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Public-Private Partnerships for Emotional Intelligence, Financial Literacy, and Leadership Access

 

Real learning. Real access. Real change. A nonprofit Partner of BuildingBlocs Literacy, LLC

“We don’t just fund education. We fund structure, because when people have structure, they can change everything.”

— Aaron B. Kershaw, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran & Founder

Empowering Veterans, Families, & Underserved Communities

Through Real-World Learning


THE BrightPath Academy is a first-of-its-kind Emotional Intelligence and Financial Wellness Academy built on the principles of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).
Our programs teach people how to lead calmly, think clearly, communicate effectively, and manage their money with purpose and confidence.

THE BrightPath Foundation is the outreach engine that brings that education to the public.
We form public-private partnerships with cities, corporations, nonprofits, and community organizations to fund, distribute, and deliver the Academy’s programs where they are needed most.

 

Did you know that 68% of Americans have
less than $1,000 in savings?

Whether you’re a business leader, educator, or city official
there’s a way to walk the BrightPath with us.

NICE TO MEET YOU

I’m Aaron B. Kershaw

After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and spending years helping others build businesses, I realized something simple but powerful: most people don’t struggle because they’re lazy; they struggle because no one ever taught them how money really works.

I’ve been in the trenches; from managing a Domino’s Pizza in high school to consulting for corporations, mentoring veterans, and creating community programs. Along the way, I built The BrightPath Academy to give everyone the tools, structure, and confidence to take control of their future.

Today, I teach practical, real-world financial and emotional skills that help families, veterans, and young adults earn more, save smarter, and build lasting freedom.

I’m not here to sell you a dream, I’m here to show you how to build one.

Our Mission

The BrightPath Foundation bridges education and access.
We connect veterans, families, and underserved communities with the tools to rebuild confidence, financial stability, and leadership from the inside out.

Through sponsored learning seats and city partnerships, we deliver real-world education that transforms lives — one course, one household, one community at a time.

THERE IS HOPE

You Can Create Financial Freedom for Others

You as well, just take a class or 5...

 

Our Flagship Initiatives

  • BrightPathNow

    City partnerships delivering sponsored financial education to residents through QR-based access campaigns.
    Pilot cities include Yonkers, Mount Vernon, Port Chester, New Rochelle, and Poughkeepsie.

     

  •  The Financial Discovery Series

    Financial literacy programs for adults and families, featuring Budget Like a Boss and Money Adventure.
    Used in churches, nonprofits, and veterans organizations nationwide.

     

  •  Veterans 1,000,000 GIVEWAY

    Empowering veterans and their families through structured emotional intelligence and leadership training.
    Built by a Veteran. For Veterans.

     

  •  BrightPath Access Coalition

    National partnership network connecting municipalities, nonprofits, and sponsors to scale educational access.
    Every $25 sponsorship funds a seat and the Foundation matches it, doubling community impact.

Yes, It Really Is Possible!

“We don’t just fund education. We fund structure.
Because when people have structure, they can change everything.”
— Aaron B. Kershaw, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran & Founder, BrightPath Foundation
Email me today [email protected]

INTRODUCING

The BrightPath Foundation

Program & Campaign Portfolio

 

 

A) Million-Dollar Veteran Giveaway (2025)

Goal: Empower 1,000 veterans/families with sponsored access.

Structure:

  • 500 Ă— Veteran Basic/Plus Membership @ $1,700 value each → $850,000

  • 500 Ă— Financial Discovery Series seats @ $500 value each → $250,000
    Total Giveaway Value: ~$1,100,000 (messaged as “$1 Million+ in access”).

Pitch tiers for politicians/corporations:

  • $2,500 → 50 veteran seats

  • $5,000 → 100 veteran seats

Distribution: QR access passes tied to BrightPathAccess.org with public impact dashboard.

Veteran Plus

(sample sequence)

  1. What Is: Social-Emotional Learning

  2. BrightPath Mind

  3. BrightPath Teams

  4. Strategic Empathy

  5. The BrightPath Leader

  6. Budget Like a Boss (course + EN/ES PDFs)

  7. Money Adventure (5-hour course)

  8. Working with a Financial Advisor

  9. Veterans Benefits + Veterans Learning Pathway (orientation)

  10. Career & Education Transition
    (+ Steady in the Storm, Family Reset: Real Talk, Before It Spills, UTS: Why You Used…, Built From the Inside™, Compliance/Ethics Mini, Workplace Harassment Awareness, Builders/Entrepreneurship, Pathlight Mentor Certification, Resource Hub. Future courses auto-added.)

Financial Discovery Series

(veteran-lite)

  • Budget Like a Boss (course + EN/ES book)

  • Working with a Financial Advisor

  • What Is: Social-Emotional Learning (intro)

 

B) Citywide Financial Empowerment – $5.99 Campaign

Tagline: “90 Minutes. $5.99. A Brighter Path.”

Domains:

  • English → BrightPathAccess.org

  • Español → MiBrightPath.com

Purpose:
Public awareness and open access for all residents.
The Budget Like a Boss course — valued at $49.99 on the market and priced at $29.99 on THE BrightPath Academy — is offered for just $5.99 through city partnerships.

How It Works:
QR codes placed across city locations lead directly to a $5.99 registration page. No forms, no approvals — just instant access to financial education for everyone.

Use:
Implemented by municipalities through BrightPathNow to expand affordable financial literacy citywide.

Outcome:
Thousands of residents gain essential budgeting and emotional-spending awareness skills, while proceeds support veteran and family programs through THE BrightPath Foundation.

Courses Included ($5.99)

  1. Budget Like a Boss (90-minute flagship)

  2. What Is: Social-Emotional Learning (intro)

  3. Working With a Financial Advisor (mini)

 

C) Community Partnership Campaign – “We’ll Bet $21 on You. You Pay $9.”

Tagline: “It’s a $29.99 course. We’ll bet $21 on you.”

Domains:

  • English → BrightPathAccess.org

  • Español → MiBrightPath.com

Purpose:
A district- or sponsor-backed community challenge designed to show belief in residents’ ability to learn, finish, and grow.

How It Works:
Participants pay $9 for the same $29.99 BrightPath Academy course (valued at $49.99), while the Foundation “bets” the remaining $21—investing in each person’s success.

Use:
Ideal for partnerships with legislators, credit unions, and community leaders seeking a measurable impact program with no seat limits.

Outcome:
Broad community engagement, bilingual access, and verifiable completion data that demonstrate local impact and positive press for city partners.

Courses Included ($9 Bet21)

  1. Budget Like a Boss (full course; $49.99 value)

  2. What Is: Social-Emotional Learning (intro)

  3. Working With a Financial Advisor (mini)

  4. Digital Certificate of Completion

 

D) BrightPath Access Coalition

(Matched Seats)

Model: Every $25 sponsorship funds a seat; the Foundation matches 1:1.

Use:
Scales access across municipalities & nonprofits; ideal for churches, libraries, reentry, youth orgs.

Courses Delivered:
Typically the Financial Discovery Series starter set, with optional upgrades based on district or donor preferences.

The BrightPath Foundation

695 s Hillside rd., Wappingers Falls, NY 

845-600-9767

501c3 #7735173  -  EIN: 39-4913471