Emory University
Nonprofit & Social Services
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Emory University
Ben sought out leadership experiences as an undergrad, co-chairing the university's AIDS Quilt on the Quad event, working with the Emory's Make-A-Wish Foundation, and singing in Emory's all-male a cappella group No Strings Attached.
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Teach For America: Metro Atlanta Corps
After graduating from Emory University, Ben taught high school math for two years in Atlanta.
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Next Generation Men & Women
Ben co-founded Next Generation Men & Women along with two other Teach For America corps members during his second year in the classroom. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that all students are able to seize the opportunities life has to offer by exposing them to experiences, mentorship, and support structures to prepare them for college and careers. Starting with 12 students, the program has expanded over five years and now serves nearly 200 students across the city.
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Advisory Board Member, Atlanta Beltline
Ben was selected to serve on the advisory board for the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, joining a select group of community and business leaders involved with the most comprehensive transportation and economic development effort ever undertaken in the City of Atlanta.
Q&A
What were some of the major lessons you learned during the corps?
I was changed by the corps experience both personally and professionally. It really taught me how to have a strong work ethic, and how valuable relationships are among coworkers, administrators, and anyone you are working with. When I encountered an issue at the school, I had a whole support team that I could go to.
How has the TFA network come into play with your career arc?
The Teach For America network is huge. It's what allowed me and my co-founders to start our nonprofit five years ago. At the time we were just three guys with an idea and we needed support. The first people we looked to were Teach For America—both our friends in the corps, the staff, and different supporters. Even now that we've grown in scale, our largest network of support is Teach For America.
What’s one big takeaway from your corps experience that you’ve carried with you?
When you teach 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students, it’s the end of that high school experience. You get to see that tangible transformation where a student comes in and isn’t thinking about college—and here they are eight months later, graduating, accepted to a school and going to college. I felt lucky that I was able to teach older students and see that impact firsthand.