The Parent Think Tank

The Parent Think Tank is a collaborative initiative under Fresh Perspectives designed to educate, empower, and engage parents as key stakeholders in their children’s educational journeys. Through dynamic workshops, real-time data analysis, and solution-driven discussions, the Think Tank equips parents with the tools, resources, and insights necessary to advocate for academic success, financial readiness, and equitable education policies. It serves as both a learning hub and an action platform that places parents at the center of educational reform and student achievement.

Mission

To mobilize and educate parents through innovative workshops and collaborative forums that support academic excellence, reduce college debt, and close opportunity gaps for students from all backgrounds.

Purpose

To strengthen parent engagement in the academic and career planning of their children.

To provide critical knowledge around scholarships, financial literacy, college admissions, and workforce trends.

To address systemic barriers impacting student success, including policy, equity, and access issues.

To build a community of informed parent advocates driving change in schools, communities, and legislation.

To partner with schools, organizations, and policymakers for long-term impact.

2025/2026 Parenting Seminars

  • The Parents Smart Guide to Sending Your Kids to College without Going Broke
  • How To Raise a Child with Character and Conviction
  • Your Vision for Success

Sending Your Kids to College without Going Broke

Length: 3 hours
Audience: Parents and Students

In this three-part session, the facilitator will explore the realities of college costs, parent’s will learn strategies needed to meet these costs without amassing debt, students will learn how to write award-winning essays and personal narratives, and prepare for scholarship and college interviews.

How to Raise a Child with Character and Conviction

Length: 1 hour (seminar + keynote address)
Audience: Parents and Students

This seminar is a frank discussion on laying fundamental success and high achievement standards in your home to raise a successful child. The facilitator will discuss when students are presented with opportunities why they may be challenged and how parents can be equipped with strategies to guide their students toward success.

Scholarship & Fellowship Writing Lab

Length: 2 hours
Audience: Students

This is a workshop where students learn how to develop their scholarship essay writing skills. The facilitator will show the student how to increase their chances of conveying their ideas into a winning essay. Students should be prepared to spend some time collecting their thoughts, creating a personal statement and learning how to respond to scholarship essays. A personalized online seminar is available by appointment.

Lunch and Learn

Length: 1 hour
Audience: Corporate

According to a study by Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC), “Financial stress can have a major impact on employees, from greater health concerns to trouble with relationships and distractions at work. This same stress can also influence a company’s well-being, including potentially higher costs due to elevated healthcare plan use, lost productivity from distractions/ absenteeism, and lower savings for retirement or medical expenses.”

Host a lunch hour program for your employees on the topics:
“The Parents Smart Guide to Sending Your Kids to College without Going Broke” or “How Do I pay off my College Debt.”

Your Parenting Plan

Length: 2-hour session or 1-hour keynote address
Audience: Parents and Students

This seminar addresses issues African-American children face when growing up in suburban or predominantly non-African American communities including what happens to these children when raised without a proper Parenting Plan. The facilitator lays out a plan of action for Parents for a Success Pathway, stressing that the success of children starts at home.