“I made a promise to myself that I’d finish college, come home, and serve my community to make sure my story was not an exception.”
– Michael Lynch, Co-founder + CEO | Improve Your Tomorrow
Michael Lynch co-founded Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT) to ensure young men of color have the access and support to make college a reality. IYT provides scholars with tutoring, leadership training and college advising as part of a 12-year commitment of support and encouragement that starts in middle school and continues even after college graduation.
Their work, which started in Michael’s hometown of Stockton with one location, has expanded to 72 sites across California. IYT is now on-track to serve 6,000 students every single year by the end of 2024. Tipping Point was proud to support IYT in their expansion to the Bay Area, ensuring more young men of color, from Richmond to San Francisco, can head to college armed with support and filled with confidence to reach their graduation day.
“The “why” for us was clear; college creates the single best opportunity to achieve economic mobility.”
Michael is also part of our POC-Led Executive Fellowship, designed by and for leaders of color, to support their leadership trajectory and increase their organization’s impact. As part of the 2023-2024 cohort, Michael shares his expertise in the education space, and works with other leaders of color to support bold solutions to advance our collective mission to provide more opportunities for prosperity in the Bay Area.
“Tipping Point’s investment in leaders of color is transformative It’s helped me go after new funding, gain access to new networks, and expand IYT’s potential.”
Michael and Improve Your Tomorrow were highlighted at Tipping Point’s annual Breakfast on December 8, 2023. The Tipping Point Breakfast is an opportunity for our grantee community to share their exemplary work that builds a better Bay Area for us all. We are honored to share Michael’s story and highlight his success as a leader impacting the lives of thousands of young scholars each year. Learn more about Tipping Point’s impact, and view additional stories highlighted at the Breakfast, including from grantees Izzi Early Education and Opportunity Junction.
