Meet Ms. Raven
Get to Know Ms. Raven: World Traveler, Matcha Enthusiast, and EEYP's Program Manager!
Behind the scenes, keeping the Expose Excellence Youth Program running smoothly is Raven Forrester, the Program Manager with a background that includes... wait for it... Chuck E. Cheese! Yes, Raven's journey in youth development started at the Chuck E Cheese in the First Colony area. She continued her dedication through college internships, always aiming to be a good role model and introducing positive influences to youth.
Raven’s week is anything but ordinary, which is a huge plus for her. She loves that the team isn’t glued to their desks and computers. A typical school week involves being on a school campus for after school programming three days a week. Fridays usually involve outreach or trainings, while Monday can be seen as the most normal day of the week. And yes, they also often work on Saturdays. Clearly, this isn't your average 9-to-5 gig!
Ms. Raven and an EEYP student on Halloween
Ms. Raven’s favorite meme which is framed and displayed in her office.
Raven's approach to her work at the Expose Excellence Youth Program is indeed deeply personal. Her perspective is informed by her own experiences growing up and attending schools right here in Fort Bend County, including Meadows Elementary, Sugar Land Middle School, and Kempner High School. Many EEYP activities are things that she wish she had as a teenager, such as the free SAT tutoring. Her connection to the program's activities also extends to showcasing students' artwork, a practice she values because she herself remembers being awarded for her own artwork as a kid. This background, rooted in her local community experience, shapes her desire to provide these opportunities for the youth she now serves.
EEYP's impact is visible, and Raven points to the poetry contest as a great example of positive self-expression. She's seen talented student-poets use their writing skills for things like amazing essays for their scholarship application. When thinking about the future of Fort Bend County, Raven believes youth play a big role, especially through EEYP’s teen volunteer opportunities which provide a great way for them to gain pride in their community.
The biggest reward for Raven? Getting exciting emails about students’ accomplishments. Whether it's getting accepted into college or winning a track meet, she says their success brings her pure joy. She also gets an adrenaline rush when EEYP has a brand new program to execute, even if it causes a bit of stress, like the recent moot court competition.
Now for the fun stuff! If Raven could have any superpower to help the youth, she'd choose Mind-reading. Her reasoning? “Some teens do not know how to properly express themselves or communicate effectively. While EEYP helps with communication, mind-reading would obviously speed things up!” says Raven.
Perhaps most surprising? Despite her packed work schedule, Raven makes time for globe-trotting! She recently traveled to her 20th country and has even started learning Spanish on Duolingo to help with her adventures, hitting an impressive 365 day streak!
From the cheerful chaos of Chuck E. Cheese to leading EEYP, Raven brings a unique blend of passion, personal experience, and adventurous spirit to helping the youth of Fort Bend County shine!
