Profiles
Pride Month Spotlight: Dana Hurley and AF Providence Elementary
For Dana, Pride Month does not stop on June 30th. To her, it is imperative that schools continuously raise awareness around current social justice issues that impact the communities we serve.
Alumni Spotlight: Jasmin’s Pursuit to Give Back
As a member of both AF Bridgeport Middle and AF Amistad High School’s first graduating classes, Jasmin created lasting memories during her time at Achievement First. Jasmin did it all.
Alumni Spotlight: Leslie’s Strive for Excellence
Leslie always remembered to ‘strive for excellence’ and worked incredibly hard to get where she is today.
Audubon Spotlight: Connie Sanchez Is at the Nexus of Everything
The Bird-Friendly Buildings program manager and Audubon Mid-Atlantic’s communications coordinator reflects on her conservation journey.
Audubon Spotlight: Lotem Taylor is Everywhere in Audubon
For a GIS and data analyst for Audubon’s Migratory Bird Initiative and Science team, placing yourself in context with your surroundings is what makes mapping so powerful.
Audubon Spotlight: Vero Couttee Uses Maps to Break the Cycle of Injustice
As Couttee approaches the end of her year-long Dangermond GIS fellowship, she plans to continue empowering local communities everywhere.
Josh Bellamy Started His Internship as a Student, but Left as a Teacher
Bellamy's sights are now set on influencing the next generation of conservation leaders.
Audubon Spotlight: Tykee James Builds Coalitions to Create Change
As Audubon's government affairs coordinator emerges as a leading voice for equity and inclusion, he reflects on the barometers of racial progress.
Audubon Spotlight: Katie Percy Is a Champion for Louisiana’s Ecosystems
As an avian biologist for Audubon Louisiana Katie Percy’s conscience guides the way while her passion drives the work.
Celebrating Identity Is Connected to Christine Lin's Relationship With the Land
Audubon's social media producer reflects on her relationship with the environment and embracing her identities.
Audubon Scientist Stanley Senner Recognized for Conservation Work
The award acknowledges Senner's lifelong dedication to preserving shorebirds and the places they need all across The Americas.
The Journey from Bird Enthusiast to Dedicated Bird Advocate
Mary Abrams turned her love of the outdoors into a life of conservation action.
News & Culture
Early Acceptance News: The Class of 2023 is Striving for Excellence
The Class of 2023 entered Achievement First as students. And in just a few months they will walk across the stage, with diplomas and new opportunities at hand, as graduates.
Going Forward: Congratulations to the Class of 2022!
Like the Class of 2021, this year’s batch of graduating seniors proved that anything is possible.
The Future is Present: Meet Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
We conclude Women’s History Month by celebrating a trailblazing, extraordinary Black woman who is ready to make change. Here are some things you need to know about Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Growing Stronger: Reflections on 2021
In some ways, 2021 delivered on the promise of “brighter days ahead.” And in others, 2021 was just as challenging. It was a time where we, again, looked ourselves in the mirror.
Celebrating Black Conservation Heroes at the Sharon Audubon Center
In honor of Black History Month, Sharon Audubon Center partnered with a local high school to inform visitors about conservation heroes of color.
Local Leaders Lead the Way at Virtual Advocacy Day
Chapter members and volunteers in North Carolina led the Audubon flock at their second-ever virtual advocacy day.
Audubon Flock Adapts Their Advocacy Efforts for (Virtual) Day at the Capital
Audubon North Carolina’s first-ever virtual Advocacy Day met advocates and lawmakers where they were.
Seabirds and Fisheries Get a Virtual Lift in Congress from Audubon Advocates
Part of a series of pieces on Audubon’s adapted advocacy and programming efforts in the age of COVID-19.
Not Sure What NBA Team to Cheer For? Here's our Birder's Guide to the Playoffs.
A fun service journalism piece on two of my favorite things: birds and basketball. This year’s playoffs coincided with fall bird migration - for those of us who are bird nerds and basketball fans, this was a BIG deal.
How Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month and Birds Intersect
A deep dive into how I appreciated birds during Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Sacrificing Some Skin to Save Some Birds
An event writeup on Audubon California’s Quill Festival - a day filled with important conservation discussions, good music, and killer bird ink.
Talking Birds and Climate Change With Both Sides of Capitol Hill
News story covering Audubon's latest science, Survival by Degrees: 389 Bird Species on the Brink and the organization’s day at ‘the Hill’ to talk climate change.
Events and Explainers
Pride Month and LGBTQIA+ Book List!
June is Pride Month! Books by and about the LGBTQIA+ community have a place on our shelves in June and every day of the year.
Back to Basics: Mental Health Awareness Month
At Achievement First, we know that navigating mental health during a global pandemic is no small task. Here are a few resources and organizations that offer services to help practice self-care.
Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with AF
During AAPI Heritage Month, we invite you to learn about the rich history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders!
Celebrate Earth Day with Your Young Stewards
Want to get your kids and students in on the Earth Day action? Here are some ways young stewards of the planet can conserve our shared home!
A Hero On and Off the Screen: Celebrating Chadwick Boseman
Throughout Black History Month, we are celebrating important figures in Black History and the scholars whose dreams they help make possible.
Ways to Stay Engaged With Learning on Spring Break
While your child hits the reset and rest buttons, they can also stay engaged with learning!
Audubon and ACC Campus Partnership Proves Climate Is Everyone’s Issue
Hand in hand, Audubon and American Conservation Coalition (ACC) Campus show how climate solutions are a unifying cause.
Hummingbirds Are at Home When We Plant Native Plants
Straight-up explainer on a recently published paper on Audubon’s Hummingbirds at Home program.
More Than 600 People Flocked to Milwaukee for the 2019 Audubon Convention
Event wrap-up piece on Audubon’s biennial gathering. The multi-day event featured a slew of keynote addresses, bird walks, and heaps of cheese curds.
Climate Advocates Show Up in Record Breaking Numbers for Lobby Day 2019
My first lobby day piece on Washington’s local advocacy efforts to push for 100 percent clean energy in the state.
‘Let’s Go Birding Together’ Creates a Dedicated Space for LGBTQ Bird Lovers
A reflection on my first bird walk and Audubon’s Let’s Go Birding Together series.
After 100 Years, Widespread Support Affirms the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
An explainer on one of the nation’s most important (and oldest) conservation laws - the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). In hindsight, there was no better way to start my ‘Audubon journey’ than with this deep-dive.
Telling Stories Through Graphic Designs
During my time at Achievement First, I had the opportunity to reimagine how the organization told stories and sculpt our digital presence. One way I did that is by working with Team Strategic Communications’ graphic designer, Amy Zheng, to tell ‘social media first stories.’ Together we paired our respective expertise: my copywriting and strategic storytelling with her graphic design background.
Videos
As a journalist and content creator it’s important to find innovative ways to tell stories and communicate an organization’s efforts - even if it means making cocktails…