Inspiring Minds NYC

This Giving Tuesday, we aim to raise funds to support four impactful programs designed to engage youth during out-of-school hours—the highest-risk time of day. When school is out and parents are at work, it’s crucial to provide a safe, enriching space where young people can thrive and explore new opportunities.

With your support, we can offer programs like the IMconnected youth-led entrepreneurship initiative, and an inspiring exposure trip to Ghana! These programs give our youth a diverse range of options to discover their passions and build brighter futures. Check out the details below!

The IMconnected Summer Program, launched by our student interns in 2020, is an entrepreneurship program that empowers teens to design and lead initiatives that unite their peers and address pressing community issues. Since its inception, we’ve funded 38 teen-led pilot programs, including seven incredible projects this past summer! 

Now, we’re aiming to raise $15,000 to expand these pilots and support eight more in Summer 2026. Check out highlights of past programs and businesses created by our youth (click the title to watch the highlight video):

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  Rhythm of Unity (Founded by Arielle and Samia): Uses dance as a vehicle to build healthy relationships with teen girls!


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  Mental Hoops (Founded by Nate Huggins): Created and piloted a program that addresses mental health through basketball!


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  Survival Mode (Founded by Blanca Java): Participants learn how to respond to various emergencies!


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  Stars Workshop (Founded by Sam Alexander): A crochet program that creates a safe space for teens to address mental health!


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  Ball Bros, (Founded by Kevin and Kelvin): A mental health program for athletes, helping them navigate the stress of balancing athletics, academics, and social life.


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  Gloves Up Guns Down (Founded by Arnold Ludd): A boxing program tackling gun violence by providing youth with positive alternatives and life skills.

Exposure trip to Ghana!

Last Summer, we were fortunate to take 10 kids to S. Africa for a 10-day exposure trip! It was a life-changing experience for them and our goal is to take a 9-day trip with up to 10 kids to Ghana. Check out our highlights from last Summer!

Here's how you can support us:

-Volunteer to mentor a youth leader to start their program

-Invest in our youth by contributing financially to their program ideas

-Participate in their service projects once they kick off over the Summer!

-Share this campaign with others!

Your support will help us empower more young changemakers in 2025—let’s make it happen!

Who We Are

Inspiring Minds NYC (IMNYC) was founded in 2019 by Katrena Perou with the mission of providing culturally responsive programs to high school youth in Central Brooklyn. The IMNYC model is a ground-up model with leadership that currently lives in Central Brooklyn or has deep ties with the community. Services include Rites of Passage programs, Civic Engagement, College Tours, Youth Conference, and Paid Internships. Multiple stakeholders from the community are given the opportunity to connect with our youth through teaching workshops at one of our conferences, becoming mentors to students or volunteering at any of our events. Inspiring Minds partners and works collectively with 4 organizations from the community with the common goal of building a bridge between the youth and their village and providing culturally responsive programs.