MEDIA 
KIT.

LOGOS AND NAME USAGE

Logos – Print • Web

Name – Our organization is to be referred to as The Lantern Network (the “T” in “The” is capitalized) on first reference and Lantern Network thereafter.

 

Logo Version One

 

Logo Version Two

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VIDEO

The Lantern Network Manifesto Video

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With help from our supporters, The Lantern Network will fulfill its mission through the following programs: Streaming Stories, Professional Development, Mentoring, and Internships.
 

Streaming Stories: A web series featuring successful Black Americans across an exceptionally wide spectrum of professional pursuits—from accountant to zoologist, and everyone in between. The Lantern Network streaming content is instrumental in demonstrating how real people with real stories overcome obstacles and achieve personal and professional goals Co-Founder Tracy Davis' Streaming Story. 

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Mentoring: Aspiring to lead the next generation along the path towards economic freedom, The Lantern Network takes its inspiration from the Underground Railroad of old. We exist to help American youths realize skills and talents that lead to success, while building confidence, self-esteem, respect, responsibility, and integrity. To do that, we align mentees with specialized one-on-one and group mentoring to give them guidance, support, skill sets, and encouragement specific to their needs and goals. Dye'mond's Experience as a Mentee. 

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Internships: Internships lay the foundation for the student’s future career. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 90% of interns are offered a job with their sponsoring company, often moving up the pay scale when they sign the first offer.
 

The Lantern Network endeavors to connect our mentees with paid intern positions at some of the world’s leading industry innovators, with the goal of opening vast future opportunities. Students are coached academically and professionally, with access to a dedicated team of trainers, mentors, and recruiters, all of whom are here to connect the student with their greatest tools for success. Our first corporate sponsor, GenomeMedical has already agreed to provide internships for our students.

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USEFUL STATISTICS

Research shows that a mentor opportunity can provide*:

• improved job placement rates after college

• increased student retention—more students finish college

• a richer college experience for students

• opportunities for alumni to share experience

• In addition, Black students who indicated having more mentors reported more psychological and emotional support and expressed stronger agreement with having a role model

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Since beginning The Lantern Network in 2021, founders Erwin Raphael, Tracy Davis, and Richard Gillam have poured their passion into laying groundwork for The Lantern Network, with the goal of unleashing the enormous potential of these boys and girls. Their vision draws inspiration from the network of glowing Underground Railroad lanterns that led enslaved men, women, and children towards safehouses and eventually freedom. Today’s Lantern Network provides virtual safehouses and guidance to people escaping academic and economic slavery. The Lantern Network is needed now more than ever.

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The Lantern Network is rich with symbolism from The Underground Railroad. Our logo is comprised of the railroad crossings that were imbedded into quilts to communicate to runaway slaves.

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The flame inside of the railroad crossing on our logo symbolizes illumination and hope. And most importantly, there is a play on the network that existed to assist escaping enslaved people along their journey to freedom. Back then, there was an underground network of individuals and small organizations that provided resources. However, today we are creating a highly visible network of sponsoring corporations, groups, individuals, and partnerships with other nonprofits to construct a network that will light the path to economic freedom for young Black Americans.
 

FUNDING AND SUPPORT FOR THE LANTERN NETWORK

We are excited about the impact and positive results The Lantern Network will bring to young persons of color. The Lantern Network is working passionately to propel our mission forward. With help from supporters, now and in the future, we can fund the necessary initiatives in order to #lightthelantern for Black American youth and future generations.

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BOILERPLATE LANGUAGE

Short Version

Too many talented, capable, motivated Black youth lack access to guidance, career opportunities, mentors, internships, and resources needed to unleash their vast potential so they can realize their dreams and more fully contribute to building our More Perfect Union. These underrepresented boys and girls of color have so much to offer, but sadly may never have the chance to position themselves for economic freedom. Learn more at LanternNetwork.org.

 

Long Version

Too many talented, capable, motivated Black youth lack access to guidance, career opportunities, mentors, internships, and resources needed to unleash their vast potential so they can realize their dreams and more fully contribute to building our More Perfect Union. These underrepresented boys and girls of color have so much to offer, but sadly may never have the chance to position themselves for economic freedom.
 

The Lantern Network’s mission is supported by three strategic pillars: Inspire, Develop, and Propel.

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• Inspire: Our goal is to light a fire within our target audience and illuminate the possibilities. We want our young people to be inspired, strong, and confident in what the future holds.

• Develop: With the help of our network (sponsors, donors, volunteers), we will help our clients build sought-after skills that will not only get them invited into the room and thrive, but that they become so masterful that they begin to create new rooms.

• Propel: Our vision is to build career experiences for our clients through paid internships, paid apprenticeships, and paid entrepreneurships. Learn more at LanternNetwork.org.

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*Sources

Business Mentoring Programs | Penn State Behrend (psu.edu)https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/xmlui/handle/1794/25237