Jarian Kerekes, President of the Equitable Foundation, joins Mike Palmer on Trending in Education to share his personal and professional journey, highlighting the transformative power of education and the importance of finding one's passion. From his challenging upbringing in rural Virginia to his impactful work at the Equitable Foundation, Kerekes' story is one of resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to opening up higher education pathways for underserved students. Here's the link to NCAN also discussed in the episode.  

Kerekes discusses the Equitable Foundation's multifaceted approach to education, encompassing college and career readiness for students, support for K-12 educators, and initiatives aimed at fostering vibrant and healthy communities. He delves into the foundation's scholarship program, which has helped over 7,300 scholars access post-secondary education, with a particular focus on BIPOC and first-generation students. Throughout the episode, Kerekes provides valuable insights into the challenges facing education today, including rising costs, the need for better support systems, and the importance of social capital and networking in bridging students into successful careers.  

Key takeaways:

• Education is transformative: Kerekes emphasizes the power of education to change lives and create economic and social mobility, particularly for underserved students.  
• Finding your passion is key: Kerekes encourages students to find their "why" and pursue their passions to unlock their full potential.  
• Giving back is essential: Kerekes highlights the importance of community engagement and using one's voice and resources to make a difference.  

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Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:29 Jarian's Origin Story

02:09 Career Journey and Impact of Education

02:50 Equitable Foundation's Mission and Focus

04:58 Philanthropy and Community Engagement

06:07 Scholarship Programs and Higher Education

07:09 Challenges and Support in Higher Education

10:17 Volunteerism and Finding Your Why

12:36 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

14:44 Supporting First-Generation and Low-Income Students

22:59 Career Advice and Professional Development

29:09 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Source for Equitable’s distinction as the #1 provider of K-12 403(b) plans for 10 consecutive years: LIMAR, Not-for-Profit Survey, Q2 2024 results, based on 403(b) plan participants and contributions. Survey results include plans issued by Equitable Financial and Equitable America. Equitable is the brand name of the retirement and protection subsidiaries of Equitable Holdings, Inc., including Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (Equitable Financial), Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company of America (Equitable America), an AZ stock company with an administrative office in Charlotte, NC, issuers of insurance and annuity products and Equitable Distributors, LLC.

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