Growing up in Philadelphia, I believed education was my path forward. Not optional, not a hobby—necessary. But I also knew that belief could feel fragile when the world outside the classroom seemed indifferent. Today, working in Baltimore, I see the same struggle in young people: the hope and the doubt coexisting in the same heartbeat. Many children look at school and wonder, Why bother? They see peers graduating yet struggling to find meaningful work, relatives in jobs unrelated to their degrees, and teachers stretched thin—too exhausted to show the way. For these children, education can feel disconnected from life, a series of tasks with no visible payoff.
For Black youth—and especially first-generation college graduates—education is not an option; it is a necessity. But necessity alone does not guarantee success. Many first-generation students navigate schooling without mentors or examples of how to translate their hard work into opportunity. They complete degrees, yet feel ill-equipped for the professional world (FirstGen Forward, 2024). Without guidance, exposure, and intentional career support, education risks becoming a cycle of effort without outcome.
The educators guiding these students face immense challenges themselves. Chronic underfunding, large class sizes, and limited institutional support have led to high rates of teacher burnout (Ingersoll, 2018). When teachers leave or are stretched too thin, students lose role models, consistent guidance, and the belief that someone is invested in their future. This reality disproportionately affects Black and first-generation students, reinforcing the perception that education may not matter.
In Baltimore City, the consequences are visible in workforce outcomes. Youth unemployment for residents ages 16–24 remains around 17.2%, with even more underemployed in roles that do not match their education (Baltimore’s Promise, 2025). The issue is not lack of talent—it is lack of access, guidance, and support.
Career readiness programs can bridge this gap. Through TB Resumes & Career Services, I work directly with youth to provide resume building, professional coaching, mentorship, and job readiness support. These programs help students see that education can matter, giving them exposure and guidance often missing in under-resourced classrooms. Even small interventions—teaching a student to craft a resume or prepare for a first interview—can change the trajectory of their life.
Investing in youth means showing them that education can lead somewhere. It means supporting teachers so they can remain present and inspired. It means pairing hard-earned degrees with guidance, mentorship, and real-world opportunities. Baltimore—and Philadelphia—have the talent, drive, and potential already in their youth. With intentional support, we can ensure that children who once questioned the value of school not only see the purpose of education but are empowered to turn it into meaningful success.
From Doubt to Promise: Empowering Our Youth Through Education
