Urban University Wraps Up a Memorable Summer!
Celebrate our campers’ achievements and join us for the closing week as Urban University Summer Camp finishes strong.
The Final Week of Urban University Summer Camp Is Here
Week 5: Growth, Learning, and Celebration
We’ve officially made it to week 5 of Urban University Summer Camp, and it’s hard to believe how quickly these past few weeks went by.
This summer wasn’t just about showing up each day. Our campers stayed engaged, tried new things, and stepped into experiences that pushed them a little outside their comfort zones. From academics to hands-on learning and real conversations about life and leadership, every part of the program was designed with their growth in mind, and it showed.
To our families, thank you for trusting us with your children. That trust means everything to us, and it’s a big part of what makes programs like this work. We don’t take that for granted.
And to our students, we’re proud of you. Not just for what you learned, but for how you showed up, how you grew, and how you leaned into the experience. You put in the work, and it shows.
We will close out the week with a celebration to recognize everything our campers accomplished because they truly earned it. We can’t wait to do it all again. See you next summer!
AAYHF Featured in National Report on AI and Nonprofit Leadership
African American Youth Harvest Foundation is proud to be featured as one of only four case studies in the national report, Building the Leadership Nonprofits Need to Make AI Work, developed by Board.Dev in collaboration with Dell Technologies.
The report highlights organizations that are demonstrating how artificial intelligence can be thoughtfully and responsibly integrated to strengthen leadership, improve organizational effectiveness, and increase community impact.
AAYHF’s case study, A Retired CIO Brings Tech Governance to a Community Nonprofit, showcases how our organization is leveraging artificial intelligence to improve staff planning and operational decision-making, strengthen grant research and funding alignment, measure outcomes across services, and expand STEM, robotics, and AI-powered learning opportunities for youth.
The report also features insights from our Chief Program Officer, Elaine Lofton, whose leadership has centered on approaching AI as both an innovation opportunity and a governance responsibility.
“At this point in time, we can’t afford to be late on AI and we can’t be careless at the same time. The future belongs to organizations that pair innovation with governance.”
For nearly 20 years, AAYHF has remained committed to ensuring that youth and families have access to opportunities that prepare them for success. This national recognition affirms our belief that technology should be used intentionally to strengthen services, increase impact, and create pathways for communities to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
We are honored to be recognized by Board.Dev and remain committed to ensuring that innovation and opportunity reach the communities we serve every day.
We also extend our deepest gratitude to Dell Technologies for their unwavering partnership and 15 years of support. As one of only 12 strategic partners, Dell has played a critical role in helping AAYHF expand access to technology, strengthen our infrastructure, and create meaningful opportunities for the youth and families we serve.
AAYHF Manor Satellite Pantry & Resource Hub Now Open Weekly
The AAYHF Manor Satellite Food Pantry & Resource Hub is your one-stop shop for food, essentials, and community support.
Manor Location:
600 E. Parsons St., Building 300, Manor, TX
Weekly Hours:
Wednesday and Friday, 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Starting in July, our Second Saturday Community Resource Days will offer even more, bringing together social service agencies, workforce resources, health organizations, and family support services in one place.
Visitors can explore the food pantry, connect with community vendors in the cafeteria, and shop for household goods and clothing in the gymnasium, all during one visit.
AAYHF Featured in The Manor Journal
Expanding Access Through Harvest Manor
The African American Youth Harvest Foundation is proud to be featured in The Manor Journal, highlighting the launch of our new Manor Satellite Pantry and Outreach Hub.
The article spotlights our partnership with Manor ISD and the grand opening of the Harvest Manor Food Pantry, a space designed to provide food, resources, and support to families in need.
Since opening, the pantry has already served hundreds of families, offering not only food, but access to clothing, household goods, and community services through strong local partnerships.
Taking Learning to New Heights
Urban University Campers Experience Austin Public Safety Up Close
Urban University Summer Camp continues to inspire and engage our youth, and this week, learning truly took flight.
Our campers had an unforgettable experience during a special helicopter visit led by Austin PD-area public safety professionals. Students had the opportunity to get an up-close look at the helicopter, learn about aviation, and explore career pathways in public safety, emergency response, and aviation services.
This hands-on experience sparked curiosity, excitement, and meaningful conversations about future possibilities. Moments like these are what Urban University is all about: connecting learning to real-world opportunities and exposing our youth to careers they can aspire to achieve.
From STEM and entrepreneurship to career exploration and leadership development, our campers continue to grow, explore, and dream big each day. We are proud to provide experiences that expand horizons and empower the next generation of leaders.
AAYHF Celebrates Juneteenth
At the African American Youth Harvest Foundation, Juneteenth is more than a moment of remembrance. It is a powerful reflection of freedom, resilience, and the ongoing journey toward equity.
This day reminds us why our work matters. Every program we offer, every resource we provide, and every opportunity we create is rooted in a shared belief: that our communities deserve access, support, and the chance to thrive.
Through our youth development programs, family services, and community outreach efforts, we remain committed to building pathways forward, creating spaces where young people are empowered, families are strengthened, and our community continues to grow together.
As we honor the legacy of those who came before us, we also recognize our responsibility to keep moving the work forward, investing in our future and continuing to build a stronger, more equitable tomorrow.
Happy Juneteenth.
Back to School Community Party
We’re gearing up for our 2026 Back 2 School Community Party, and you don’t want to miss it.
August 15, 2026 • 10 AM – 2 PM
6633 Hwy 290 East, Austin, TX 78723
Join us for a day full of free backpacks and school supplies, registration required, plus delicious food, games, bounce houses, community performances, and resource booths for the whole family.
Last year, we served over 900 youth, and this year we’re ready to make an even bigger impact.
Support Our Back-to-School Supply Drive
We are currently collecting essential school supplies to help ensure every child starts the school year prepared and confident.
Needed items include backpacks, pencils, pens, markers, crayons, colored pencils, highlighters, notebooks, binders, folders, calculators, Clorox wipes, composition books, spiral notebooks, tape, glue, staplers, rulers, erasers, Kleenex, paper, sticky notes, and scissors.
Donations are being accepted now through August 1, 2026, at 6633 Hwy 290 East, Austin, TX 78723.
Together, we can equip our youth for success and make this school year one to remember.
We Need Your Support: Help Keep Our Food Pantries Strong
At the African American Youth Harvest Foundation, meeting the immediate needs of our families is at the heart of our mission, and our two food pantries play a vital role in that commitment.
Each week, we serve community members who rely on these resources to keep healthy meals on the table, especially during times of rising costs and ongoing hardship.
To continue providing consistent, high-quality support, we need your help. Our pantries depend on community generosity to stay stocked with fresh produce, non-perishable items, household essentials, and hygiene products.
Every contribution, whether funding or volunteer time, directly impacts a family in need. Please consider supporting our food pantries. Together, we can ensure that no family in our community goes without the nourishment and stability they deserve.
Watch the Highlights
- FOX 7 News Coverage — Click Here
- KVUE News Coverage — Click Here
- Special Video: MLK III Visit to AAYHF — Click Here
- MLK III Speech — Click Here
- Remarks by Gary Bledsoe — Click Here
- Remarks by Commissioner Jeff Travillion — Click Here
Make Your Investment Today
This is a pivotal moment for AAYHF, Austin, and communities nationwide seeking genuine, replicable solutions rooted in dignity and healing.
Together, we can ensure that the Beloved Community is not only remembered but also made into a reality.
We invite you to stand with us and make your donation today.