FRIENDS supports student achievement opportunities to participate in local and national programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM), college tours, cultural immersion, and leadership development. This summer, donors made $40,000 worth of investments for students to attend enrichment and exposure experiences at 15 universities on 3 different continents.

Each young man returned to school with an eagerness to share his invaluable experience with his fellow brothers. BOMLA brothers spent 1-8 weeks at the following programs:

Council of International Educational Exchange – Lisbon, Portugal

Council of International Educational Exchange – Building a Sustainable City Beijing, China

Dartmouth College Debate Program

STEM iD at Southern Methodist University

University of North Texas Jazz Workshop

Texas Christian University Choir Camp

University of Houston Choir Camp

STEM PREP at University of Washington

Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church College Tour: University of Alabama, Miles College, Clark Atlanta University,

Morehouse College, Georgia State, Auburn University, Alabama State, Talladega University, Tuskegee University

“At the University of Washington, I gained an invaluable experience with an internship along undergraduates at UW and under prominent scientists in the science of pathology. I had the ability to conduct my own research,and give a 10 minute oral presentation on what I discovered to a group of scientists at the University of Washington. This program was a great opportunity for minority students like myself to excel in gaining an experience in the medical field at a young age, and many graduates of this program have found professional opportunities after finishing college. This experience has helped me academically because it allowed me to earn a hands on experience with science that I would not normally be able to attain in a normal high school setting. “ – Brother Cale Watkins

Brother Thomas Lee traveled in China to study how to build a sustainable city. His words perfectly capture the accounts of all the young men able to travel because of donors.

“This experience has really opened my eyes up and showed me what I can do with my education. The amount of people and experiences I have learned on this trip have been phenomenal and they are worth a lifetime of remembering. The experiences and the gifts that have been given to me on this trip I will never forget. Thank you to the Friends of BOMLA for making this experience possible.”  – Brother Thomas Lee, “Building a Sustainable City, China”

Thank you to the following donors who made these transformative experiences happen: Eugene McDermott Foundation; Kelvin and Jessica Beachum; Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee; and Art & Gwen George.

If you’re interested in sponsoring similar transformative experiences for the young men at Obama Academy, please contact Kezia at kezia@bomlafriends.org.