Students Receive 2023 Projects for Progress Grant

Taussia Boadi, C’24, and Cheryl Nnadi, C’24

The University’s Projects for Progress program, unveiled in June 2020 and overseen by Penn’s Office of Social Equity and Community (SEC), is growing with its third cohort of fund recipients, including two Penn Arts & Sciences College students. Interdisciplinary teams of faculty, staff, and students were awarded grants for their initiatives, which aim to help address systemic racism, promote educational equity, and reduce health disparities in Philadelphia.

“Projects for Progress was created during a challenging year as a way to encourage initiatives that advance the University’s aim of a more inclusive society,” says Penn President Liz Magill. “I am proud of the 2023 awardees, who will work alongside various communities in Philadelphia and use innovative Penn research to develop their initiatives.”

Each team receives up to $100,000 to support their projects, which needed to demonstrate strong potential for real-world impact. All awardees must begin their work within six months of being named a recipient.

“I can’t emphasize enough how much the SEC team appreciates everyone who has applied for the award over the past three years,” says Nicole Maloy, director of the Office of SEC, who is coordinating the initiative. “There are so many people at Penn who embrace the importance of playing an active role in the world, and this award is just one way to affirm that.”

Positioned for Success is an initiative aimed at providing academic support and enrichment, high school preparation, and mentoring services to middle school-aged students in Philadelphia who are in the child welfare system and have been affected by gun violence and/or parental incarceration. The goal is to increase their educational attainment and break the pattern of vulnerable Black youth entering the juvenile justice system. The team includes Taussia Boadi, C’24 (sociology); and Cheryl Nnadi, C’24 (criminology); along with Ariane Thomas of the Graduate School of Education.

To read the full announcement, click here.

 

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