Brian Lightfoot  (he/him)

Brian is originally from Harford, CT and has lived in Denver, CO since 2013 with his wife Nikki. A proud HBCU alum, Brian received his B.A. in Mass Media Arts from Clark Atlanta University. He is also currently a PhD candidate at the School of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder. His research is focused on developing equitable, student-centered policies, practices, and institutions. His published work has discussed charter school policy, student activism, and teacher preparation.

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In all his work, he focuses on authentically collaborating with students, families, and communities to co-create spaces that build capacity and social capital. Prior to joining Access Opportunity, Brian co-founded and was Chief Program Officer of Formation Ventures, an e-learning program that supports emerging entrepreneurs of color.  Additionally, Brian has worked in advocacy and community engagement throughout Denver. In addition to his involvement in numerous local initiatives, he also pursues community engagement through his work on the board of directors of Project Voyce and Montessori on Wheels.

 

In his free time, Brian enjoys watching movies and finding new restaurants with his wife Nikki. He also spends a lot of time playing with and trying to train his Boxer puppy, Apollo. Brian loves meeting new people and being in community with family and friends.

 

Favorite College Experience: "I always loved to write, particularly short stories and movie scripts. During my undergraduate studies, I majored in media production and during my senior year had the opportunity to write and direct a (very) short film. It was a great experience to see something that I had imagined come to life. While I did not end up going into media production as a career, I am still passionate about turning ideas into reality and now pursue it through entrepreneurship."

 

Advice for High School and College Students: "Stay curious! High school and college are great times for exploration, and I encourage young people to try new things and expand their comfort zones. You never know how a new path can open due to a new experience. Embracing new experiences is also a great way to expand your circle of friends which can introduce you to ever more unexpected opportunities!"

 

Favorite Food: "I love Italian food like lasagna and really any type of pasta. I’m also always down for turkey club sandwiches with bacon. And you can never go wrong with cheesecake as a dessert. "