Wayne Winsley, CEO BETF and Michael Pagano, M&T Bank Universal Banker
M&T Bank Foundation has awarded Brave Enough To Fail, a grant of $2,500 to support and expand it’s BOSS Academy Program.
BOSS Academy is a 12 session course that equips middle and high school students with the tools and resources to dream Big, get Out of their comfort zone, Strategize for success, and Stick to their goals.
Wayne Winsley, founder and CEO of Brave Enough To Fail said,
“We are so very thankful for the outstanding support of M&T Bank. They are making an investment in the future of our communities by sowing into the success of our youth.”
Lia Martino, of M&T Bank Foundation said,
“We are happy to support impactful nonprofits and programs like Brave Enough To Fail’s BOSS academy. Their work is truly inspiring students to achieve great things.”
The BOSS Academy course can be provided as an in-school elective, after school, or summer program.
Wayne Winsley, CEO Brave Enough To Fail, Gretchen Barbieri, Branch Relationship Manager Savings Bank of Danbury
Wayne Winsley, CEO Brave Enough To Fail, Gretchen Barbieri, Branch Relationship Manager Savings Bank of Danbury
Savings Bank of Danbury Foundation has awarded Brave Enough To Fail, a grant of $1,000 to support it’s BOSS Academy Program in the greater Danbury area.
BOSS Academy is a 12 session course that equips middle and high school students with the tools and resources to dream Big, get Out of their comfort zone, Strategize for success, and Stick to their goals.
Wayne Winsley, founder and CEO of Brave Enough To Fail said,
“ On behalf of the students we serve, I am thankful and honored to receive this generous grant. Savings Bank of Danbury continues to be an outstanding example of the corporate and nonprofit partnership that is vital to improving lives and building sustainable communities. They are directly investing in the success of the next generation and we are so very thankful for that.”
BOSS Academy, a 12-session course for middle and high schools designed to help students take charge and be the boss of their dreams.
Students receive instruction on time tested principles and best practices. We combine this with exposure to contemporary knowledge and experiential wisdom provided directly from successful professionals and entrepreneurs working in fields relevant to the dreams and goals of participating students.
The course is available as an elective or as an after school program or even a summer program.
Brave Enough To Fail named its 2023 Persons of Courage.
The honors went to long-time Stamford residents and philanthropists Mort and Eleanor Lowenthal.
The Lowenthal family plus April and Wayne Winsley
Also celebrated were two graduating seniors, Alex and Ivan Antropov, who were awarded the Leora and Steve Levy scholarship for leadership and entrepreneurship. The Levy’s were on hand to present the award.
From left, Steve Levy, Ivan Antropov, Alex Antropov, Leors Levy
Mikayla Hill, Brave Enough To Fail scholar and graduate of Western CT State University.
BOSS Academy students shared about their experiences with the program.
Allison Dubois, current Brave Enough To Fail scholar at Regent University.
Sadie Rae Winsley, Community Spokesperson, Brave Enough To Fail, served as master of ceremonies.
$11,000 was raised for BETF programs!
This beautiful evening was only possible because of your generous support.
Thank you to our sponsors and supporters!
Toni Boucher
Joel Brest
Andrew and Allyson Cowin
Joyce DiCamillo
Don Fertman
Scott and Icy Frantz
Martin Jacobson
Robert MacGuffie
Elizabeth McCaughey
Douglas and Christine Mitchell
Jeffrey Kile
Janet Olshansky
Dr. Robert Petrausch
Kristin Scianna
David and Rebecca West
Westchester Family Church
Special thank you to
And their alumni
Allyson Cowin
Kimberley Fiorello
Faith Ham
Janice Schaefer
George Skakel
Michael Williams
Shari Williams
It’s not too late!
You can still help!
If you missed the gala but still want to support our ongoing programs, please click the donate button give now.
3M Corporation’s charitable foundation has generously awarded Brave Enough To Fail, a grant of $2,500 to towards it’s BOSS Academy Program into the greater Waterbury area.
This marks the second consecutive year that 3M has supported Brave Enough To Fail not only financially but also with the volunteer efforts of employees.
Nazih Noujaim, a software engineering specialist at 3M-Health Information Systems has long been an outspoken advocate of Brave Enough To Fail and is also a mentor to students attending BOSS Academy.
BOSS Academy is a 12 session course that equips middle and high school students with the tools and resources to dream Big, get Out of their comfort zone, Strategize for success, and Stick to their goals.
Wayne Winsley, founder and CEO of Brave Enough To Fail said,
“ On behalf of the students we serve, I am thankful and honored to receive this generous grant. 3M is an outstanding example of the corporate and nonprofit partnership that is vital to improving lives and building sustainable communities. 3M is directly investing in the success of the next generation and we are so very thankful for that.
The BOSS Academy course can be provided as an in-school elective, after school, or summer program.
Fairfield County Community Foundation has awarded Brave Enough To Fail, a grant of $15,000 to expand it’s BOSS Academy Program into the Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Stamford areas.
BOSS Academy is a 12 session course that equips middle and high school students with the tools and resources to dream Big, get Out of their comfort zone, Strategize for success, and Stick to their goals.
Wayne Winsley, founder and CEO of Brave Enough To Fail said,
“Too often we stories of empty promises and broken commitments. So it’s vital to point those organizations and people of true integrity. Fairfield County’s Community Foundation is an organization committed to creating a positive impact, staffed by individuals of integrity. They said that if we put in the work and showed positive results, then they would support us. And that is exactly what happened. We are so grateful for this generous support.”
The BOSS Academy course can be provided as an in-school elective, after school, or summer program.
Greenwich resident and philanthropist Leora Levy was presented the Brave Enough To Fail Person of Courage Award. The event was held recently at Indian Harbor Yacht Club in Greenwich, CT.
Leora and her husband Steve, were both recognized for being among the very first supporters of Brave Enough To Fail when it was merely a concept back in 2013.
Several past scholarship winners provided a video tribute and thank-you message to Leora and other donors.
Scholarship recipient Linda Thatch, who is attending Yale University said,
“As a first-generation, low-income student, the Brave Enough To Fail message, perseverance through adversity, has been a constant help and inspiration as I work towards my goals.”
Robin Ebanks, a graduate of Brave Enough To Fail’s BOSS Academy program, spoke to attendees about the impact the program has made on her and the skills she learned including goal setting, networking, and effective communication.
The event also established the Leora and Steve Levy scholarship fund for next generation entrepreneurs and leaders which presented it’s first $1,000 scholarship to graduating senior, Rebecca Ebanks.
From left, Steve Levy, Rebecca Ebanks, Leora Levy
Award recipient Leora Levy said,
“It’s very rare to actually see the results of your support and see how it has changed lives. This organization is special and I’m so honored to be a part of it. Our children are our future and it is important that they succeed.”
The event which was help on Wednesday March 18th, raised over $10,000 for the nonprofit Brave Enough To Fail, which provides motivational programs, educational resources and scholarships to help students succeed in school and beyond.
If you could not attend the event but you’d like to contribute to the Leora and Steve Levy Scholarship fund for next generation entrepreneurs & leaders please donate here
Each February we celebrate Black History Month. We take time to point out some of the myriad contributions of African Americans throughout our nation’s history. We point to great people like Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, and Rosa Parks.
I do not have a problem with any of that.
The problem that I have with Black History month is that, in my opinion, we don’t hear enough about the great entrepreneurs like Madam C.J. Walker, who’s hair care business made her the world’s first self-made millionairess (Guinnessrecords.com), Robert Gordon, who amassed a fortune in the coal dealing industry, and Maggie L. Walker, the first black woman in the United States to charter a bank.
And when we do talk about them we tend to focus a lot on the fact that these great people made history and fail to highlight HOW they made history. HOW they were brave enough to risk failure in pursuit of an idea, a dream, or a passion. How they overcame poverty, prejudice, and adversity through a combination of education, perseverance, and hard work.
The three entrepreneurs I mention above faced a much higher level of opposition and adversity than exists today. Which has to mean that there is even greater opportunity to achieve great things than previously existed.
We need more entrepreneurs in the Black community. We need more entrepreneurs and self-starters across the board in all communities and those entrepreneurs need a free and open market in which to operate and pursue their dreams and ideas.
The great value of history is that we can learn from it. The great lesson that Black History lays out for us, if we choose to see it, is that it doesn’t matter what color your skin is, with drive, determination, and hard work you can achieve your dreams in America.
That is why, at Brave Enough To Fail, our mission is inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs, leaders, and achievers. Young men and women with the courage to pursue their dreams and persevere in the face of challenges.
Wayne Winsley is the founder and CEO of Brave Enough To Fail Inc. A nonprofit that provides motivational programming, educational resources and scholarships to help students succeed in school and beyond. http://www.BravEnoughToFail.org
CONTACT: Education, Non-Profit Wayne Winsley, CEO/Founder
wayne@braveenoughtofail.org
ANN KARRICK APPOINTED TO ADVISORY BOARD OF BETF
Fox News & CBS News Radio Anchor to serve as Media Relations Advisor
New Milford, Conn. – Ann Karrick joins the Advisory Board of Brave Enough To Fail (BETF), in the key role of Media Relations Advisor. Karrick is expected to bring her depth of experience in broadcasting, marketing, and communications to action, offering sound and impartial advice on matters related to news, media, and communications. Currently, Karrick is a network news anchor with Fox News Radio; she’s also known for her work with CBS News Radio in New York, Boston, and Hartford.
“Ann Karrick has a wealth of knowledge, experience, and relationships, earned through a long and storied broadcasting career. She also has business experience in marketing, public relations, media relations, social media, and information technology. Her business networking contacts, wise advice, and experience running a business and mentoring will be of great help to Brave Enough To Fail and B.O.S.S. Academy,” explained Wayne Winsley, CEO and Founder of BETF and B.O.S.S Academy.
Karrick excels at articulating and explaining complex issues. She is a news anchor, correspondent, and talk show host for both radio and television. Before broadcasting, she worked for IBM, AT&T, Golf Digest, and Advantage International (now Octagon), a sports marketing company, as well as public relations and advertising agencies. Karrick also regularly runs a voting location on election days, managing a team of poll workers. She is a Cum Laude graduate of Hollins University with a degree in Computational Sciences and has a certificate in Financial Management from the IBM Advanced Business Institute.
BETF is a student-focused educational nonprofit, providing free motivational programs, resources, and scholarships to middle and high school students. Our mission is to close achievement gaps by cultivating a new generation of leaders, creators, and achievers by inspiring young people with courage to pursue their dreams and giving them the skills for success. B.O.S.S. Academy teaches students to have Big dreams, be brave enough to work Outside their comfort zone, create a Strategy for success, and Stick to the pursuit.
Brave Enough To Fail’s BOSS Academy classes for Danbury, New Milford, and Litchfield received a major boost for the 2022 sessions thanks to a $5,000 grant from Union Savings Bank Foundation. The funds will go toward providing the, highly rated,12 session BOSS Academy course to students throughout the region.
Michele Bonvicini, Director of Community Relations said, “Brave Enough To Fail is truly making a difference in our local communities and we are proud to be a supporter.”
BETF CEO Wayne Winsley commented saying,
“Union Savings bank has been a major contributor to our programs since practically day one and we are eternally grateful for their continued support.”
Wayne Winsley, CEO Brave Enough To Fail & Michelle Bonvicini, Director of Community Relations Union Savings Bank
Brave Enough To Fail’s BOSS Academy is a 12-session course for middle and high schools designed to help students take charge and be the boss of their dreams. Students learn to:
Embrace big dreams
Get out of their comfort zone
Develop a strategy for success and
Stick to that goal.
The course is available as an elective or as an after school or summer program.
BOSS Academy equips students with practical and actionable tools and practices like strength analysis, goal-setting, time management, and effective communication. Tools that can be leveraged to achieve success in school and beyond. BOSS Academy also fosters development of the five core competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
Students also get to hear directly from successful entrepreneurs and professionals and learn how they overcame obstacles and became successful. You or your company can join Union Savings Bank and help inspire students, by contacting Wayne Winsley wayne@braveenoughtofail.org or pleasedonate directly here
Wayne Winsley, Founder and CEO of Brave Enough To Fail
I’ve been a middle school history teacher for the past nine years and have presented as a student motivational speaker at over 300 schools and colleges nationwide.
Based on first-hand knowledge, my fellow educators around the country are desperate for anything that will get more students to invest themselves in their own education, especially at the middle and high school levels.
The reality though, is that there isn’t a program out there that can make your child study is he or she flat out doesn’t want to.
Disillusioned, disengaged, and dispirited youth need a compelling reason why they should bother putting in the hard work necessary to achieve success in school and beyond. Especially in a world where they are being told over and over that they are either a perpetual victim or descendant of an epic villain.
By offering students a compelling reason to pursue excellence, I’ve been embracing a philosophy and strategy of CRT for years. Constantly Reaching Teens.
Constantly Reaching Teens to inspire them to pursue their dreams because each child is unique, priceless, and endowed by their creator with dreams and a destiny that only they can achieve, if they are brave enough to risk failure and pursue it and have the perseverance to stick with it.
Constantly Reaching Teens to remind them that America is still the land of opportunity where no matter your background, skin color, or circumstances you can achieve greatness through a combination of education, bravery, and determination.
Constantly Reaching Teens to let them know that their dreams are the future of America.
Each student that graduates from school with a strong sense of individual purpose, a belief in their freedom to pursue that purpose, and the courage to get after it and stay after it, will not only make their lives better but will also make our communities better and our nation stronger.
This is what I choose to dedicate the rest of my life towards because I am living proof that on a given day, a positive message can indeed change the trajectory of a child’s life. Brave Enough To Fail was founded as a vehicle to deliver that positive message and back it up with action.
The mission of Brave Enough To Fail is inspiring students, and providing them with educational resources, and financial aid to help students be more successful in school and beyond.
Since 2015 we have reached over 20,000 students and awarded over $60,000 in scholarships to help students attend college or trade school. Our BOSS Academy course has become a much sought after elective, after-school, and summer program.
Brave Enough To Fail has received requests for its services from schools and school districts spanning 26 states.
If you would like to help us to grow and inspire more students, I ask you to please make a donation of whatever you can by clicking the link below. and I thank you so much.
Brave Enough to Fail 