When Emanuel Benitez first announced to his mother that he had received a full-ride scholarship to go to Columbia University, his mother broke down in tears. But, these were not tears of joy; instead, they were tears of fear. She thought her son was moving to Colombia, which was filled with news of violence at the time, instead of one of the top universities in the nation.
She had never dreamed of her child going to one of the nation’s most elite colleges due to their circumstances. But, through the Brewer Foundation’s Future Leaders Program, her son was now off to Columbia University.
The Brewer Foundation’s Future Leaders Program (FLP) emerged from an unexpected source: a legal case in the 1990s. When Brewer Storefront, the pro bono arm of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors, decided to represent Dallas Independent School District (DISD) employees in a case, they came across issues in education spread across South Dallas.
“They came across the inequities in southern Dallas regarding education,” Ian Shaw, President of the Brewer Foundation, said. “Out of that case and learning more about the education of Southern Dallas … the foundation was formed.”
Bill Brewer, the founder and chairman of the firm, partnered with previous Headmaster Arnie Holtberg and Hockaday’s previous Headmaster Elizabeth Lee to create a solution. St. Mark’s became one of the first private school partners in what would become a unique public-private education initiative, now serving 15 DISD partner campuses around Dallas.
What makes FLP unusual is its structure. Unlike typical educational partnerships, where one party provides funding while the other provides services, FLP operates at no cost to either party. Additionally, the program partners public and private education. Every Saturday, DISD students attend classes on private school campuses, taught by teams partnering a public school and private school teacher.
“Within each class is a public school teacher and a private school teacher,” Shaw said. “The instruction that a student at Lincoln High School would get when they’re in FLP is equivalent to what a student would get at St. Mark’s.”
Students are selected by campus liaisons based on strong academics and attendance, but Shaw also emphasizes flexibility.
“We also tell the teachers that if they have a student who may not be at a B average, maybe at a 79, 78 average but they’re special. They just need guidance,” Shaw said.
But, FLP’s curriculum extends far beyond standard academics. While students do take regular courses in mathematics and science, the program aims to build essential life skills overlooked in traditional public education.
“A lot of times high schools, and I’m a DISD product, you’re taught you have to pass the STAAR Test,” Shaw said. “You’ ve got to learn how to do your geometry and your algebra. Coupled with that, though, they forget that these other skills need to be formed.”
According to Shaw, the program aims to future leaders who know how to learn, lead with a voice, advocate on behalf of their stance and disagree with someone while being respectful. But in order to do that, the program had to expand the students’ education.
“A future leader isn’t just someone who gets A’s in school. Scholastic skills can only go so far,” Shaw said. “A future leader is someone who can be an advocate for themselves and for others.”
In addition to building leadership skills, the program aims to set its students up for success in their futures, to succeed in high school, college and eventually in the workforce. As a part of that, Al G. Hill, Jr. ’63 Director of College Counseling Veronica Pulido has been a part of the program since its inception 15 years ago. She works with FLP students in the same way she does with St. Mark’s students, helping to guide them through the college process.
“I think the ultimate goal is for students to find success and give them additional resources,” Pulido said. “Its about how can we help maintain and guide students from beginning to end.”
And the impact this program has can be seen in stories of its alumni, one being Efraín Vera. Growing up in a low-income single-mother household, Vera’s plan heading into highschool were to enter the service after graduating. But, after joining FLP, his path was drastically altered. With some influence from Pulido, Vera instead ended up applying for the Gates Scholarship, being accepted to NYU as a Gates Scholar, attending Albany Law School, and is now working on partner track at Reed Smith, one of the world’s largest law firms.
Benitez represents the current generation of FLP success stories. As a Questbridge scholar heading to Columbia with a full ride, he will be the first of his family to leave Dallas.
For Shaw, who grew up in Oak Cliff and graduated from David W. Carter High School, the program represents something larger than just success stories. Shaw’s personal connection to the program runs deep. After losing both parents senior year of high school, he worked through law school while maintaining ties with FLP. His biggest lesson learned was gratitude.
“I got lucky that I was one that got an opportunity,” Shaw said. “But there are kids who are just as smart, just as talented, if not more (who did not get this opportunity).”
As president, Shaw’s vision extends beyond Dallas. The foundation hopes to replicate the model in New York and become a national leader in education equity.
