Anthony Price
Wesleyan University
Anthony Price is a Government and American Studies double major with an inspiring talent for civic engagement and an admirable dedication to making our society more equitable. He is founder and executive director of Be The Change Venture, a Cleveland-based nonprofit that teaches young people networking skills to support their career development. At Wesleyan, Anthony has consistently sought opportunities to collaborate with peers and community members on projects with social impact, from organizing a pitch competition for local high school and college students to joining our Nonprofit Board Residency program. As someone who seeks out opportunities to improve his skills in building relationships across sectors and industries, Anthony has held internships with various organizations, ranging from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Office of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown. He also spent a full semester in Washington D.C. with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Emerging Leaders Program. After graduation, Anthony aspires to be a cross-sector change agent, focused in particular on low-income communities such as the one in which he grew up. He plans to become an attorney, using the power of the law and policy to address root causes of inequity in our society.
Personal Statement
I was raised by a single mother who went to school and worked full time, graduated from a low-performing school district, and lived in the fourth poorest city in the nation. The opportunity and chances for me to be successful were very slim. I have faced great adversity. I note this only to explain that these obstacles have made me more driven, passionate, and committed to making the world a better place for those who come after me.
Both urban and rural communities are largely overlooked and under-resourced, especially for young people ages 14-18. This limits their aspirations and their ability to envision themselves thriving in the professional workforce.
Four years ago, I decided I want to change this by creating Be The Change Venture 509 (a)(2), a nonprofit that serves young people in Ohio, Alabama, and Nebraska. Through a series of educational workshops, professional development coaching, and community events, we have provided nearly 1,000 young people a central space to learn and build meaningful relationships. And as a young nonprofit leader, I strive to continue building a meaningful pipeline that bridges the gap between potential and opportunity.
