2022 – 2023 Annual report
Annual Report
This past year has been a testament to the power of creativity, collaboration, and community. Together, we have enabled thousands of youth to build the skills they need to transform their lives, impacting so many in North Texas and thousands all over the country through Big Thought Institute. We are truly living our core value of providing audacious exceptional experiences that have life-changing effects.
Big Thought continues to push boundaries and innovate through transformative programs and powerful partnerships. I am grateful for your partnership and support on this journey, and I am excited to see what we will accomplish together this coming year. Together, we will continue to empower every young person to create their best lives and a better world.
Yours in service,
BYRON SANDERS
President & CEO
OUR BIG IMPACT
Big Thought’s programs do more than educate – they inspire a new generation of thinkers, doers, and changemakers. Through engaging hands-on activities, we inspire youth to think creatively, collaborate effectively, and develop the essential skills needed for success in a rapidly changing world.
Our Creative Solutions program is celebrating its 30th year. For three decades, Creative Solutions has worked with over 14,000 Dallas youth who have encountered the justice system. Through the power of creative exploration and trauma informed programs, youth learn to navigate the challenges they’ve faced, develop strategies for lasting positive change, and ultimately discover the greatness that lies within them.
Our Thriving Minds program continued to offer creative learning opportunities and support for youth and families during the school year and out of school.
Big Thought advocated for youth in local, state, and federal policies. Our youth actively participated, providing insights and testimony. The Community Action Team (CAT) focused on two bills aimed at increasing mental health resources for K-12 students. Our youth actively participated by providing insights and testimony, as well as went to the Capitol to engage in the legislative process.
…My daughter Vida loved [Big Thought’s] camp last year and has asked me all year round if she can be in it this year… When she joined… she was so happy! She felt seen and accepted. She had a life changing experience.
– Big Thought Caregiver
empowering youth vision
Guided by the powerful mantra “Nothing about us without us,” seven Big Thought youth leaders embarked on a journey to share their own narratives. Through an immersive apprenticeship program, in partnership with D Custom, these apprentices gained valuable skills in storytelling, journalism, and media production – all rooted in Big Thought’s ‘Creator Archetype’ framework.
The Creator Archetype represents the essential skills and competencies that youth need in our changing world, shaped by extensive research, 30+ years of outcomes, data and professional practice. This includes abilities like content creation and self-management – all of which were honed during the apprenticeship.
Everyone brought something unique to the table, contributing ideas, perspectives, and talents that blended to produce something truly remarkable. The result? Create Great Magazine, a showcase of youth perspectives and powerful creativity.
No matter what the program was about – if you were learning skills, if you were doing something – they always took time to teach you how to relate to others and how to relate to yourself, how to check in with yourself, how to empower yourself, and I think that was sort of the ‘it’ factor I had never experienced with other things.
– Ania Hodges, Big Thought Apprentice
This publication is more than a collection of stories. It is a reminder that when given the opportunity, youth can inspire, educate, and empower. It is a celebration of their voices and vision for a better world.
Convene for change
In 2023, we launched the DFW Opportunity Youth Community of Practice. Made possible through the generous support of the Walmart Foundation through the Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity, Big Thought connected 30+ organizations to reimagine systems and close opportunity gaps for youth in our community and beyond. With DFW ranking as the fourth largest population of Opportunity Youth in the US, this work is essential and urgently needed.
Big Thought strategically connected community stakeholders, civic offices and our local business sector to further amplify youth voice
and opportunity while building best practices and solutions that will have future impact across the nation.
– Kristina Cola, Senior
Director, Learning Systems
FROM OUR BOARD
Over the past year we have witnessed the remarkable impact of Big Thought’s work on youth in our communities. We take great pride in supporting initiatives that empower young people and foster the development of essential skills. We look forward to witnessing the ongoing growth of our programs, partnerships, community, and most importantly, our youth.
Youth at the center – that’s what makes us impactful, but also helps us to pivot and change. Those are our clients. Those are our customers. The future is our business.
– Vana Hammond,
Chair of Board of Directors
Big Thought Institute
Big Thought Institute (BTI) drives innovation and excellence in education by providing professional earning, consulting, design and evaluation services to all sectors intended in making positive change for youth.
- BTI engaged in more than 32 client projects across the nation, reaching over 100,000 youth and adults, and contributing to a cumulative total of over 700,000 impacted in the last few years.
- 11 clients have been supported by BTI in improving summer learning through the ADSY (Additional Days School Year) Decision 8. Additionally, 8 clients have also been assisted by BTI in the design and implementation of afterschool programs under the TCLAS (Texas COVID Learning Accelerations Supports Decision 11 initiative.
- Through planning, training, and technical assistance, BTI is supporting the transformation of a traditional elementary school in Edgewood ISD (San Antonio Texas) into an Arts Vanguard school focused on arts integration and social and emotional learning.
Youth Impacted
Youth Impacted
59,935
YOUTH SERVED
2.18M
LEARNING HOURS
Nearly 7 out of 10 youth in Big Thought Programs show
positive growth in their social
and emotional skills
2023 Financials
We are truly grateful to our many investors and stakeholders for powering our impact over the past year. Thank you for supporting Big Thought, our youth, our community and beyond.
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