Lynn, MA – May 1, 2020 – The KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) Foundation and the Sheryl Sandberg and Dave Goldberg Family Foundation (SGFF) announced Destin Fernandes is a 2020 recipient of the Dave Goldberg Scholarship. This KIPP Massachusetts student is among 15 recipients, selected from hundreds of applicants nationwide, who will receive $15,000 each year in financial assistance and mentorship throughout college.
“Dave was a huge believer in education, a generous mentor, and the center of a big-hearted community. We created this program to extend his legacy and nothing would have made him prouder,” said Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO and founder of LeanIn.Org and OptionB.Org. “These students share Dave’s best qualities – and we know they’ll go on to do great things for their communities and the world. We’re honored to partner with KIPP for a third year to ensure these talented students can make the most of every opportunity that comes their way.”
All 15 students in the 2020 cohort of Goldberg Scholars will receive a unique combination of financial support and mentorship during their four-year college experience. Highlights include:
- A “Goldberg Mentor” to provide advice and support on a regular basis throughout college
- Financial support totaling approximately $15,000 a year to cover a range of non-tuition needs not traditionally covered by college-based financial aid
- Support from “Goldberg Connectors” – a network of professionals who will help scholars secure summer internships and job opportunities
Destin Fernandes, a senior at KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate and incoming student at Stanford University, hopes to one day become a civil rights lawyer to advocate for those who need it the most and make a difference in society. He was part of the KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate slam poetry team, Indigo Society Poets, and together won ‘Louder Than a Bomb.’ He has also organized the ‘Be You’ Youth Pride Event for LGBT+ youth in his community.
“The Dave Goldberg Scholarship will allow me to navigate through college without the distractions of a financial burden. I will be able to study harder and participate in extracurriculars without the fear of being unable to pay for the next semester. This will allow me to maintain the best grades possible so that I can attend a prestigious law school in the future,” said Destin.
The 15 recipients of the Goldberg Scholarship have attended KIPP schools in eight communities: Baltimore, San Francisco Bay Area, Arkansas, Massachusetts, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Los Angeles/San Diego and Texas. Many will be the first in their families to attend college. Any student who attended a KIPP school for middle school or high school and earned above a 3.0 GPA was eligible to apply.
“The Goldberg Scholarship program has already proven to be a game changer. Today, in a world in which our students and families face even greater uncertainty and financial hardship, the Goldberg scholarship provides the financial supports and mentoring from successful professionals that will prove to be a life changer,” said Richard Barth, CEO of the KIPP Foundation.
The Goldberg Scholarship Program was established by SGFF in October 2017 to support graduating high school seniors from KIPP schools across the country who have demonstrated remarkable leadership and achievement. The scholarship honors the legacy of Dave Goldberg by supporting a new generation of leaders who have demonstrated Dave’s qualities of leadership, resilience, achievement, generosity, kindness, independent thinking and entrepreneurial spirit.
“Dave believed that people have the power to change their lives not only to better themselves but to help those around them,” said Rob Goldberg, Dave’s brother and Founder and CEO of Fresno. “He believed that if everyone was given an opportunity to do so, it could make the world a better place. It means so much to our family that Dave’s legacy is helping to improve the lives of these students. It’s an honor to be part of their journeys and to help empower them to become the next generation of leaders who will impact those around them.”
About the Sheryl Sandberg and Dave Goldberg Foundation
The Sheryl Sandberg & Dave Goldberg Family Foundation works to build a more equal and resilient world. SGFF brings people together to support each other through three key initiatives: LeanIn.Org, OptionB.Org, and the Dave Goldberg Scholarship Program.
About KIPP
KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of 242 public charter schools that are dedicated to preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life. KIPP schools are part of the free public school system and enrollment is open to all students. Started in 1994 as a middle school program, KIPP has since expanded to enroll students in all grades from pre-K through high school. Nationwide, KIPP students complete their bachelor’s degree at a rate comparable to the national average for all students and approximately three times higher than the average for students from low-income families.
About KIPP Massachusetts
KIPP Massachusetts is part of a non-profit network of college preparatory, public charter schools educating elementary, middle, and high school students. KIPP MA operates five public charter schools across Boston and Lynn, serving more than 2,000 students in grades K-12. KIPP MA has a 15-year track record of preparing students in educationally under-served communities for success in college and life.
