M&T Bank Awards Brave Enough To Fail $2,500 for BOSS Academy Program

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.

Learn more at www.BraveEnoughToFail.org

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Savings Bank of Danbury Awards $1,000 to Brave Enough To Fail’s BOSS Academy 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.

To learn more visit www.BraveEnoughToFail.org

2023 Person of Courage Award Gala was a huge success!

Two of BOSS Academy’s 2023 graduates.

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.

Thank you!

3M Corporation Awards Major Grant to Brave Enough To Fail’s BOSS Academy

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.

To learn more visit www.BraveEnoughToFail.org

FCCF awards $15,000 to Brave Enough To Fail towards expansion of BOSS Academy

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.

To learn more visit www.BraveEnoughToFail.org

Person of Courage Event Raises $10,000 for Brave Enough To Fail

From left, Steve Levy, Leora Levy, Wayne Winsley

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

I Have a Problem with Black History Month

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

Fox News & CBS News Radio Anchor Joins Brave Enough To Fail

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.

More information:

BETF B.O.S.S.

Ann Karrick

https://www.braveenoughtofail.org/ https://www.braveenoughtofail.org/boss-academy
Big dreams, Out of your comfort zone, Strategy for success, Stick to it http://www.annkarrick.com/

New Milford Living Magazine Features the Winsley Family

The founding family of Brave Enough To Fail was fortunate to be featured in the November issue of New Milford Living magazine. The article is below.

Special thanks to

Dan Olsen, publisher of New Milford Living Magazine

Janet Taub of Planet Photography

David Dunleavey

Learn more about Brave Enough To Fail

https://www.braveenoughtofail.org/

Boss Academy Inspires Students at Danbury Youth Services

Danbury Boss Academy Students show off their books, tee-shirts, & backpacks.

New Milford based nonprofit, Brave Enough To Fail has just wrapped up a very successful Boss Academy class for the great students at Danbury Youth Services.

Boss Academy equips students with motivation, tools, and techniques to literally take charge of their own destiny and be the boss of their dreams. Students learn how to set big goals, get out of their comfort zone, strategize for success, and develop perseverance to not give up on themselves.

Students also get firsthand career information and success tips from entrepreneurs and professionals like Fox News radio anchor Ann Karrick and Beardsley Zoo Education Director Jim Knox who spoke via ZOOM.

Danbury Youth Services Program Director, Michelli Anatolio said, “The students learned so much and they really loved the class, for many of them it was their favorite part of the week.”

The six-week course was provided as a summer program and made possible through the generosity of several businesses and foundations who stepped forward as sponsors, including

Service Stars of Danbury,

The Flood Law Firm,

iDaydream Studios,

The Japajag Foundation.

Brave Enough To Fail is a 501 (C) 3 nonprofit that combines motivational programming, educational resources, and financial aid to help students succeed in school and beyond.

For more information on becoming a sponsor, supporter, or to bring these programs to your students, vist our website.

https://www.braveenoughtofail.org/

Or contact us via email info@braveenoughtofail.org