Empowering Members to Build Wealth

An opportunity to unearth your potential and invest in your dreams

Highlights

OurMission

Fueled by the belief that talent is ubiquitous, the Academy Group unlocks opportunity for young people from the most resilient communities to realize their full potential as economic, educational and social change agents.

Our ultimate hope is to create a pipeline of young people with the ability to lead themselves, their families, and their communities.

Build Generational Wealth

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Graduating Debt-Free With The Opportunity Scholarship And Other Awards

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Preparing Our Members For Strong First Jobs and Careers

Our Core Program

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Our 14-year journey sets members up to build generational wealth.

Amplify is on a mission to close the racial wealth gap by equipping young adults with the skills, confidence, and networks to build generational wealth. We focus on 21 to 30 year olds in Chicago and Detroit who have taken a non-traditional path, experienced trauma, and/or have been justice-system involved - and are ready to unlock their limitless potential.

Building belief and agency

Build Careers

Build Wealth

The Amplify Program

Build Belief and Agency

Build Careers

Build Wealth

OurFundingModel

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The Academy Group has a self-sustainable and independent funding model that fuels opportunities for our members.

We invest in our portfolio companies

Return on Investments funds AG Programming

Portfolio companies meet and recruit talent

Members gain access to industry experts

We invest in our portfolio companies

Return on Investments funds AG Programming

Portfolio companies meet and recruit talent

Members gain access to industry experts

Our Impact

Since our launch in 2017, The Academy Group’s investment is seeing significant returns.

100%

AG members enroll in college.

Compared to the national average of 39%.

$67K

Average starting salary for AG college graduates.

Compared to $60k average, nationally for college graduates.

88%

AG members graduate college in 6 years.

Compared to the national average of 62%.

100%

AG Members graduate college debt-free.

Compared to the national average of $53k in loan debt for Black/African American students.

100%

AG members enroll in college. Compared to the national average of 39%.

$67K

Average starting salary for AG college graduates. Compared to $60k average, nationally for college graduates.

88%

AG members graduate college in 6 years. Compared to the national average of 62%.

100%

AG Members graduate college debt-free. Compared to the national average of $53k in loan debt for Black/African American students.

SuccessStories

Hear from our members and alumni

Elementary Entrepreneurs

Our Elementary Entrepreneurs launch student small businesses each summer. Through lemonade stands, food trucks, and pop-up art businesses, students learn business basics and entrepreneurial mindsets. Collectively, student businesses have earned over $25k, which is directly contributed to students’ college savings accounts.

Growing our Impact

Our program expanded to Boston and LA in 2023, and will continue to grow in 2025! Our pertinacious new members participated in an intensive Design Week, where they engaged in entrepreneurship experiences, built professionalism skills, and engaged with local leaders.

CFIP Interns

Helina, Joshua, Keyvaun, Malayah, Nyloni, Christopher and Kendall completed a transformative internship with our portfolio partner, CFIP. Students rotated through multiple roles in the company, learning about pathways to careers in finance.

Leading by Example

Iyanna, Chino, and Malcolm (AG'26) welcome 34 AG high school students on a personal guided tour of their campus at North Carolina A&T during the North Carolina National College Tour. On average, our members are exposed to roughly 40 higher education institutions through our program, and we are proud of our college members who pave the way for their high school peers.

LEADERSHIP

Meet our team

Shayne Evans

Founder, President

LaTonia Arnold

Chief Human Resources Officer

Arielle Johnson

Chief Talent Placement Officer

Iman Lindsay

Chief Strategy And Innovation Officer

Meet ourGame Changers

My kids are exposed to different people, different settings, and they get to see the world with a different set of eyes than you did. It has been a fabulous privilege to be a part of The Academy Group.

Mayeli Colmenero

PROUD PARENT

The biggest benefit from The Academy Group for me as a mom is that I don’t have to worry about how my son and my daughter will be able to go to college. They deserve to go–not based on finances.

Julia Garcia

PROUD PARENT

The Academy is not just a place where my daughters are thriving, It's also a place where I know there are people who will be right there professionally like another set of parents.

Houefa Lawal

PROUD PARENT

Blog

Read our recent news

April 7, 2025. Latest Blog

Wealth Building 101: How to Raise Financially Smart Children

In 2025, parents can set the tone for their kids’ financial success. Financial literacy is a skill that most people learn well into adulthood–but that does not need to be the case for your children. At the Academy Group, we recognize it’s never too early to start investing in your kid’s financial independence and helping

March 31, 2025. Latest Blog

Empowering the Next Generation: A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Partners

At The Academy Group (AG), we are deeply committed to unlocking opportunities for young people from resilient communities, helping them realize their full potential as economic, educational, and social change agents. Our progress is only made possible through the continued support of our incredible partners. Recent events like the LA Partner Mixer and our collaboration

GetInvolved

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The Academy Group.

Start your journey today! We want to hear from you.

Email : info@theacademygroup.com