As a mother of three teens, I learned the hard way that you have to "own" your student's college admissions process. School staff do not always guide ALL students through effective college plans that meet their needs, interests, or abilities. Working with thousands of youth and college students revealed an urgent need for COMPREHENSIVE COLLEGE COACHING that educates and equips our youth for the overwhelming navigation required to GET INTO & GRADUATE FROM higher education institutions.

Deana Ervin's Youth Leadership Development and College Access expertise comes from decades of experience through executive positions held in Educational Leadership & Community Development organizations:CEO of Childrens Defense Fund KC Freedom Schools (19 sites serving 2,000 youth and families and hiring 150+ Minority Collegiate Servant Leaders annually)National Senior Director Program Effectiveness, CampFire USAMissouri Coordinator, Kauffman Scholars College Prep Program (a $2B comprehensive multi-year program designed to help urban students prepare for and complete a college education)Regional HUD Community Builder & Director, Faith Based Initiatives Harvard University Executive Leadership ProgramHarvard University Community Builder Leadership ProgramU.S. White House Interagency Council Regional CoordinatorDetermined to make a difference in the achievement gaps and low college enrollment rates witnessedthroughout many communities, Deana Ervin launched Black & College Bound, a youth leadership development organization devoted to preparing urban youth and families in the areas of College & Career Readiness. Her doctoral research thoroughly explores college access for urban students of color and best practices designed to eradicate achievement gaps, while increasing minority graduation rates and self-efficacy (the belief in one's own ability to achieve tasks and set goals, while managing their future and transitions successfully).