The Garret Livingston Graham (GLG) Science, Education, and Community Services Association is on a mission to promote, expand, and support increased completion of college preparatory courses among African-American students.
A recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation became a valued lifeline as the nonprofit hopes to further enhance the college journey of African American students.
“We want to bring them closer when they go to college—not just to get to college, but to become competitive when they’re in college,” said Jalani Bakari, President and Chair of GLG. “And the best way to do that is to prepare them with opportunities to understand or navigate their route.”
To that end, one of the activities the nonprofit recently hosted was the Academic Bowl, a popular event specifically designed to illuminate pathways to success in college and beyond.
“All but one or two people were male [at the event],” Bakari said. “We were literally trying to teach these young men to learn how to navigate not only education in itself, but to navigate and to share information of history and community activities with each other.
“These are young men who work in project impact, who will become teachers in our local schools, young men who are undergraduates in our local schools, and young men who are citizens, all between the ages of 18 and 32,” he added. “We we were able to use some of the grant funding to help our students, training them and working with them.”
Collectively, GLG’s members and board are seasoned servant leaders. One of the nonprofit’s main goals is to improve admissions competitiveness for majors in engineering, science, medicine, mathematics, and business administration.
Improving parents’ abilities to interact productively with various staff, representatives, and teachers within schools and districts attended by their own children is key.
Advocacy and equity also factor into the mix.
To that end, communicating and promoting African-American educational issues at the state, federal, and local levels of government becomes not only necessary but vital. This is yet another way the nonprofit can gain cooperation and commitment from public and private representatives to participate and support various programs implemented in the Inland Empire.
Ensuring vibrant and equitable participation in the area’s educational activities at all levels is yet another part of the nonprofit’s reach. This helps eliminate equity gaps that emerge on different levels in the African-American student experience.
“We value our deep exploration of knowledge,” Bakari said. “What I love most about being here is being able to actively share in our community—of growing it and planting the seeds of the future for our students
“It’s just incredible,” he added. “I appreciate doing activities that help students initiate things and help them begin to share in their skills or activities, whatever they are.”
Bakari directs individuals to the nonprofit’s website to peruse upcoming events and consider getting involved.
For instance, the nonprofit works in collaboration with the Pi Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., in various events such as food drives, clothes drives, and other service-related events benefitting the community.
And mark your calendars: The Sigma ETA Chapter 50th Anniversary Celebration takes place April 11 at the Grand Taj Event Center. Supporting the event helps GLG honor past contributions, highlight current impact, and inspire future programs in science for students others in underserved communities.
Mid-year connections also await. GLG’s summer flagship program, the Fatherhood Initiative Camp Out (FICO), Fishing Fest, & Garrett Livingston Graham STEM Camp begins Friday, July 17, and runs through July 19 at Lake Hemet Campground.
Learn more at glgscienceedu.org.
This story originally appeared in the Desert Sun, 2026.
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