Keynote Speaker of the 2024 Leading Houston Forward Luncheon
As YES Prep celebrated its annual 8th Annual Leading Houston Forward Luncheon, we were thrilled to welcome back one of our own, Mayra Valle, as this year’s keynote speaker. Mayra, an education consultant, facilitator, strategist and future author, took the stage to share her inspiring journey from a YES Prep student to a prominent advocate for college access.
A Story of Perseverance and Purpose
Mayra’s story is both powerful and personal. As a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and a first-generation college graduate, she understands the challenges faced by students in underserved communities. “Every time I walked across a graduation stage, I never forgot about the family and community members who helped me achieve what felt impossible,” Mayra shared. These experiences have been her guiding light and serve as a foundation for her work, aiming to expand college access and support Spanish-speaking families through her consultancy, Mayra V Strategy | Powered by Valle Conmigo LLC.
With the help of full scholarships, including the Gates Millennium Scholarship, Mayra earned her bachelor's degree from Connecticut College and her master's degree from Texas A&M University. Her success is a testament to her relentless determination and gratitude toward the mentors and family members who encouraged her dreams.
From YES Prep Student to Changemaker
As a founding member of YES Prep North Central Secondary’s first graduating class, Mayra developed her passion for service early on. “My graduating class had fewer than 50 students,” she recalled, “and we all spent countless hours in community service.” By senior year, she had dedicated over 300 hours to serving her community, building lifelong bonds with classmates and mentors along the way.
The YES Prep community gave Mayra her first taste of college preparation and planted the seeds of her passion for educational equity. Among the mentors who left a lasting impact were Mr. Reed, who encouraged her to explore her cultural heritage through her studies, and Ms. Brannigan, who inspired Mayra on college tours, treating each student with care as if they were family. For Mayra, these formative experiences solidified her resolve to support the next generation of students.
A Career Dedicated to Access and Equity
After her time at YES Prep, Mayra continued her journey with the Posse Foundation, where she facilitated cross-cultural dialogues and saw firsthand the self-doubt that many students feel. Wanting to make a broader impact, she joined the EMERGE Fellowship, where she later became Director of Learning and Design. There, she developed culturally responsive college access curriculum that helped students see themselves in the opportunities ahead. “Through the creation of culturally responsive curriculum, our students felt seen,” she shared.
Her entrepreneurial venture, Valle Conmigo LLC, aims to empower students and educators alike, advocating for college options that reflect each student’s unique strengths and aspirations. Her upcoming book is a heartfelt guide for first-generation students navigating the complexities of higher education, a true “love letter” to those who, like her, are pioneering new paths.
A Message of Gratitude and Responsibility
Reflecting on her role as keynote speaker, Mayra expressed deep gratitude for her family and mentors. “Everyone hopes for those rare moments in life to express gratitude to loved ones publicly,” she said. “I had that moment at the luncheon.” She also emphasized the importance of supporting the next generation of leaders, calling on the audience to “say YES” to mentorship.
In her words, “We are always both the student and the teacher. When we embrace both roles, our communities thrive exponentially.”
The Importance of YES Prep
Mayra believes that YES Prep is essential for students who may not have access to opportunities that expand their worldviews and help them explore post-secondary options. “In my over 10 years of experience in education, I can confidently say that I have never met a student who was not worthy of pursuing their wildest dreams,” she said. YES Prep not only introduced her to the possibility of college but also enabled her to make an informed choice about her future.
She reflected on her travel experiences, sharing how YES Prep’s college tours and global service trips allowed her to gain new perspectives before even finishing high school. These transformative experiences helped her see herself in a larger world, and they’re a crucial part of what she believes YES Prep should continue to offer future students.
Mayra’s keynote left our audience with a renewed sense of purpose. Her story is a powerful reminder of the impact of community and mentorship in shaping a generation of leaders ready to give back. As we look forward, her journey shows the power of YES Prep to continue creating opportunities that empower students to achieve their dreams and lift their communities.
As Mayra’s journey demonstrates, YES Prep is committed to providing students with transformative experiences that open doors to lifelong success. If you’d like your child to have the same opportunities as Mayra, now is the time to apply! The application for our 2025-2026 school year lottery is open, and YES Prep is excited to welcome new students ready to explore their full potential. Don’t miss out—apply today and set your child on a path toward a bright future with YES Prep.