Urban Students Empowered (US Empowered) is an innovative, Chicago-based college persistence program working to make college graduation possible for students across the city and beyond. As the nation's only teacher-led college persistence program, we identify and train highly effective teachers to lead students attending non-selective high schools in low-income communities to enroll in and graduate from college. In 2007, US Empowered served 30 students at three Chicago high schools and this year, we are working with nearly 1,000 students and 44 teachers in 20 high schools.

Each year we host our Graduation Gala to celebrate the achievements of our Fellows and Program Directors, and offer an opportunity for community leaders to learn more about US Empowered, meet our Fellows and pledge their support.

Our fourth annual Graduation Gala will be held on May 2, 2012 and we sincerely hope you will join us for a celebratory evening with members of the esteemed US Empowered Class of 2016 as they prepare to embark on their college journeys. We hope you can join us! 

"Because of US Empowered I have a different perspective on my education and my future because I know that there are people who believe in me and who really want to see me succeed."

-David, Class of 2015