Since our inception, IECF has championed opening doors for students in the region. Through our scholarship programs, we help remove financial barriers and create pathways for students to reach their full potential. One of our valued partners, the Brothers of the Desert, supports Black gay men and their allies in pursuing higher education while fostering leadership, visibility, and community empowerment in the Coachella Valley through their scholarship fund. Together, we’re advancing equity and opportunity, recognizing that a supportive environment, both social and physical, is essential for every person to flourish. Brothers of the Desert scholarship recipient Jessie Parks understands that well. 
For Jessie Parks, his curiosity for urban planning began long before he knew the name of the field. Growing up in the Inland Empire, he watched warehouses rise across the region. He saw the impact those decisions, which increase air pollution and local traffic, had on the people who lived there. Those early experiences made him pay attention first to his neighborhood, then to environmental justice issues, and eventually to the systems that shape how communities grow.
Jessie’s educational journey took a few turns along the way. He started college out of state, but like many students during the height of the pandemic, he had to rethink his plans. He returned to California, enrolled in community college to manage tuition costs, and later transferred to UC Riverside. At UCR, he found a sense of direction and belonging, completing a Public Policy degree and joining Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Today, Jessie has taken the next step by beginning the Master of Urban Planning program at USC’s Price School of Public Policy, where he’ll focus on Climate Change and Sustainability Planning. His passion inspires him to bring accessible, equitable planning back to the community that raised him.
“I hope to stay rooted in the Inland Empire,” Jessie shared. “Ideally in Riverside, where most of my family and friends are.” Becoming a city planner would allow him to promote sustainable development shaped by the needs and voices of local residents.
Reaching this point hasn’t been easy. As a former foster youth who is Black, queer, and living with a disability, Jessie faced the significant challenge of navigating a schizophrenia diagnosis just months before transferring to UCR. The weight of that moment brought self-doubt. Nonetheless, he pushed forward with help from a strong support network of friends, mentors, fraternity brothers, and family who checked in, encouraged him, and reminded him that he belonged.
One person who played a significant role was Yassi Kavezade, an environmental justice organizer Jessie met in high school. Her mentorship helped him build early organizing skills and guided him through difficult moments. “She’s someone I can always lean on,” Jessie said.
Jessie learned about the IECF scholarship through foster youth support services during his time at UCR. Receiving this award provides meaningful financial relief as he navigates graduate school. “As a low-income student, this scholarship lifts a big burden,” he said. “It lets me focus on my studies and moves me closer to a goal I never imagined was possible back in high school.”
Outside the classroom, Jessie stays grounded through the things he loves. Spending time with friends, grabbing brunch or catching a movie, collecting vinyls, caring for his houseplants, and reading memoirs and political justice transcripts.
Looking ahead, he hopes to continue volunteering with organizations like the People’s Collective for Environmental Justice and the Sierra Club, combining professional planning work with grassroots advocacy.
Through every step, Jessie carries gratitude for the community that’s shaped him. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without them,” he said. “Their support is the reason I’m able to keep moving forward.”
IECF is proud to support Jessie Parks as he continues his journey toward building a healthier, more equitable future for the Inland Empire. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, over $29 million in grants and scholarships have given students across the Inland Empire the opportunity to pursue higher education. If you’d like to help shape a brighter future for the Inland Empire by supporting local students, our Charitable Giving Team is ready to help. Email giving@iegives.org to learn how you can create a lasting legacy.
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