Our CEO, Ricardo Neal, was recently featured on The Bond Project, where he shared the personal journey and mission that drive We Will All Rise. In the interview, Ricardo reflects on how his early experiences in Jamaica, community advocacy in Boston, and years inside Washington, D.C. schools shaped his commitment to educational justice and to creating pathways of opportunity for young men of color.

Rooted in witnessing both the transformative power of education and the harm caused when access is limited, Ricardo’s story underscores the values that guide our organization. His path spans decades of work ensuring communities have a voice, supporting students directly, and advancing systemic change that centers Black and Brown young men.

The Bondcast conversation also highlights the origins of We Will All Rise, founded in 2020 with the insights of six young men whose dreams and needs shaped every aspect of our programs. Through initiatives like the Free MIND Collective, I Can Teach, and the BELIEF Fellowship, we pair financial support with high-intensity mentoring, leadership development, and a commitment to honoring each scholar’s full humanity.

With national graduation rates for Black men at just 34 percent, our outcomes — over 80 percent graduation — demonstrate the power of holistic investment. Ricardo also speaks to the systemic barriers our young men face, from underfunded schools to harmful stereotypes, and emphasizes the importance of representation, partnership, and long-term community commitment.

His Bondcast interview closes with a call to action: investing in young men of color is nation-building work. We invite educators, funders, policymakers, and community members to learn more and join us in expanding opportunity and amplifying impact.

To dive deeper into Ricardo’s story and the vision behind our work, read the full Bondcast feature here: https://bondeducators.org/rising-together-why-representation-and-support-matter/