Lucas joined Baton Rouge Youth Coalition in July 2012 as Director of Academics and Programs soon to become the future Executive Director. Originally from New York City and raised in South Florida, Lucas graduated with a B.A. in History from Yale before moving to Baton Rouge to teach 7th grade Social Studies at Baker Middle School—with Teach for America. During his time at Baker Middle, Lucas was not only an effective teacher, being named Teacher of the Year in each of his two years, but also coached the boys’ basketball team and launched a community service club. In his time as the Executive Director of BRYC, he has raised almost two million dollars, quadrupled the number of students BRYC serves, and set an aggressive course for expansion within and beyond Baton Rouge. If you're interested in hearing about the challenges that under-resourced students face, the narrative that SHOULD be told vs the one that IS being told, and how BRYC is championing these students' journey to and through college, this episode is a must-listen. It was enlightening for me and I know it will be for you as well.