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Breaking barriers: How this nonprofit helps Delaware students land well-paying jobs

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Breaking barriers: How this nonprofit helps Delaware students land well-paying jobs

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A well-documented pay gap exists across the nation, including in Delaware. The wage disparities disproportionately impact women and people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and have far-reaching consequences, perpetuating a multigenerational cycle of poverty and inequality.

Even those holding college degrees are not exempt from this reality. Government studies show that despite following the conventional path to success by pursuing higher education, many college graduates from underrepresented backgrounds often earn 70 cents or less for every dollar earned by their counterparts nationwide.

Braven, a national nonprofit new to Delaware, is offering a path to address the issue.

“We know the racial wealth gap in Wilmington is staggering,” says Kia Williams, executive director of Braven Delaware. “Too often, we see students who do everything right and still find themselves underpaid compared to their high-income peers.”

Through affiliations with post-secondary institutions, Braven connects first-generation college students, students from lower-income backgrounds and students of color with major corporations. The program prepares these students with the necessary skills and experiences needed to secure high-paying first jobs, ultimately working to reduce wage differences.

Launched at Delaware State University in 2023, the program is already improving outcomes, according to Braven administrators.

Work-based learning boosts career success

Numerous work-based education programs exist, each with varying levels of success. Braven’s curriculum emphasizes teaching students the importance of valuing their skills and leveraging relationships. Braven participants receive extensive mentorship from leaders at companies like Salesforce, Deloitte, NBA Foundation, LinkedIn, Adobe and Cisco.

“We teach students not just how to build networks but also how to ensure they’re remembered. It’s not just about who you know – it’s about who knows you back,” Williams said.

The program’s approach is supported by multiple studies that show undergraduates who complete work-based learning programs develop stronger professional networks, report greater career satisfaction and often outearn those without such experience. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 58% of adults who participated in work experience programs during their postsecondary education reported it helped them prepare for professional certifications or licenses.

Braven’s collaboration with Delaware State University began in 2023. Initially introduced as an elective for sophomores, the program is now a required part of the core coursework for nearly all sophomores, with exceptions for specialized majors like nursing and education that have established career paths.

This widespread access to the program’s resources ensures that students, regardless of their major, have the opportunity to cultivate skills that develop social capital and economic mobility.

Brandon Poplar voluntarily joined Braven’s inaugural program at Delaware State University during his sophomore year. Though not a first-generation college student, the junior-year student explained today’s professional landscape differs significantly from his father’s college days.

“I didn’t know what it looked like to be able to network with people effectively nor did I know the opportunities that were available for me,” Poplar said.

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A double major in law studies and finance, Poplar said by bridging the gap between higher education and career opportunities, Braven has helped ease the challenges faced by himself and many students from underrepresented backgrounds in their pursuit of a lucrative career.

“I feel like they are a life raft thrown in the sea of trying to find out where you fit professionally,” Poplar said.

The nonprofit’s leaders say the program is already showing promising results in Delaware. While national statistics reveal that only 48% of college students complete internships before graduation – with even lower rates for first-generation (41%), Black (36%), and Latino (39%) students – Braven participants are outpacing these numbers. More than 50% of Braven students secure internships during their sophomore year alone, with some completing multiple internships.

Corporate partnerships play key role in Braven’s program

Locally major companies such as Capital One and Barclays are also committed to supporting Braven’s mission. Together, they have invested approximately $1.5 million to help establish Braven’s presence in the Delaware. Capital One is dedicating about 75% of its local philanthropic budget to workforce development programs and initiatives.

Joe Westcott, vice president of operations and Delaware market president at Capital One, emphasized the program’s strategic importance.

“It really is kind of a philanthropic priority for us, but also, frankly, a business priority,” Westcott said during a Nov. 7 luncheon for Braven students and corporate partners.

The company’s investment will go beyond financial support. Westcott said part of Capital One’s commitment includes examining their hiring practices and creating pathways for internships and full-time employment opportunities for Braven participants, whether at Capital One or elsewhere.

You can contact Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.

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