Action Items

• Get Involved: Donate a prize to the Annual Holiday Raffle & Auction. Your donation is tax-deductible and supports year-round work-based learning for DC students.
  
  
• Celebrate the growing network of future-ready scholars. AEF welcomes students from the Academy of Sports Management and Marketing at Dunbar High School and Jackson-Reed High School.
  
  
• Explore AEF’s partnership with Ballou High School on a day trip to Virginia State University and Virginia Commonwealth University.
  
  
• AEF attends back to school nights, supports mock interviews and prepares for Advanced Intern placements. Learn more about the school year planning day with Academy directors. 

This school year, AEF is thrilled to welcome two new academies of sports marketing at Dunbar High School and Jackson-Reed High School. These additions mark an exciting expansion of our commitment to supporting DC students on their career and technical education (CTE) journey. 

In total, AEF now proudly serves nine high schools across Washington, DC and supports 14 academies in fields including Hospitality & Tourism, Culinary Arts, Mass Media and Sports Marketing.  

"I have enjoyed watching the academies grow with AEF! It was an honor when Brittany Anderson (AEF program manager) called me to share that they will expand their programs to include Sports Marketing. We need organizations to accept the challenge of building quality partnerships to produce the next generation of workforce leaders. Thank you, AEF, for your willingness to grow to impact more students in the DC community." 

-Tammy Lorenzo, NAF Director, Global Studies, JROTC and Sports Marketing Academies, Jackson-Reed High School

AEF hosted a trip on Sept. 30 to visit two colleges in the Richmond region with 45 Ballou High School students in the academies of Hospitality & Tourism, Culinary Arts and Mass Media.   

Students visited the School of Media and Communications at Virgina Commonwealth University and the School of Hospitality Management at Virginia State University. 

Thank you to our trip partner, USA Guided Tours, and both universities for leading engaging tours of their campuses for our students.

The AEF team met with Academy directors and partners to prepare for the school year. J’Nay Penn, associate creative director at DDC, previewed AEFs rebrand to NEXTDC. Rauf Shakir, CEO of USA Guided Tours, presented about his business. Leaders gave a breakdown of planned work-based learning events.

In September, AEF also visited various back-to-school and CTE nights to share with students and parents how they can get involved in field trips, internships and an active alumni network. Additionally, as students prepare for the year-round Advanced-Internship program, AEF visited Roosevelt High School and Maya Angelou Public Charter School to support mock interview sessions.  

Interested in volunteering for resume or interview preparation, as a guest speaker or supporting a field trip at your business?   

Save the Date for the Destination DC Member Holiday Celebration on Dec. 17 at The Square to benefit AEF, soon to be NEXTDC. Bring your holiday spirit for an unforgettable celebration in support of scholars and see Academy students in action as they support the event.  

You can give back by donating a prize to the raffle and silent auction this holiday season. Your tax-deductible contribution will support work-based learning programs for students.  

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