ABOUT US
Our Mission
The mission of the Go for Yours Foundation is to provide the next generation of leaders with financial assistance, resources, and guidance to positively impact the world. Our three areas of focus are leadership development, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement.
Our Vision
Our vision is to help close the opportunity gap in the United States.
The Opportunity Gap
According to the Schott Foundation for Public Education, U.S. Department of Education data reveals that the opportunity gap is the greatest crisis facing America’s urban youth. When an opportunity gap is present, there is an unequal amount of resources available for young people living in and attending schools in low-income neighborhoods.
Our foundation’s programs and services are a direct response to the opportunity gap in the United States. We locate and identify high-achieving youth isolated from the resources to prepare them for personal and professional success. The Go for Yours Foundation steps in to offer a positive support system that will help our students avoid pitfalls and, as a result, help change the narrative of their life.
We are committed to addressing any barriers preventing talented youth from reaching their highest potential.
Impact
- $10,000 in scholarships
- 10 + Years Serving Communities
- Thousands of students impacted
Hear from our students
Our Team
Erika R. McCall, Founder/Executive Director
Erika McCall has been described as intelligent, diligent, and kind. Others say she is inspiring, energetic, and ambitious. What everyone can agree on is that Erika’s passion is encouraging others to live their best life. As a published author, speaker, entrepreneur, and thought leader, Erika does not shy away from challenges; she embraces them.
After earning a master’s degree and working a full-time job, she discovered that her path was meant to go in a nonconventional direction. She is the former Executive Director of Hollywood actor/author Hill Harper’s Manifest Your Destiny Foundation and has helped multiple celebrities and leaders with their nonprofit endeavors.
Erika’s debut publication, Go For Yours, has sold hundreds of thousands of copies and has been implemented in youth empowerment programs across the country. Writing Go For Yours challenged her to be a living example of the messages in her book. After meeting a young lady with aspirations to compete in the Olympics for swimming but couldn’t afford elite private swimming lessons, Erika knew she had to do more than encourage students to follow their dreams. She was determined to become a resource. Meeting so many talented youth lacking resources to succeed led to her creating the Go for Yours Foundation.
Honored by the Urban League’s Los Angeles Young Professionals in 2016, Erika was named one of the top nine people under 40 emerging in the field of business, academia, community enrichment, or creativity. She received the Michelle Obama Alumni Award at the Brown Girls Rock Awards from her alma mater, Northern Illinois University, where she received her master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education. One of her most notable achievements was a letter from First Lady Michelle Obama complimenting Go for Yours noting, “people can draw inspiration from the stories of courage, strength, and perseverance.”
Erika’s debut publication, Go For Yours, has sold hundreds of thousands of copies and has been implemented in youth empowerment programs across the country. Writing Go For Yours challenged her to be a living example of the messages in her book. After meeting a young lady with aspirations to compete in the Olympics for swimming but couldn’t afford elite private swimming lessons, Erika knew she had to do more than encourage students to follow their dreams. She was determined to become a resource. Meeting so many talented youth lacking resources to succeed led to her creating the Go for Yours Foundation.
Honored by the Urban League’s Los Angeles Young Professionals in 2016, Erika was named one of the top nine people under 40 emerging in the field of business, academia, community enrichment, or creativity. She received the Michelle Obama Alumni Award at the Brown Girls Rock Awards from her alma mater, Northern Illinois University, where she received her master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education. One of her most notable achievements was a letter from First Lady Michelle Obama complimenting Go for Yours noting, “people can draw inspiration from the stories of courage, strength, and perseverance.”
Jade Barnett, Program Coordinator
The Dream Experience is a youth development fellowship in Los Angeles, California, for students (ages 16-18) across the country. Upon selection, they participate in workshops and enrichment activities stemming from our three areas of focus—leadership development, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. Participants are exposed to mentors, information, and resources to help them develop as leaders in their field of choice. Travel, lodging, and food are provided free of charge to all students selected.
Board of Directors
Jarquetta Egeston (Chicago)
Justin Key (Los Angeles)
Ebonee Sawyer (New York)
Tiara Tucker (Dallas)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JarquettaEgeston (Chicago)
Chelsea Hayes (Los Angeles)
Michael McGrew (Los Angeles)
Ebonee Sawyer (New York)
Justin Key (Los Angeles)
Brandin Stephenson (Chicago)
Tiara Tucker (Dallas)
BRAND AMBASSADORS
Taylor Beard (Florida A&M)
Vanessa Ferguson (Florida A&M)
Donnavan Johnson (Jackson State University)
Kijana Roberts (Jackson State University)
Destynee Quinney (Jackson State University)
