Driven By
Purpose
Founded by Jeurys Santiago, Minds With Purpose exists to empower young people, creatives, and multicultural voices to lead with confidence and impact.
Jeurys Santiago
Founder & Executive Director
From Vision
To Movement
Minds With Purpose Foundation is a 501(c)(3) youth development nonprofit based in Boston, MA. Founded by Jeurys Santiago — a first-generation Afro-Caribbean immigrant from the Dominican Republic, and a teaching assistant at Harvard's Division of Continuing Education — the organization was born from firsthand experience of the gaps in opportunity, mentorship, and representation for multicultural youth.
Starting as an agency promoting small businesses and local creatives at UMass Lowell, we've evolved into a comprehensive movement on a bold mission: to positively impact 1 million lives by ensuring equity is embedded in every opportunity.
"Every struggle has been a steppingstone... We don't have to wait to be chosen — we can create our own tables."
Equity in Every Opportunity
We create programs and services that affirm identity, power, and potential — refusing to gatekeep access to the resources young people need to thrive.
Mentorship & Career Development
One-on-one mentorship pairings, career guidance, and college access support for first-gen students navigating higher education.
Creative Apprenticeships
We pay talented young creatives to work on real client projects in videography, photography, and design — building portfolio and income at the same time.
Business Consulting & Entrepreneurship
Capacity-building support that helps young entrepreneurs and small businesses launch, grow, and scale sustainably.
Wellness & Healing
Healing isn’t a luxury — it’s the foundation of strong communities. We create safe spaces where young people can truly be themselves and grow.
Media & Storytelling
Professional videography and photography services that amplify underrepresented voices and give youth the platforms to tell their own stories.
Leadership & Community Events
Summits, workshops, and conferences — like the Rise & Thrive Women’s Conference — that foster cultures where BIPOC leaders flourish.
Built By Us, For Us
We're a community-first team serving first-generation, immigrant, and BIPOC youth and young adults ages 14–35 across Greater Boston and beyond.
Core Values
Purpose
We move with intention. Every program and partnership is designed to create tangible impact.
Community
We believe in the power of the collective. We rise by lifting others and building strong networks.
Authenticity
We celebrate diverse voices and encourage showing up as your true self.
Action
Dreams require doers. We bridge the gap between having an idea and making it happen.
We Build Together
We team up with corporations, community organizations, and local leaders who share our commitment to equity. Recently, we co-hosted an event with JPMorgan Chase at their Lawrence branch — bringing together multicultural entrepreneurs and local leaders to create space and visibility for underrepresented voices.
Our apprenticeship partners — the businesses and organizations that hire our young creatives — make it possible for youth to gain real paid work experience while delivering professional media services to the community.
MA Department of Public Health
State public health partner supporting our health education and community wellness initiatives.
Health Care For All
Health advocacy partner advancing coverage, care, and access for the communities we serve.
Chase Bank
Co-hosted community event bringing multicultural entrepreneurs together in Lawrence, MA.
Eastern Bank
Community banking partner invested in equity, inclusion, and local youth opportunity.
Boston Celtics
Career field trips inside the Celtics facility connecting youth to sports industry careers.
BR+A
Career field trips giving youth hands-on exposure to engineering and professional environments.
Pathways to Possibility
Learn. Grow. Create impact. Our programs give young people the skills, connections, and paid opportunities to turn talent into careers.
Creative Apprenticeship
Paid real-world creative work for young videographers, photographers, and designers.
Mentorship
Professional pairings that connect youth with guidance, resources, and check-ins.
Workshops
Skills-building workshops covering materials, facilitation, and hands-on learning.
Events & Summits
Conferences and community gatherings like the Health Education & Culture Summit.