EXP Insider: At 23, EXP Continues to Unlock Doors for Youth...with Your Support!
Happy Birthday to Us!
On June 8, 1999, former Port of Los Angeles commissioner Carol Rowen had the first meeting with maritime industry leaders to establish an organization that would bridge the gap between the industry's need for a skilled workforce and local high schools’ struggle to graduate students. And, International Trade Education Programs, Inc. (ITEP) was born.
Here we are, 23 years later, after a rebrand to EXP in 2018! This opportunity engine is going strong, preparing our students for the future, working with educators to make learning real for their students, and connecting the industry to the community. Of course, we could not have done all of this without the support of friends like you.
Thank you for your continued support!
Partner Spotlight: Bank of America
We are humbled to be the recipient of a $25,000 grant from Bank of America that enables EXP to prepare the next generation of workforce through our programs, including career discovery events, mentorships, internship programs, and professional development for young adults.
EXP and Bank of America have worked together since 2008 to help unlock doors and create opportunities for high school students in Southern California. This partnership goes beyond financial support to include the contribution of time and talent through bank employees volunteering with EXP programs and local bank leadership serving on our board of directors.
For example, our incoming EXP board chair, Telebah Woods, is also Senior Vice President for Neighborhood Lending at Bank of America. She notes, “I am so honored to work for an organization that values the work I do with EXP and acknowledges the impact we’re making in our communities. Bank of America is thrilled to continue our support of EXP.”
Thank you for being our partner, Bank of America!
Volunteers Needed: Summer Bridge
The Los Angeles Unified School District's Linked Learning Summer Bridge Program is a 3-week program in partnership with EXP and the Center for Powerful Public Schools. This program helps incoming 9th-grade students make a successful transition into high school and introduces them to acquiring high-demand career skills.
We are looking for both in-person and virtual volunteers for the following:
Guest speakers on stress on the teenage brain and/or youth mental health
Mentors
Judges for student presentations
Participating schools are the following:
June 23 - July 15: Helen Bernstein High School, Hollywood
July 5 - July 22: Gage Middle School, Huntington Park
July 11 - July 22: Roybal LC Film & Television Magnet, Westlake
July 25 - August 5
Chatsworth Charter HS
Sylmar Biotech Health & Engineering Magnet
LA High School for the Arts @ RFK, Koreatown
Torres East LA
University Pathways, South Los Angeles
Time commitment is about 2 hours per day, either in-person or virtual. Each school has a different schedule and requirement. Please email your availability to our program coordinator Devyn Dupree at devyn@expfuture.org with the subject line "Summer Bridge" and we will keep you informed as we have more information from our partner schools!
And They’re Off! EXP Summer Internship Begins June 27!
They have been preparing for this moment since August 2021, and their moment is finally here! Yesterday, June 15, 95 high school juniors from 9 EXP-supported high schools interviewed with 34 organizations that will host them as an intern as the final part of the EXP Internship Program: Powered by Prologis.
EXP interns are in session for four weeks starting on Monday, June 27, through Friday, July 22. On Fridays, July 1, 8, and 15, interns will participate in a professional development workshop. This year-long journey concludes on July 22 with an in-person culmination event for students, participating internship hosts, supervisors, school administrators, and parents. Details TBA.
Special thanks to our program sponsors: Prologis, Port of Los Angeles, and Loyola Marymount University!
Thanks to our internship hosts!
ACTA – Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority
Barstow Police Department
Carson Chamber of Commerce
City of Barstow
Desert Ambulance
DLR Group - Architecture Engineering Planning Interiors
DoubleTree by Hilton Carson
Duthie Power
EXP
Fast Lane Transportation
GiveRiver Association
Interstate Personnel Services
Kaiser Permanente South Bay
Law Office of John Weber
Long Beach Blues Society
Los Angeles Maritime Institute
Los Angeles Metro
Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Marine Exchange of Southern California
McDonald's
Office of Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson
Port of Los Angeles
Ports America
Rock-it Global
San Pedro Meals on Wheels
Sheikh Impact
Studio 841
Synesthesia Boutique
Toberman Neighborhood Center
Valero Energy
Westcoast Warehousing
Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
Yusen Logistics
Yusen Terminals LLC
SPRING into Action: Activities Recap
EXP's Young Fellows Program finished its 2nd year with a program culmination celebration, its first in-person event, on April 28. Hosted at Gardena High School, the event featured testimonials from program participants and mentors, scholarship announcements, and a keynote address by Aksel Palacios, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Government Affairs, Youth Development Department, City of Los Angeles. This mentorship program for boys of color brought together 70 students from 13 high schools and 31 mentors over five mentorship workshops that nurture academic, career, and personal success through a social justice lens. View more photos on our Facebook page.
The following day, on April 29, 19 companies showcased their industry to more than 300 students at the inaugural Manuel Dominguez High School Spring Career Fair in Compton. Students discover career opportunities and explore employment options with representatives from a wide range of industry sectors from energy to transportation.
And of course, we wrapped up spring with EXP’s Oceans of Opportunity, the annual awards and scholarship celebration! The event returned in person on May 12 at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach. More than 250 partners, students, parents, educators, and alumni came together under the beautiful summer sky for the 22nd annual event to celebrate the achievements of our students and alumni and honor the dedication of our partners and volunteers.
EXP Staff Updates
WELCOME
Jessica Ureña, Director of Development
The newest addition to the EXP team, Jessica joined EXP in May. She is a native of East Los Angeles and a first-generation Latina. Jessica is a passionate philanthropy and social sector advocate, experienced in helping nonprofits build equitable and sustainable contributed income programs that positively impact their core mission. During the pandemic, she worked with minority restaurant owners, helping them connect with recovery resources to keep their businesses open.
Jessica holds a BA in Art History from USC as well as an MPA with an emphasis in nonprofit management from the USC Price School of Public Policy.
WELCOME
Devyn Dupree, Program Coordinator
Devyn joins EXP in April. Before EXP, she was the Social Impact Intern with SoLa Impact where she managed administrative tasks for its programs and supported student outreach efforts. Devyn is enjoying her work at EXP so far, assisting the Program team in delivering programs to provide youth in the communities with opportunities they would not have otherwise.
Devyn has a BA in Communication and Media Studies from California Baptist University and is currently working on her master's degree in Communication and Digital Media at Pace University.
PROMOTION
Oakley Boren, Director of Marketing
Oakley was promoted to Director of Marketing in May, on the morning of Oceans of Opportunity! Now in her fourth year with EXP, she first came to us as a consultant for the brand launch in August 2018 before joining the staff as a marketing manager in 2019, and was promoted to senior marketing manager in January 2022. She is excited to work on boosting EXP's visibility and produce on-brand marketing content and flawless events.
A Thai native and a proud nerd, Oakley has a BA in Communication and MA in Communication Management from USC Annenberg School for Communication.