Legacy in Action: Building Our First Steps

Legacy in Action: Building Our First Steps

Rooted in Culture. Driven by Purpose.

By Lauren Yanthis

Legacy is not just about vision. It is about action. It is about proof. At Plana for Success, we believe the best way to measure our impact is not by the promises we make but by the lives we help change. That is the purpose of this section of our blog - Legacy in Action.

This is where we will share the steps we are taking to turn ideas into reality. It will not be about lofty words or abstract goals. It will be about students, families, and communities. It will be about real progress and measurable outcomes.

Why This Matters

As a mother of two HBCU students, Yasmin and Mekhi, I know firsthand how heavy the weight of college can feel. The excitement of opportunity is often shadowed by the stress of finances. I have seen not only my own children but also their friends and peers struggle to balance dreams with the reality of tuition bills, unexpected expenses, and the fear that financial strain might derail their education.

Too many bright students leave HBCUs not because they lack the drive or intelligence but because of financial barriers in education. This is why scholarships for Black students and intentional HBCU student support matter so much. College affordability is not just a talking point — it is the difference between a young person graduating into opportunity or leaving school with dreams deferred.

That is why Legacy in Action is not just a blog category. It is a commitment to transparency, accountability, and measurable impact.

Our First Steps

Plana for Success is building a framework that focuses on both financial support and career development. Some of the early initiatives you will see shared here include:

• Balance-Clearing Program: Too many students are prevented from graduating because of small unpaid balances. We are developing ways to highlight and support students whose futures depend on removing those final barriers.
• Scholarships for Black Students: Funding that allows students to focus on learning instead of stressing about money. These scholarships will specifically target HBCU students, honoring the institutions that continue to shape generations of Black excellence.
• Internship Opportunities: Real-world experience is just as valuable as classroom learning. We are creating spaces for students to build skills, make connections, and prepare for leadership in their fields.

Each of these efforts will be documented in this space, with full transparency. If we say we are supporting a student, we will show you how. If we claim to fund an opportunity, we will share the outcome.

Measurable Student Impact

Impact will look different depending on the student. For one, it might mean clearing a balance that allows them to finally walk across the graduation stage. For another, it might mean an internship that opens doors to a future career. For a family, it might mean the relief of knowing their child’s education is secure.

What unites these stories is that they are not abstract. They are measurable. They are real. They are the proof of our mission in action. This blog will become a record of success stories in education, showing how community support can transform lives.

Our Promise

This section will grow as Plana for Success grows. Right now, we are taking the first steps. Over time, we will share more stories, more outcomes, and more measurable student impact.

For my children, for their friends and peers, and for countless HBCU students across the country, Legacy in Action will be the record of how we are building generational legacy together.

Join Us

We invite you to follow along, to hold us accountable, and to share in the journey. Legacy is strongest when it is collective, when many voices and many hands build it together.

This is just the beginning. The action starts here. Together we can remove financial barriers in education, expand scholarships for Black students, and keep uplifting the African American community through real opportunities and measurable change.