About Us
Our Mission
Project Breaking Barriers seeks to disrupt cycles of poverty by providing youth with immersive multi‑industry programming, mentorship, and strategic collaboration. We provide youth from single‐parent households, under‐represented, and under‐resourced communities with early career exposure, academic advancement, soft skill development, and
Project Breaking Barriers seeks to disrupt cycles of poverty by providing youth with immersive multi‑industry programming, mentorship, and strategic collaboration. We provide youth from single‐parent households, under‐represented, and under‐resourced communities with early career exposure, academic advancement, soft skill development, and a supportive network to thrive and grow into confident, prepared and impactful leaders.
Our Vision
We envision a future where every young person, regardless of resources or family structure, can pursue high-value, high-impact careers and step into leadership roles that advance social and economic equity through early career exposure and academic advancement.
Our Leadership Team
Founder, President & Executive Director
Academic Partnerships Director & Advisory Committee Co-Chair
Academic Partnerships Director & Advisory Committee Co-Chair
Lisa L. Skinner
Academic Partnerships Director & Advisory Committee Co-Chair
Academic Partnerships Director & Advisory Committee Co-Chair
Academic Partnerships Director & Advisory Committee Co-Chair
Felicia Drew, PhD Ed
Advisory Committee Chair
Academic Partnerships Director & Advisory Committee Co-Chair
HR Generalist & Youth Program Chair
Clifton Blevins II
HR Generalist & Youth Program Chair
HR Generalist & Youth Program Chair
Angel C. Scott (Howard University Graduate)
Youth Program Ambassador
Ashton Cortez - Bell
Project Breaking Barriers Organizational Mission & Background
Project Breaking Barriers is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded on the belief that access and opportunity should not depend on a young person’s zip code or household income. Our mission is to expand equitable career access for youth ages 13–20 from historically underrepresented, under-resourced, and single-parent households by providing mentorship, exposure, and the real-world tools necessary to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.
As we prepare to enter our second year, PBB continues to strengthen its network of partnerships with local educational institutions, corporate leaders, and community organizations. These collaborations enable meaningful, career-centered learning experiences that are both motivating and relevant. Our programs connect youth with professionals who not only represent success in diverse career pathways but also model leadership, resilience, and community commitment.
At the heart of PBB’s work is the conviction that representation matters, that when young people see themselves reflected in positions of influence and creativity, they begin to imagine greater possibilities for their own futures. Through consistent mentorship and exposure to inspiring role models, we help students build confidence, cultivate leadership skills, and develop a vision for success that extends beyond the classroom.
Inspiring Future Leaders
Empowerment through Mentorship
At Project Breaking Barriers, mentorship is a lifeline. We connect young people with mentors who see them, listen to them, and believe in what they’re capable of becoming. These aren’t surface-level connections, they’re real relationships built through honest conversation, immersive experiences, and opportunities like job shadowing that show students what’s possible beyond the classroom. Our mentors are industry experts who show up with more than advice, they bring their own journeys, setbacks, and breakthroughs to the table. They empower students to confront challenges, embrace their worth, and forge extraordinary paths they never knew existed. Every student deserves a direct link to their aspirations. We create that connection by immersing them in real industries, providing hands-on experience, and offering precise guidance. This direct engagement not only builds skills but fuels confidence, empowering them to seize opportunities and forge careers they once only imagined.
Hands-On Learning Workshops
Forget the sidelines, Project Breaking Barriers throws participants directly into the game, connecting them with the pulse of real industries. Our simulation programs are less about lessons and more about launchpads, where curiosity explodes into action. Here, they're not merely absorbing information; they're building actual projects, testing innovative ideas, and pitching bold solutions. Every challenge becomes a crucible, forging resilience and unveiling hidden talents. This direct engagement, coupled with dedicated mentorship, empowers them to discover their unique purpose, equipping them with the practical experience and profound self-belief to not just participate in the future, but to define it on their own terms.
Community Collaboration for Change
Collaboration isn’t just a strategy for us, it’s the heartbeat behind everything we do.
The power of connection is the ultimate force multiplier, the invisible energy driving every breakthrough. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the very pulse of our community: dynamic leaders, innovative local businesses, dedicated schools, compassionate religious groups, and mission-aligned organizations. By actively braiding our unique talents, leveraging our combined assets, and honoring the complexities of our shared histories, we are constructing something far more expansive than any single initiative. We are meticulously designing a ecosystem of consistent support and tailored opportunity, ensuring every student is met precisely at their point of need, then empowered to thrive. This is how we reshape destinies, together, one student at a time .
The Heart of Action: Our Volunteers
Volunteers are the undeniable soul of our mission. They are the selfless force that shows up, driven not by applause, but by a deep conviction in young people and the profound impact of our work. Whether they're mentoring, lending a hand at events, or simply being a steady, reliable presence, our volunteers are the catalysts who empower participants to gain confidence, discover their path, and forge genuine connections. Their true power isn't about knowing everything, but about their unconditional presence, their empathetic ear, their consistent commitment, and the silent reassurance that someone truly cares. When members of the community dedicate their time, they don't just participate; they become an indispensable force within our shared endeavor to construct something truly impactful and lasting.
This journey is one of deep exchange, where each person departs not as they came, but transformed by the connections and experiences they've shared.
Balance & Bravery: The Story Behind the Founder
Our Partners
