Local Brooklyn school hosts event to inspire next generation of leaders of color

Brooklyn Lab Charter School (Brooklyn Lab), a college-prep public school in downtown Brooklyn teaching students from 6th to 12th grade, hosted its third annual “Success Looks Like Me” Career Day on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.

With 98% of Brooklyn Lab’s scholars identifying as people of color, the school is committed to breaking down barriers and widening the path to college and career success. The school was co-founded in 2013, and its mission is to eliminate the achievement gap by preparing students with the academic foundation, digital literacy, and leadership skills necessary to succeed in college and professional life.

Brooklyn native Dr. Garland Thomas-McDavid has been the school’s CEO for three years now, after over two decades leading schools in Chicago in some of the country’s most disadvantaged communities.

“My work has always centered on ensuring that underserved students have the same access, support, and opportunities as their peers. At Brooklyn Lab, we are not just preparing students for college and careers—we are cultivating future leaders who see themselves reflected in excellence every single day,” said Thomas-McDavid.

Thomas-McDavid has the following mission: to elevate graduation rates for Black students in New York while also focusing on providing her students with opportunities and exposure to Black role models.

Sharing one of the personal experiences that led her to this mission, she stated, “I believe I was born an educator. As a child, I would line up my siblings and make them play school with me, using old, discarded desks my mother found just so I could bring my little classroom to life. Even then, I felt the power of education — not just as a subject to be learned, but as a tool for transformation.”

Growing up in East New York in the ’80s, she was surrounded by challenges that could have easily defined her future—violent crime, the crack epidemic that reached into her own home, and an education system that too often underestimated kids like her.

Another personal experience that led Thomas-McDavid to this mission was when she and her five younger siblings were taking the bus to schools in Bensonhurst. It was in those schools that she was placed in a gifted academic program.

“I experienced the transformative power of education. For the first time, I saw what it meant to be in a classroom where teachers expected excellence, where opportunity wasn’t an afterthought but a given. That experience showed me what was possible—but it also made me question why so many students in my own neighborhood weren’t afforded the same,” she added.

She said that at the school, teachers and staff prepare students academically while helping them believe in themselves and dream big dreams.

“We’re opening doors, exposing our scholars to the leaders, professionals, and role models who prove that success is within their reach. That’s why Success Looks Like Me isn’t just an event — it’s a movement. It’s the very thing I wish I had growing up: a space where Black and Brown students don’t just imagine success, they see it reflected in the people standing right in front of them,” she explained.

Success Looks Like Me was born out of a simple but powerful idea: when students see people who look like them achieving at the highest levels, they begin to see those possibilities for themselves.

According to Thomas-McDavid, the team that planned the event wanted to create a space amplifying Black excellence in every field and creating direct connections between our students and the leaders shaping these industries.

“Systemic barriers — whether it’s limited access to high-quality schools, underrepresentation in leadership, or a lack of mentorship — persist, but we refuse to let them define our students’ futures. This event dismantles those barriers by fostering networks, elevating real-world success stories, and equipping students with the knowledge, confidence, and relationships they need to thrive. It’s not just about inspiration; it’s about activation,” she continued.

This year, the event will bring together an incredible lineup of accomplished professionals—leaders who reflect the brilliance, resilience, and ambition that our students carry within them. Students will hear from entrepreneurs, engineers, artists, educators, and executives—leaders who have carved their own paths and are eager to share their lessons, struggles, and triumphs.

Each speaker brings a different perspective, but the common thread is this: success is not a one-size-fits-all journey and representation matters.

One of them is Kelly Mehrtens, a powerhouse in professional and collegiate athletics. She is a keynote speaker with over 30 years of executive experience, including as Executive Director of The Trust, powered by the NFL Players Association.

“Her journey — from being an NCAA All-American in track and field to shaping programs that support former NFL players in their career transitions — is a testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability, and strategic leadership. She embodies the very message we want our students to take away: success is about more than talent — it’s about resilience, preparation, and knowing how to navigate opportunities when they arise,” Thomas-McDavid stated.

If there’s one thing she and the event planning team want students to walk away with, it’s the understanding that their aspirations are valid, achievable, and within reach.

 “They will leave knowing that their dreams are not distant, abstract ideas— they are tangible goals that have been realized by people who look like them, who share their backgrounds, and who are proof that success looks like them,” she continued, adding, “More than anything, I hope students leave with the confidence to claim their space. The world needs their ideas, their leadership, and their voices. At Brooklyn Lab, we are committed to enabling our students to dream big and ensuring they have every tool they need to meet those aspirations.”

The event took place at the school, located at 77 Sands St., Brooklyn, NY 11201, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Parents with students entering middle school who have questions can call the school at 347-473-8340 or email admissions@brooklynlaboratoryschool.org.