Our innovators.
“As the organization is composed of a team of mentors from different industries, students will benefit from the knowledge and experience from their mentors and other professionals.”
The organization founded in 2019, PRIDE and Strive, Inc. consists of the following dedicated individuals serving our mentorship team:
Dr. Michael Bivins
“Growing up, one of the things I could have significantly benefited from was mentorship. Outside of my family, I did not have any guidance. Also, I grew up in a community that was considered financially illiterate. This organization would have helped me better prepare for the future. The basic financial education, support from mentors, and knowledge in other areas would have helped in my growth.”
- Founder, President of the Board of Directors / Mentor
Dr. Bivins has a passion for educating and inspiring people around him. With over ten years of professional work experience, Dr. Bivins has gained knowledge in different aspects of professional development. He graduated with a Sports Management degree from Delaware State University in 2009 and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Morgan State University in 2012. Michael also holds a Doctor of Education. The combination of education and work experience has prepared Michael for a bright future in helping others to succeed. He has mentored high school students in the Wilmington, Delaware, and New York City areas for the past few years. As helping others has become a passion of his, it has led him to the creation of PRIDE and Strive, Inc.
Yaw Boakye-Hwedie
“What Pride and Strive means is an opportunity to make an impact on the future generation of leaders coming after us… by passing along practical wisdom and ensuring the next generation has a chance to be successful in their lives or anything they pursue.”
- Treasurer, Board of Director / Mentor
Yaw Boakye-Hwedie is an alumnus of Delaware State University with a Bachelor of Science in Management and Masters of Business Administration from the University of Delaware. He is a proactive, diligent, results-oriented individual with a can-do attitude who understands the importance of developing strong client relationships. Yaw’s professional experience includes working with one of Delaware’s largest local banks at WSFS Bank as a credit risk analyst and as a fund accountant at the Bank of New York Mellon Group. His leadership experience and an excellent foundation in accounting and financial analysis are key elements that provide the essential foundation for his success. Yaw has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, tutored college students in advanced academic programs, and mentored college students through mentoring programs at Delaware State University and the University of Delaware.
Phoebe Acheampong-Quaye
“A lot of students end up navigating most of the college process by themselves or dependent on a guidance counselor who often suggests to ‘choose this or that’ without a real explanation. If we can show the youth that there’s more than one way to reach a goal and that they have so many options out there, it would make a huge impact.”
- Secretary, Board of Director / Mentor
Phoebe Acheampong-Quaye is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a minor in business and liberal Arts. Phoebe not only brings extensive leadership experience in communications, law, and business, but she also brings a passion for supporting those looking to make a positive impact in their communities. As early as middle school, Phoebe volunteered in and outside of the classroom with programs dedicated to youth assistance. Since then, her desire to continue to encourage and help the youth has only grown. Phoebe combines her career experience as a paralegal and business manager with assisting entrepreneurs in developing and marketing their companies into thriving staples in their neighborhoods. As a board member of PRIDE and Strive Inc., Phoebe is excited to expand further by teaching the youth how to develop new skills and help them find their voice as contributors and leaders in their communities.