The great-granddaughter of Booker T. Washington (former slave, turned famous educator and founder of Tuskegee University), Sarah O'Neal Rush, aka Sarah Washington O’Neal Rush, is the founder and Executive Director of BTWEN, a nonprofit organization developed to carry on the legacy of her great-grandfather. Ms. Rush founded BTWEN to help disadvantaged youth and their families rise above difficult circumstances so that they can return to their communities creating change as leaders, mentors, and role models. Through speeches, discussions, book readings, workshops, life coaching, case management, and mentoring, BTWEN. espouses the teachings of Booker T. Washington on personal responsibility, excellence, education, leadership, and character building. Among B.T.W.E.N.’s extremely talented Board of Directors is another direct descendant of a famous African-American, Ronald Abernathy is the nephew of civil rights leader, Ralph Abernathy. Ralph Abernathy was a champion for the cause of human rights, and Booker T. Washington championed the cause of human relations. What a brilliant merging of 19th and 20th century minds continuing to advance ideas through their direct descendants in the 21st century. About THE BOOKER T. WASHINGTON DREAM CENTER™ There are hundreds of organizations, schools, and even a few neighborhoods around the country that are named after Booker T. Washington, but less than a handful in California. BTWEN plans to seek funding to develop the first Booker T. Washington Dream Center, where they will house workshops, case management, outreach, coaching and mentoring services, as well as a "Drop-In" clinic for youth at risk of dropping out, or who need help with passing high school exit exams, or writing college essays. They are looking to open the Dream Center in 2009, hopefully in Oakland—not only because there is a vast amount of need there, but because Ms. Rush was considered an "at-risk" youth who grew up Oakland, and attended and graduated from Oakland Public Schools. |
| BTWEN's Founder |
| A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization |
I have never had much patience with the multitudes of people who are always ready to explain why one cannot succeed. I have always had high
regard for the man who could tell me how to succeed.. Booker T. Washington
regard for the man who could tell me how to succeed.. Booker T. Washington
B.T.W.E.N. programs
inspire participants to:
 | Embrace Their Life | |
| Story | ||
| Increase Self-Worth | |
| Discover Confidence | |
| Strengthen Character | |
| Build Healthy | |
| Relationships | ||
| Uncover Life's | |
| Purpose | ||
| Make a Difference | |
Copyright © 2009 BTWEN, Inc. All Rights Reserved
BTWEN, P.O. Box 2325, Oakland, CA 94621-1411, 510.278.1634
| Booker T. Washington Empowerment Network, BTWEN Empowering ordinary people to achieve extraordinary legacies A 501 (c) 3 Nonprofit organization founded by the great-granddaughter of Booker T. Washington |
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