In May I took a road trip across North Carolina, and like any good journey, it offered more than just miles and meetings. It offered insight. In my role at StriveTogether, I’m fortunate to have opportunities to spend time in the 70 communities that make up the Cradle to Career Network. These communities are place-based…
Across the country, communities in the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network are working to put more young people on a path to economic mobility. StriveTogether’s seven cradle-to-career outcome areas are critical milestones that shape a child’s educational journey and future success. Each post in this series will provide an in-depth look at one of these…
At the 2024 Cradle to Career Network Convening, leaders from across the Cradle to Career Network shared valuable lessons about the power of data, community collaboration and sustained partnerships. These insights reflect the collective knowledge of communities working together to create lasting change for young people, from cradle to career. Here are five key takeaways:…
The 2024 Cradle to Career Network Convening opened with an inspiring keynote from StriveTogether president and CEO Jennifer Blatz, who reminded us of the movement’s audacious vision: to put 4 million more young people on the path to economic mobility. Her message emphasized the dual power of our collective action and the individual stories of…
The StriveTogether 2024 Cradle to Career Network Convening began with an inspiring address by president and CEO Jennifer Blatz, who reaffirmed StriveTogether’s ambitious vision: to put 4 million more young people on the path to economic mobility. Speaking to a room of hundreds of dedicated community leaders and partners, Blatz celebrated both the power of…
As we work toward our 2030 strategic plan to put 4 million more young people on a path to economic mobility, StriveTogether is collaborating with national policy partners to champion key initiatives. In the lead-up to our annual Cradle to Career Network Convening, we’ll be sharing insights and updates on our policy priorities for the…
As we work toward our 2030 strategic plan to put 4 million more young people on a path to economic mobility, StriveTogether is collaborating with national policy partners to champion key initiatives. In the lead-up to our annual Cradle to Career Convening, we’ll be sharing insights and updates on our policy priorities for the upcoming…
As inflation and economic inequity deepen, too many Americans face financial instability and diminished opportunities. But amid these uncertainties is a path forward with transformative potential: place-based solutions. Place-based partnerships are expanding across the country, fostering economic mobility and creating local solutions to address our most pressing challenges. Now, place-based solutions are gaining more national…
Five years ago, I wrote a blog post to explain the “Network Effect” — one of the primary roles that StriveTogether plays to help accelerate network member progress to put more young people on a path to economic mobility. As the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network has grown and advanced toward deeper systems transformation, it…
In the work to create stronger futures for kids and families, change often feels slow. We lay the groundwork for transformation that will impact generations to come. Patience is a daily practice. Sometimes, though, we get to celebrate monumental wins — defining successes that pave the way for significant progress. Earlier this month, I was…
This guest blog was written by Ryan Lugalia-Hollon, Ph.D., CEO at UP Partnership. To lead is to navigate tension. Performance under pressure is the essence of an executive director or CEO’s job description. Often that pressure comes from the need to make high-quality decisions that may initially thrill few people but will ultimately support as…
Do you believe the next generation will be better off? That was the question posed to us by Professor Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF), whose Annual Meeting takes place each year in Davos, Switzerland. Surrounded by the other changemakers before the event’s opening ceremonies, I contemplated the question. Professor Schwab asked…