Big Thought

Our CEO Erin Offord had the opportunity to present at the Walmart Retail Opportunity Network Convening this week. She shared Big Thought’s approach to ecosystem building, our Creator Archetype skill-building framework, and moving systems—all focused on helping youth thrive and creating lasting change. The panel also included leaders from Responsible Business Initiative for Justice, SHRM Foundation, and YouthBuild Global, who are working to shape the future of work and opportunity.

We’re honored to be nominated for the COSIGN Magazine Nonprofit of the Year Award alongside partners and orgs who have such an impact in our community. There are still a few more days to cast your vote at https://bit.ly/408Owjs

Last week, we came together to welcome Erin Offord as our new CEO and honor Byron Sanders. The space was alive with art, poetry, music, and—most importantly—our friends and partners. We're excited for what’s to come under Erin’s leadership, building on the strategic foundation Byron established. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the event and to all who continue to support and share our mission.

We had an incredible day with Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation at the College Festival Turn Up! Youth explored their post-high school options – like colleges, trades, and entrepreneurship – and had fun at skill-building stations with gaming, music creation, and oil painting. Huge thanks to the advisors who sat down with youth to hear about their experiences and provide insight, and thanks to VMYDF for hosting an amazing day!

We're excited to collaborate with Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation on this opportunity for middle school and high school students. This free event will allow students and families to engage with colleges on-site and explore future career paths, helping to set them up for long-term success.

Ania, Angelica, and Dream represented Big Thought in Washington DC to speak on behalf of Opportunity Youth, advocating for legislators to join the Bipartisan Opportunity Youth Caucus and supporting the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which supports Opportunity Youth programs. We’re proud of this team and *all* the youth from across the country who came together. Let’s give them their flowers 💐⬇️

Celebrate a new chapter for Big Thought with a night of creativity, community, and inspiration. We’ll welcome our new CEO, Erin Offord, and honor Byron Sanders. Plus, we’ll enjoy interactive art, delicious food, and good company. RSVP at https://bit.ly/47HxZol to join us on October 10.

Our Big Thought Institute team is exhibiting at #txEDCON24 September 27-29 in San Antonio! Be sure to stop by and say hello in the Exhibit Hall at booth 1642. Learn more at tasa.tasb.org

Our CEO Erin Offord was recently featured in D CEO, where she shared about her background, her personal and family history of civic leadership, and her perspective on the future of Big Thought. Reflecting on the start of her journey with the organization over 20 years ago, Erin noted, "I felt like I was home. My work in Dallas wrapped up all of my values in the way that I could appreciate culture and support community." Thank you to D CEO for highlighting Erin’s story and her commitment to amplifying Big Thought's impact. Check out the article at https://bit.ly/47wi3oV

We’re excited and honored to join Education Reimagined's Learner-Centered Ecosystem Lab alongside 11 other communities! Over the next year, we’ll collaborate to reshape learning experiences, build community visions, address key equitable infrastructure challenges, and seek to build new systems to seize opportunities for learners within our community.