April 4-6, 2025

THE BREAKTHROUGH EXPERIENCE

About The Event

Join us April 4-6, 2025, in Houston, TX, for The Breakthrough Experience, an inaugural gathering of 300+ thought leaders, educators, community advocates, and Breakthrough alumni dedicated to enhancing college access and strengthening the teaching pipeline.

 
The Hilton Post Oak Hotel
Houston, TX
April 4-6, 2025
 
This transformative event will emphasize community building, professional development, and leadership growth while showcasing Breakthrough Collaborative’s profound impact. Participants will exchange ideas, share solutions, and engage in critical conversations about the future of education, fostering innovation and advancing opportunity across the sector.
 

The Breakthrough Experience offers a unique opportunity to witness our mission in action, connect meaningfully with our community, and celebrate the collective progress we’re making. Together, we’ll inspire the next generation of leaders and continue breaking barriers in education.

Who Should Attend

The Breakthrough Experience is designed to bring together individuals from all corners of the education sector. Whether you’re a Breakthrough alum, education leader, or partner, this event offers something for you. If you are:

  • An alum: Reconnect with your Breakthrough community, expand your network, and engage in shaping the future of education through shared experiences and insights.
  • An education leader: Collaborate with fellow change agents to tackle the challenges facing schools today and contribute to the future of equitable education.
  • A partner: Strengthen your impact by connecting with other leaders in education, sharing resources, and supporting Breakthrough’s mission to drive lasting change.

 

Event Schedule

Explore dynamic program tracks designed to inspire, equip, and connect attendees at The Breakthrough Experience:

Community Development: Foster connections and belonging by convening communities, centering families, and driving systems change through advocacy, policy, and alumni engagement.

Leadership Advancement: Advance your career through leadership pathways, sustainable economic models, and authentic storytelling that amplifies your network’s voices. 

Professional Development: Equip leaders with best practices in out-of-school learning, college success, and the teacher pipeline to deepen growth in the education ecosystem.

Future Leaders Forum: Designed to engage and equip emerging leaders, this program offers workshops, discussions, and networking opportunities to build skills, knowledge, and connections for success.

Visit our event page to preview the event schedule in progress.

3 Reasons to Attend The Breakthrough Experience

  1. Reconnect with the Breakthrough community and expand your network with fellow education leaders and advocates.
  2. Participate in tailored leadership sessions designed to amplify your impact across education and advocacy.
  3. Gain fresh insights into Breakthrough’s evolving mission and bold vision for the future.

Network With Other Thought Leaders in this Space

  • Connect with national leaders, shaping outcomes for students, teachers, and communities.
  • Build meaningful relationships with Breakthrough alumni and advocates committed to educational equity.
  • Discover Breakthrough’s evolving mission, bold vision, and its role in shaping the future of education.

 

Meet Our Event Chairs

A woman with shoulder-length hair smiles as she looks to the side. The black and white image highlights her bright expression, suggesting a moment of educational empowerment and celebrating her pursuit of knowledge.

JuliAnne McDowell

Breakthrough Collaborative Board of Trustees

Philanthropist & Community Leader

Miami, FL

Smiling man with short hair and a trimmed goatee wearing a dark grey collared shirt, pictured against a plain dark background, embodying educational empowerment.

Keno Sadler

CEO, Synapset Consulting

Breakthrough Collaborative Board of Trustees

Breakthrough Atlanta Founder

Jersey City, NJ

A man with glasses and a trimmed beard wears a gray blazer, black t-shirt, and a large wooden bead necklace, standing on a crowded street—exuding educational empowerment amidst the bustle of opportunity.

Curtis Valentine

Co-Director, Reinventing America’s Schools Project

Founder, Real Men Teach

Washington, DC

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a black top, smiles at the camera against a plain white background, radiating educational empowerment.

Abby Zanarini

Breakthrough Collaborative Board of Trustees

Philanthropist & Civic Leader

Miami, FL

Meet our host committee—a dedicated group of Breakthrough alumni and supporters who are helping to plan an unforgettable event and ensure a meaningful experience for all attendees.

Become a 2025 Sponsor

We offer a variety of sponsorships, each providing high-impact visibility and the chance to showcase your brand to a diverse audience.

By sponsoring, you’ll connect with influential attendees, including educators, future teachers, nonprofit leaders, legislators, funders, and other key stakeholders in education.

Two young adults smiling and standing close together in front of a red curtain decorated with gold triangular flags, embodying educational empowerment. One wears a light gray fleece jacket, the other a brown sweater and backpack.
A woman with long braids, wearing a bright blue blazer, sits at a table and smiles while looking to the side in a brightly lit indoor setting, embodying educational empowerment. Other people are visible in the blurred background.
Three people stand closely together indoors, smiling at the camera. The woman in the center has a name badge, reflecting educational empowerment and opportunity shared among the group. The men wear a plaid jacket and a blue shirt with a lanyard.
A group of women stand and laugh together in a warmly lit auditorium near a podium. One woman at the center is clapping and appears joyful. The scene radiates educational empowerment as everyone engages in lively conversation.
Three women smiling and posing together at an educational enrichment event, each wearing name tags and lanyards. The background features red curtains and string decorations with triangular flags.
A woman in a pink blouse stands smiling and talking to a seated woman at a table covered with large sheets of paper, while three people converse in the background, creating an atmosphere of educational empowerment in the conference room.