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The Tarrant To & Through (T3) Partnership, which launched in 2020, celebrated its first four–year graduating class on Oct. 29 at Tarrant County College's Trinity River Campus.
This program, initially funded with a multimillion-dollar gift from the Rainwater Foundation and led by Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker prior to her election, is now fully realized given its first four-year program has been completed.
In collab with the Fort Worth Mayor's Council on Education & Workforce Development and the City of Arlington, the T3 initiative oversaw 373 students graduate from five of its partner institutions of higher education.
"This inaugural class of graduating T3 Scholars is a huge milestone. These students embody a new generation of leaders, innovators and skilled professionals," said Natalie Young Williams, executive director of T3 Partnership. "Their achievements illustrate the incredible potential that emerges when students receive comprehensive support and clear pathways through their educational journey. They are a shining example of what our community can accomplish when we unite to empower our youth and invest in their futures. As we celebrate their success, we are reminded that each of these graduates promise a brighter tomorrow for our community."
The way the T3 Partnership works is by providing students with a look at some opportunities that might interest them after high school. Eligible students for the T3 program will then receive scholarship funding, along with mentorship, persistence coaching, and resources to T3 partner colleges and universities.
Once enrolled in T3, students will receive help with the skills and experience they will need to thrive in the healthcare industry, as well as the technology, engineering, and education fields. This initiative also thrives to give each student the competitive skills they need to not only get the job but be a success in it.
T3 is a partnership that includes districts, colleges, universities, employers, and organizations, all anchored by one goal – to serve students and families in Tarrant County. This program is truly geared to help anyone trying to reach their next career step by offering mentorship in college and career pathways. Some of the T3 Pathways to Careers sponsors include the City of Fort Worth, Whitley Penn, Lockheed Martin, and Texas Health.
"Fort Worth's continued success hinges on building a workforce ready to support our diverse economy and meet the demands of our growing industries," Parker said. "Through organizations like T3 and the dedicated efforts of our Mayor's Council on Education & Workforce Development, we're creating an infrastructure where education and economic opportunity work hand-in-hand. Each T3 Scholar who graduates represents a step toward building a talent pipeline that meets the needs of our evolving job market and secures Fort Worth's future as a national leader."
Other speakers at this event included Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, Robert Allen, managing partner at Kelly Hart Hallman, plus a T3 Board member Marianne Auld, and Natalie Young Williams, executive director of T3 Partnership. Also present to speak at this inaugural event were T3 scholars Baraka Mirambi and Gizelle Hernandez.
"The City of Arlington is proud to stand alongside T3 and the Fort Worth Mayor's Council as we accelerate clear pathways and bright futures for students across Tarrant County," said Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, who also spoke during the event. "By investing in our local talent, we're nurturing the next generation of leaders and ensuring our city's continued growth and success. The partnerships we are building today will yield benefits for our community now and for decades to come."
