Our Mission
"To empower youth, strengthen families, and revitalize neighborhoods through education, economic opportunity, and community-centered development — so that every person can thrive, regardless of their zip code."
Our Mission
Roots Forward exists to break cycles of poverty and inequity by investing in the people and places that have been overlooked for too long. We believe that when communities have the resources, skills, and spaces they need, they can solve their own challenges and build their own futures.
Our Vision
A world where every young person graduates high school ready for college or career, every adult who wants a living-wage job can get one, and every neighborhood has the spaces and resources its residents need to flourish. We won't stop until that vision is reality.
Our Core Values
Human Dignity
Every person we serve is treated with respect, compassion, and the belief that they have limitless potential.
Community-Led
We follow the lead of the communities we serve. Residents shape our programs, priorities, and direction.
Accountability
We are transparent with our finances, outcomes, and challenges. Trust is earned through honesty.
Collective Impact
No single organization can transform a community alone. We build coalitions and share resources.
How We Got Here
Founded
Dr. Angela Brooks starts Roots Forward with a $25,000 seed grant and a borrowed classroom, serving 12 students in the first after-school program.
Career Pathways Launches
Responding to community need after the recession, we launch our first job training cohort with 30 participants and 8 employer partners.
Community Spaces Initiative
We transform our first vacant lot into a community garden, sparking a movement that has now revitalized 12 spaces across 47 communities.
Pandemic Response
We pivot to virtual programming, distribute 500 laptops to students, and launch emergency food support serving 2,000 families.
Record Impact
Our most impactful year: 2,400 youth served, 850 adults trained, $3.2M raised, and 15,000 residents touched by our community spaces work.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Angela Brooks
Executive Director
Angela has 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and community development. She founded Roots Forward in 2008 after seeing firsthand the impact of educational inequity in her own neighborhood.
James Okafor
Chief Program Officer
James oversees all three program areas and brings expertise in workforce development from his previous roles at the Department of Labor and two national nonprofits.
Maria Santos
Director of Development
Maria leads fundraising and donor relations, having raised over $12M for nonprofits over her 15-year career. She is passionate about building authentic relationships with community supporters.
David Kim
Community Partnerships Director
David builds and maintains relationships with the 120+ employer partners and community organizations that make our programs possible.
Join Our Mission
Whether you give, volunteer, or simply spread the word — you are part of the Roots Forward family.