoff, director of development and marketing, EXP, at marilee@expfuture.org; or 562.473.9074.
EXP Board of Directors Update
Introducing Our New Vice Chair, Telebah Woods, Bank of America
We are proud to introduce our director and DEI Chair Telebah Woods as the new vice chair of our board of directors! Since joining the EXP board in July 2020, she has brought her passion for volunteerism, mentorship, and civic engagement, and belief in the power of positivity to make impact. We are grateful for her commitment to EXP!
Telebah was recently promoted to Senior Vice President, Neighborhood Lending, Business Development & Strategy at Bank of America.
EXP Welcomes New Board Member, Gerald Hofmann, Able Freight
Gerald Hofmann, Senior Vice President, Global Operations, Able Freight, is no stranger to EXP. A long time friend and supporter of the organization, Gerald is passionate about supporting the new generation and developing talent for the logistics industry.
EXP Staff Update
Charlie Trujillo Joins EXP as Our New Marketing and Development Coordinator
In the coming months, friends and supporters of EXP will be seeing and hearing from Charlie! Our newest member of the EXP team just joined us in early November. Charlie brings her sunny disposition and several years of non-profit marketing and development experience to EXP. We are happy to have her on our team!