Storytelling, Education & Social Justice with Richard Reyes ('12, CTSJ)

PLUS ME Project was launched by former Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) graduate, Richard Reyes, in July of 2013. While earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Critical Theory & Social Justice from Occidental College, he began sharing his journey of becoming the first in his family to attend college with local middle and high school students. After speaking to over 12,500 students from over 70 schools and conducting research in the nonprofit landscape of student-centered motivational speaking programs, the need was clear. A narrative-based outreach program to students could satisfy a great need in Los Angeles.

Richard trained a small group of relatable role models from the community and began visiting schools throughout the city to share their journeys of how they made it to and through college. After many presentations, he realized that although the students were inspired by the stories they heard - something was still missing. The students were lacking tools and resources that taught them how to self-reflect, build their confidence, and articulate their own resilient narratives.

Over seven years, PLUS ME developed a program model that has emerged us as an industry-leading organization known for helping students craft and articulate their own stories for college and career advancement. Since inception, PLUS ME has positively impacted the lives of over 100,000 students from over 300 underserved middle and high schools throughout Southern California.