2025 Peter Jennings Award Winner

Aimée Eubanks Davis (Greater New Orleans ‘95), CEO of Braven, has been named the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Peter Jennings Award for Civic Leadership. Established in 2007, the Peter Jennings Award, named in honor of the late ABC News anchor and longtime supporter of Teach For America, recognizes Teach For America alumni who embody the organization’s core values and whose work led to significant change for excellence and equity in education.

“Peter deeply believed in the promise of education to open doors and change lives, especially for those too often left behind,” said Kayce Freed Jennings, Peter’s wife. “Aimée Eubanks Davis embodies that belief. Through Braven, she has built a powerful bridge between college and career for students who have the talent and tenacity but not always the access. Her work is bold, compassionate, and rooted in the idea that leadership lives in every community. We are honored to recognize her with this award in Peter’s name. Peter would be honored, too."

Under Aimée Eubanks Davis’s leadership, Braven has become a national leader in helping first-generation and low-income college students land strong first jobs. Inspired by her own upbringing on Chicago’s South Side and early career in the classroom, Aimée founded Braven in 2013 to close the gap between college and career. Today, Braven partners with financially constrained colleges and universities and employers to offer a credit-bearing career readiness course and ongoing support that gives students the skills, networks, confidence, and experience to succeed after graduation.

Under Aimée’s leadership, Braven has scaled into a national force for economic mobility, now operating across six regions and serving nearly 14,000 Fellows—3,570 of whom completed the course during the 2024–25 school year. The results are compelling: 2024 Braven graduates outperformed peer benchmarks by 18 percentage points, with 61% securing quality jobs or entering graduate school within six months of graduation—compared to 43% of their peers nationally. In total, 84% of 2024 Braven graduates were employed or in grad school shortly after graduation, and Fellows were 22% more likely to have completed at least one internship during college. With a 92% six-year graduation rate, strong employer partnerships, and a growing coaching pipeline, Braven is redefining what’s possible when first-generation and low-income college students receive the support they deserve on the path from college to career.

“I’m incredibly humbled to receive the Peter Jennings Award for Civic Leadership,” shared Aimée Eubanks Davis. “As a daughter of the South Side of Chicago and a former sixth-grade teacher, I’ve seen up close how talent is distributed equally—but opportunity is not. That truth is what inspired me to found Braven. This honor is a reflection of the thousands of brilliant young people we’ve had the privilege to support, as well as the educators, employers, and partners who believe—as I do—that our next generation of leaders is already here. We simply need to clear the path.”

Braven stands out for its innovative approach to closing the college-to-career gap. Under Aimée’s leadership, the organization has created a powerful model that begins with a credit-bearing course—offered in partnership with financially constrained colleges and universities—that equips students with the skills, networks, confidence, and experience needed to thrive after graduation. Fellows then receive ongoing coaching and support through college and into their first jobs. With a focus on real-world experiences like mock interviews, team projects, and mentorship from professionals, Braven is helping students build both the hard and human skills that lead to lasting success. It’s a model that is not only working—it’s transforming lives.

“Aimée represents the very best of what it means to be a Teach For America alum,” shared Aneesh Sohoni, CEO of Teach For America and 2024 Peter Jennings Award recipient. “She has spent her life expanding access to opportunity for students who, like her, grew up with big dreams and the determination to pursue them. What she has built with Braven is truly remarkable. It is an organization that believes in the brilliance of our young people and provides the tools, networks, and support they need to thrive. Her leadership continues to inspire me and so many others across the TFA network. We are incredibly proud to honor her with this award.”

Aimée’s journey in education began as a sixth-grade teacher in New Orleans through Teach For America, where she witnessed firsthand the challenges and untapped potential of students from under-resourced communities. Inspired by her own upbringing and commitment to educational excellence, Aimée transitioned into leadership roles within TFA, helping to expand the organization’s reach and impact. After more than a decade with TFA—where she served as Chief People Officer among other leadership roles—Aimée founded Braven in 2013 to address the critical gap between college and career readiness for first-generation and low-income students. Her work has reshaped how higher education prepares young people for meaningful economic mobility and leadership.

About the Award

Established in 2007, this award is named in tribute to the late journalist Peter Jennings, whose dedication to expanding educational opportunity was crucial to advancing educational equity.

Award winners and finalists represent a wide range of fields that impact education, including school leaders, social entrepreneurs, community organizers, and elected officials.

Finalists are nominated by Teach For America’s executive leadership team, fellow alumni, staff, and external partners. The winner of the award receives a prize of $10,000 in addition to local and national recognition.

Contact peterjenningsaward@teachforamerica.org for more information.