Bickel & Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program Showcases Top Leaders

May 13, 2010 — Dallas Weekly reports that nine high school seniors participating in the Bickel & Brewer Foundation Future leaders Program (FLP) have received over $1 million in scholarships and over 25 college acceptance letters. In addition, FLP seniors Semmey Neguse and Efrain Vera received the prestigious Gates Milennium Scholarship. 

The FLP's Class of 2010 was honored at a recognition ceremony, held April 29, at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters. Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins shared the keynote address — "encouraging the students to work hard to achieve their goals." 

The article states that the "ever-growing" FLP provides "premium academic instruction and specialized leadership training for 160 students, fifth through twelfth grade, from Oak Cliff, South Dallas and East Dallas." The program benefits from a collaboration between public and private school teachers.

According to the article, the FLP's graduating class has committed to institutions such as Morehouse College, The University of North Texas, and The University of Houston. 

The Palm Beach Post: A Friendly War of Words

April 17, 2010 — The Palm Beach Post reports that two Palm Beach County high school teams have advanced to the oral debate finals of the Bickel & Brewer / New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF). The teams have won an all-expenses paid trip to New York City, where the "stakes are high," with teams competing for a $10,000 grand prize.

The publication reports that the IPPF is the first and only debate contest in which high school students participate in written and oral debates on public policy. During the 2009-10 contest, more than 230 teams from around the world submitted qualifying round essays on whether the United Nations should substantially increase humanitarian aid for people in poverty. 

"Sometimes you have to go through hundreds of law papers or scholarly documents to find a single concept or quote we need to argue," said Grace Lee, a 16-year-old Atlantic High School junior. "I'm definitely nervous. We have some hard competition." 

Scott Epstein, who coaches the Atlantic team, told the publication he's proud of his students.

"Nothing surprises me with this group of kids," he said. "I expect great things from them." 

Dallas Morning News: Never Too Soon to Learn to Lead

June 3, 2006 — The Dallas Morning News (DMN) reports that lawyers John Bickel and Bill Brewer "take pride not only in providing legal service for their clients, but also in taking a genuine interest in the communities where those clients live." The article details the many ways in which Bickel & Brewer are giving back — in particular by developing and funding the Future Leaders Program, which provides "after-school academic resources and leadership training for middle school students from South Dallas and Oak Cliff." 

The report details how the program centers around a public-private partnership between schools and teachers from the Dallas Independent School District and those from private schools, including The Hockaday School, St. Mark's School of Texas, and the Greenhill School.

According to the report, the program, which is fully funded by the Bickel & Brewer Foundation, served 70 students during the 2004-05 school year, but expects to serve about 100 during the upcoming school year. 

"We understand that these kids are our greatest influence," Brewer told the DMN. "You can help a child in seeing themselves and seeing their lives being elevated to a level of them being able to impact someone else." 

The article notes that Brewer's focus on the community led to him receiving the Hero for Children award in 2005 from the Texas State Board of Education. 

Elite News Reports on Launch of Bickel & Brewer Future Leaders Program

October 25, 2002 — Elite News in Dallas reports that the Bickel & Brewer Foundation has launched a new leadership development program for a select group of 5th and 6th grade students from South Dallas. Designed and funded by the Foundation, the "Future Leaders Program" involves a public-private partnership between South Dallas public schools J. P. Starks Elementary and Billy Earl Dade Learning Center and "two of the city's most prominent private schools," The St. Mark's School of Texas and The Hockaday School.

 The report, titled “Bickel & Brewer Help Launch Leadership Development Program,” states, "In a novel approach to Dallas-area education, teachers from the participating private and public schools worked hand-in-hand to build the educational curriculum. They are also working side-by-side in the classroom, teaming to teach the students and create a dynamic learning environment."

 "By traveling outside of South Dallas to participate in the program, these students will be exposed to a different learning environment and exposed to many new exciting possibilities," Dallas Independent School District Area Superintendent Shirley Ison-Newsome told the publication.

 The inaugural FLP class includes 20 students. Elite News notes that the Bickel & Brewer Foundation is funded by the national litigation firm of Bickel & Brewer.