Pictured: Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter painting with Thrive students in the Bronx.

You can see it in their eyes.

In every Thrive Collective program, there comes a moment when cynicism transforms into expectation. When possibility overtakes skepticism. Students who previously dismissed themselves as non-creatives start to lean in. They accept more challenging tasks. And their eyes fill with anticipation.

We call that hope. Attainable, enduring, and transformational hope that grows from opportunity.

People often ask me why I lead an arts organization. That’s why. Our students will never forget that moment, or the immense pride that swells every time they see their murals, listen to their songs, or share their media. Thrive students create the kind of memories that recalibrate the trajectory of their futures. The life skills they discover while bringing a shared vision to life persist long after a project ends.