Equity & Access with Bre Pressey

March 02, 2021 by Coach Training EDU

Equity & Access with Bre Pressey

Bre Pressey, CTEDU Certified Academic Coach, is committed to helping low-income students of color get the opportunity to receive a college education. 

She currently serves as the Executive Director of The Dr. Doretha Pressey Southern Scholars Initiative, Inc. Southern Scholars is a nonprofit scholarship and college completion program dedicated to creating access, equity, and success for students of color from low-income communities in the rural South. 

Commitment to Scholarship

Bre and her family founded Southern Scholars in 2019 to honor the legacy of her mother, Dr. Doretha Pressey – a passionate and determined educator who committed her life to generously helping those in need. Under Bre’s leadership, Southern Scholars has already awarded more than $60,000 in scholarships to four promising young people, and the organization will be welcoming an additional four Scholars later this spring.

Southern Scholar’s Initiative

Southern Scholar’s Initiative is dedicated to make sure a college education is accessible for everyone, especially those in underserved communities. Southern Scholars specifically focuses on Black students in the rural south because of the degree in which their access to education is disproportionately effected. Statistics show that college completion rates are about 20% lower than the national average for this population. Their goal is eliminate this disparity ensuring students have the financial, social and academic support to succeed. 

Bre’s Experience

Bre has nearly two decades of experience in nonprofit, education, and social impact work. Prior to founding Southern Scholars, she served as Program Coordinator for the Center for African, Black, and Caribbean Studies at Adelphi University, where she conceptualized and managed diversity programming for the promotion and awareness of student leaders of color, LGBTQIA+ students, and other multicultural and religious student groups. 

Bre began her career at the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. At the Schomburg, Bre first served as a Public Programs Coordinator and was quickly promoted to Manager of Special Events. 

Connect with Bre!

On Instagram: @southernscholarsinitiative

Online: www.southerscholarsinitiative.org

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