Our Community
Meet Our
Learners
Eric
Run the Future Learner, Spring 2022
Venture Idea: Bringing neurodivergent superheroes into the comic book world

Olan
Venture Idea: An app to make books more accessible to immigrants in their native languages

Nephraterie
Run the Future Learner, Winter 2023
Venture Idea: Full-spectrum doula services providing education access, care, and resources to Black folks
Tariq & Thomas
Run the Future Learner, Summer 2022
Mauricio
Venture Idea: A platform to connect people in need of medical treatment with people that are willing to donate medicine or services
Jazlyn
Run the Future Learner, Winter 2023
Venture Idea: Replacing single-use coffee cups with an alternative cheaper and eco-friendly substance called mycelium
Our Near
Peer Mentors

Ahmed
Near Peer Mentor, Formation Ventures
I am working on a YouTube Channel, creating a series of short films that are all connected to each other.

Florence
Near Peer Mentor, Formation Ventures

Godwin
Near Peer Mentor, Formation Ventures
I am starting an Esports organization that will bridge the gap between secondary & post-secondary options for minoritized youth interested in an Esports Career. The idea is to cultivate a space of belonging for minoritized professionals in Esports while also building opportunities for youth to pursue their passion of gaming.

Lovette
Near Peer Mentor, Formation Ventures

Sidney
Near Peer Mentor, Formation Ventures
I run a photography business called Claremont Captured on my college campus. I’ve worked alone and alongside the school to cover events and run personal shoots.
FV Crew

Saamra Mekuria-Grillo
CEO and Co-Founder, Formation Ventures
Saamra is Formation Ventures’ CEO and Co-Founder. Born in Boston, Saamra has lived in Los Angeles, Oakland, and now is based in San Antonio, TX.
Prior to founding Formation Ventures, Saamra was the founding COO of the Pahara Institute, and spent time at Google and Bain & Company. Saamra’s first entrepreneurial venture was co-founding a student club at her high school. She has two sons who she’s trying hard to recruit to be avid 90’s R&B fans like her, and who occupy her hours outside of work in exploration of the world.

Brian Lightfoot
Co-Founder, Formation Ventures
Brian is Formation Ventures’ Co-Founder and former Chief Program Officer. Born in Hartford, CT, Brian has lived in Atlanta, GA (where he attended Clark Atlanta University) and currently resides in Denver, CO.
Prior to Formation Ventures, Brian was a consultant for Colorado Youth Congress and the Partnership for the Future of Learning. Brian is now finishing his PhD in the School of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder. Brian’s first entrepreneurial venture was promoting parties as an undergraduate in Atlanta. Brian and his wife, Nikki, enjoy traveling and finding new restaurants to review.

Quiaria Asiedu
Director of Program Delivery, Run the Future
Prior to joining our team, Quiaria led in multiple capacities at Teach For America. She supported the organization by working as a coach, matriculation director, and director of partnerships and pre-service. Quiaria began her career as a classroom teacher in Chicago teaching 1st through 3rd grade. She is a graduate of Northwestern University where she earned her Masters of Science in Education. Quiaria lives on the Southside of Chicago with her partner Josh, daughters Quinn and Jordyn, and sister-in-law Ella. In her free time Quiaria enjoys reading books, listening to podcasts, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Hassan Bangurah
Instructional Lead, Run the Future
Hassan is an Instructional Lead at Run the Future, a collaboration between Formation Ventures and Cambiar Education. Born in the nation’s capital, he grew up in Maryland and now lives in Virginia. He is passionate about arming students with the tools they need to access the world around them.
Before working with Formation Ventures and Cambiar on Run the Future, he taught 3rd grade at Excellence Girls EA, 5th grade science virtually, and 5th grade STEM at an IB world school, where he was able to create project based learning for students to engage with STEM concepts. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, learning something new, and creating art projects.

Rene Morgan
Operations Lead, Run the Future
Rene is the Operations Lead for Run the Future, a collaboration between Formation Ventures and Cambiar Education.
Prior to joining the team, Rene led operations for the Charter Network Accelerator program and was the Founder and Program Director of the Early Career Leadership Program at Achievement First. Rene began her career in education as a school administrator at the Harlem Children’s Zone. Born in the Bay Area, Rene lived on the East Coast for over 10 years and now is based in Southern California. Rene’s first entrepreneurial venture was as a dog walker. Rene enjoys spending time with her loved ones including her family, friends, and her dog.

Kiersten Wesley
Program Associate, Formation Ventures
Kiersten Wesley is the Program Associate for Formation Ventures. She is passionate about equipping young people of color with the necessary financial and entrepreneurial skills to help combat the prevalent wealth discrepancies present today.
Before joining Formation Ventures, Kiersten spent four years as an English teacher at a charter school, where she implemented identity affirming and culturally responsive pedagogy. During her time as an educator, Kiersten prioritized relationship building with students and providing effective lesson facilitation in the classroom.
Kiersten holds a bachelor’s degree in Financial Planning with a specialization in Entrepreneurship from the University of Georgia, and currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia. In her spare time, she enjoys meditation, weight lifting, and other mindfulness activities.
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