Charting Careers May 2024 Scholarship and Awards Night (some scholarship recipients with CC staff and some of our scholarship donors). Charting Careers Executive Director Dr. Erin Snell, College Scholars Latajha Courtney, Imran Okedeyi, Joshua Tucker, Yasmin Lopez Escobar, Kalen Watts, Scholar and Program Assistant at local nonprofit Sarah “Saffi Ramallosa, Parole Rotarian Mike Roblyer, Parole Rotarian Gene Deems, Inner West Street Association Events Manager Audrey Lee, and Charting Careers Board President Richard Van Dyke.
When Kalen Watts enrolled in Charting Careers, a nonprofit organization that serves youth and families in the Annapolis area, she embarked on a transformative path that would shape the trajectory of her life. Not only does the organization help participants (or scholars) set and achieve their academic goals, but it also lays a solid foundation for personal growth and success.
“I became involved with Charting Careers during my senior year of high school,” says Watts, a freshman communications major at McDaniel College. “Before Charting Careers, I didn’t think college was an option for me. I grew up in poverty, so college was just another opportunity that I thought I would never have. Those within the organization helped me realize that college was always an option for me and taught me how to navigate the financial aspects of higher education, so I can thrive in my new environment. Without them, I would not be where I am right now.”
Originally a program of Box of Rain (amaritime.org/education-programs/box-of-rain), Charting Careers became its own nonprofit in 2018 and focuses on mentoring, education, family partnerships, and issues of equity. Currently, 72 scholars from second grade through college age are enrolled in the organization’s programs. By referring to participants with the empowering word “scholars,” Charting Careers demonstrates its belief in them and their capabilities.
“The founding of Charting Careers was a call to action sparked by awareness of the number of families in Annapolis impacted by poverty, the need for more social and emotional resources within our schools and community, and the lack of organizations to provide the depth of programming necessary for youth to overcome systemic challenges on their path to college and/or their career,” says Erin Snell, Ph.D., executive director of Charting Careers. “We wanted to ensure a brighter future for all of our scholars.”
Left: Latajha Courtney, UMBC sophomore; pictured in fall of her freshman year. Right: Charting Careers elementary scholars at the after-school program.
Inspiring Programs
Individual mentoring is one of the most important components of Charting Careers’ instructional programs. Mentors guide scholars and provide support, such as helping them establish goals, improve their schoolwork, and identify solutions to problems. These positive interactions boost scholars’ confidence and self-esteem.
Education programs are differentiated by grade level and designed to meet scholars’ developmental needs. These programs focus on life skills, tutoring, college and career readiness, relationship building, mental health, and other life-enriching experiences.
Charting Careers also provides family partnership programming to all scholars’ families/caregivers to provide personalized support and encouragement. Staff members conduct monthly check-ins to address their needs, provide resources, and overcome obstacles.
“Charting Careers is special because we work with our scholars in a holistic manner, focusing on the educational, emotional, and aspirational dimensions of the child,” says Richard Van Dyke, president of Charting Careers’ Board of Directors. “Our programs inspire youth and motivate them to succeed at each grade level, through graduation, and during college or trade school.”
Latajha Courtney speaks at the 2024 Scholarship and Awards Night.
Success Stories
Like Watts, Latajha Courtney attributes her academic success to Charting Careers. She became involved in the organization when she was a sophomore in high school and is currently a sophomore at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where she is majoring in biology and minoring in entrepreneurship.
“Summer and fall of 2023 were full of challenges that significantly impacted my academic performance,” Courtney explains. “My family experienced homelessness, and the lack of stable housing and the burden of knowing my mom and siblings at times didn’t know where they were going to eat or sleep made it incredibly difficult to focus on my academic studies. Charting Careers encouraged me to keep going and stay on top of my grades. Spring 2024 marked a turning point as my family secured stable housing. With this newfound stability, I began to implement strategies to improve my academic performance. I am very grateful to be a scholar in Charting Careers.”
Snell says several other scholars are also achieving their dream of attending college. Armani Queen, who received her associate degree from Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) last spring, started her own business, Sugar N Spice Pastries. Joniece Pitts and D’Asia Jones are in their senior year of college. (Pitts attends Towson University; Jones attends Elmira College in NY.) These three scholars, who were part of Charting Careers’ original cohort, grew up in low-income communities in Annapolis and are the first members of their families to attend college.
In addition, fifteen scholars currently attend various colleges, including AACC, McDaniel College, Lycoming College in PA, UMBC, Arcadia University in PA, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
“Charting Careers truly changes lives,” Snell says. “In 2024, we awarded more than $20,000 in scholarships to 15 scholars, and 100 percent of our high school seniors graduated with a post-high school plan in place. It brings me such joy to see our scholars set off on a transformative path and achieve their dreams.”
For more information about Charting Careers, visit chartingcareers.org.
Save The Date
Annapolis Middle School Career Day
Charting Careers, Annapolis Middle School (AMS), and Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation will host Career Day on March 13, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Members of the community from various professions are encouraged to register as volunteer guest speakers to share their personal career journeys with Annapolis youth—allowing them to explore potential career paths.
Speakers will have the opportunity to visit approximately three different classrooms and address the students for 10 minutes. To register, e-mail Terressa Brown, mentor and volunteer coordinator, at terressa@chartingcareers.org.
Want to nominate a local student? Email us at editor@whatsupmag.com
