BASTA

💥 Basta’s First-Gen Summit in partnership with Bloomberg Returned Bigger Than Ever! What a day! After six years, we partnered with Bloomberg to revive the First-Gen Summit, and the energy was incredible! This event was about more than exchanging business cards—it was about finding community and building a lasting support system. First-gen students and executives from leading industries gathered to share their career stories, forge genuine connections, and envision the future of work together. A tremendous thanks to all who made it possible: Vanessa Luna, Nancy Cutler, Kathleen McGevna, Perri Mingo, Etienne Vazquez, Giselle Abreu, Julia Freeland Fisher, Michael Collins, Latarria Coy, Jibreel Jalloh, Soré Agbaje, Keyshawn Wright, Winston Fisher, Alejandro Perez, emcees extraordinaire Harmony Gilliard, O'Neil Edwards, and our amazing team at Basta.  Nancy Cutler shared: "Bloomberg is thrilled to partner with Basta to revive the First-Gen Summit convening the incredible talent and drive that we've witnessed firsthand in First-Gen students and professionals."  As our founder Sheila Sarem put it perfectly: "First-Gen Summit is just a container for the brilliance that is happening. Today, we heard a handful of stories and there are thousands more." And wow, did that brilliance shine through! 💯 Real Talk & Real Impact Michael Collins dropped this gem about executive responsibility: "When you're bringing someone up on the elevator, don't make them wish they took the stairs."Let that sink in! It’s not just about opening doors; it’s about ensuring people feel welcomed and supported once they’re inside. 🤝  Leadership and Responsibility Winston Fisher shared: "The value of your life is measured by how much you are engaged, not by your consumption." He emphasized how first-gen talent doesn't merely join companies – they energize organizations and elevate performance across the board. ✨ From Surviving to Thriving Basta Alum Keyshawn Wright delivered an important message: “To the students in the room, … you can manifest these kinds of opportunities. You are capable of thriving and not just surviving.” His reminder to professionals: “Create that space for young professionals to be their authentic selves. First gen magic is a real thing, with untapped talent ready to make an impact. Check out the video below for a brief recap of First-Gen Summit 2024! Partner with us to build a workforce where first-gen talent thrives and leads. Connect with us today: https://lnkd.in/e3pxrna9 #Bloomberg #firstgensummit #Basta #FirstGenMagic #CareerEmpowerment #StudentSuccess #NetworkingForChange #Mentors #firstjob #work #careerdevelopment #networking

🚨 CALLING ALL BASTA ALUMNI! 🚨Help us champion Basta's national reach and impact in 2025! We're doubling down on building a national pipeline of First-Gen talent, and we need your support to connect with partners and recruiters looking for high-potential candidates like you. 🌟 You’ve been there. You’ve done it. You know what it takes to navigate your career and what employers are seeking. Now’s your chance to pay it forward by helping us lift the next generation of First-Gen leaders. Join us for our Alumni Share & Connect conversations: 🗓 January 15th | 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM OR 🗓 January 17th | 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM 💻 RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/darBvtWC ✨ No prep needed—just bring your ideas, energy, and passion to connect with fellow Basta alumni and make an impact!

🚀 Tech students, your moment starts NOW! 🚀 The Google Software Engineer Program (G-SWEP) application is officially LIVE today! Don’t wait—applications are open, and opportunities like this don’t last forever! Learn more and apply now: 👉 https://lnkd.in/e_vVMwNw Make today the first step toward your future in tech! #googlemagic #futureoftech #googleads #closethewealthgap, #knowledgeandinformation #firstgenmagic #techcareers #highered #CSmajors #Google #mentors #firstgen #engineering #codingcareers #HBCUs #MSIs #techcareers #computerscience

🌟 From First-Gen to First Choice: Strategies for Career Success 🌟 On average, just 2% of job applicants get called for an interview. Breaking into the workforce is tough, but it’s also a chance to stand out and grow. Discover how Basta alumni, Tasfiha Saba, Kenneth Guillont, Michelle Bautista, and Oscar Huang, turned challenges into opportunities and achieved career milestones. Dive into their inspiring stories and actionable advice in our latest blog. 👉 Read more: https://lnkd.in/ebKsx8xd #careertips #jobsearch #firstgenmagic

🚨 Students pursuing a career in tech - this one’s for you! 🚨 Applications for the Google Software Engineer Program (G-SWEP) open January 13 — so get ready to take your tech career to the next level! If accepted, you’ll gain access to  💡 10 weeks of 1:1 mentorship with Google Software Engineers 💻 Live, virtual career readiness workshops led by Basta 🎯 Expert coaching to ace your technical interviews Mark your calendars — January 13 is your day to apply! Find out more @ https://lnkd.in/e_vVMwNw

🌟 "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." This African proverb, shared by Basta Alum O'Neil Edwards at our First-Gen Summit hosted by Bloomberg, resonates as we take on 2025. While individual drive fuels success, courageous breakthroughs happen through collaboration. The person next to you might be your next mentor, partner, or champion. As we embrace this new year, let's build connections that transform careers and lives. Your tribe is waiting - who will you reach out to today? #bettertogether #community #careergrowth #firstgenmagic

As 2024 wraps up, we want to thank YOU—volunteers, donors, hiring managers, talent advocates, college advisors, alumni, higher ed and corporate leaders, and everyone who speaks Basta’s name in rooms we’re not in. You've made this year truly one of a kind. Let’s keep the momentum going! If you’re considering an end-of-year donation, we hope you'll invest in Basta today💙. https://lnkd.in/euvR2DD ✨ This year brought laughter, collaboration, and triumph. Check out our Year In Review video—hope you love it as much as we loved creating it! Share widely. #ThankYou #YearInReview #SocialCapital #collectiveaction

As we reconnect with family and friends, the holiday season is the perfect time to reflect on what truly matters. No chatbot—not even your AI boyfriend or girlfriend—can replace the power of genuine human connection. At Basta's First-Gen Summit hosted by Bloomberg, Julia Freeland Fisher shared an important truth: "As AI rises, human connections become both more valuable and more vulnerable." The labor market runs on warm intros 🔥 —something no bot can replicate. Stay human ❤️ —your next opportunity might start with a real conversation! Take time over the break to call someone or have a coffee chat in person. #stayhuman #networking #FirstGenSummit #bloomberg #CareerAdvice #HumanConnection #AI

🌟 #FirstJobFriday Spotlight 🌟 Meet Oscar Huang, a Baruch College junior majoring in Real Estate with a minor in Finance! 🎓 Starting Spring 2025, he’ll be taking a semester off to join Brown Brothers Harriman full-time as a Fund Order & Custody Co-op. This position allows him to ensure clients' assets are safe—work that plays to his strengths in organization, systems-thinking, and due diligence—while offering a hands-on opportunity to apply classroom knowledge, learn by doing, and build skills that will shape his career. Oscar credits his success to networking, leveraging career centers, and a mentor who introduced him to Basta. Through personalized 1:1 coaching sessions from Mohamed Barry and Alistair Scott, he grew from a nervous intern to a confident professional ready to tackle any challenge. “They were personalized and gave me a safe space to speak my mind and process everything from start to finish. I’m naturally anxious, and knowing I could reach out anytime made all the difference. Comparing myself now to my first internship, it’s night and day. I’m much more confident.” His career mantra: “The skills you gain are yours to keep. The first job is the hardest, but every experience builds on the last. Repeated effort pays off. Keep an open mind and believe in the work you’re putting in.” Let’s celebrate Oscar’s growth and cheer him on as he takes this exciting next step! 👏 #firstgenmagic #gapsemester #CareerGrowth #BastaWorks #RealEstate #Finance #careercoach #firstjobfriday

When we launched the first Basta Fellowship with just 12 young people, we could have never imagined the impact we’d create. Years later, hundreds of alumni are thriving in top companies, and thanks to champions like you, we’re now poised to help millions. With Seekr, our career navigation tool, and Discovery, its scalable companion, we’re not just changing lives today—we’re shaping futures for decades to come. But we can’t do it alone. Join us in empowering even more young people to land their first job and unlock their potential. Together, we can make it happen. https://lnkd.in/euvR2DD #BastaFellowship #Opportunity #CareerGrowth #GiveBack #YouthEmpowerment