Our Mission
LAUNCH Mentorship is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to foster a nurturing environment that empowers high school students from underserved communities, guiding them through their high school education and into their undergraduate studies. LAUNCH strives to bridge the gap in access to higher education, ensuring students from all backgrounds have equitable opportunities to explore, understand, and prepare for their journey through college.
Our Origin Story
LAUNCH Mentorship developed as an idea when co-founders Eric Licona and Fares Ali became frustrated at the resources and mentoring offered to them at their high school.
As Eric and Fares entered Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt University respectively, they saw the result of proper mentorship and resource allocation.
Many of their peers at their post-secondary institutions came from communities where they enjoyed an abundance of support and investment from their teachers/parents to help prepare them for the institutions they are at today. These are luxuries that many first-generation and low-income high school graduates do not always have access to. Armed with their knowledge and experiences, Fares and Eric set out to found LAUNCH Mentorship in 2020. The original LAUNCH team, peers from Vanderbilt University, began supporting the Nashville community with their first Nash Back to School Bash in 2021. While many of the original team have begun pursuing their own dreams, LAUNCH continues working tirelessly to positively impact Nashville youth through its programming and services.
Our Leadership
Our dedicated team and board are devoted to uplifting and empowering underserved communities. By utilizing our unique skills, passions, and experiences, we are shape the work of our Nonprofit Organization to best serve those who have been structurally disadvantaged. We will always strive to craft programs that reflect the demands of the communities that we serve.