Turning hope into reality.
MMBay student alumnus Florante M. is a Class of 2021 graduate of MMBay, and recently matriculated at U.C. Berkeley - a top public university in California. Florante is majoring in Data Science and is on a pre-medicine track in his studies at U.C. Berkeley. Florante cites his personal experience with health issues as a catalyst for his interest in medicine, and in particular his desire to help other low-income families access affordable, high-quality medical treatment in this country.
Florante had this to say about how MMBay helped him reach his college dreams and bolstered his motivation to pursue his career interests: "As a low-income student from a single parent home, I had hopes for myself and for my family, but I didn't always believe they could come true. Minds Matter Bay Area and my mentors helped me find the confidence to investigate my interests. I spent my summers at MMBay investigating the lack of access to healthcare in marginalized populations who have a higher risk of chronic diseases. As I continue in my studies at U.C. Berkeley, I hope to discover preventative measures for chronic illnesses, and to use my knowledge to better care for myself and advocate for quality treatment for my community." Due to guidance from MMBay during the college application process, more than 72% of Florante's college costs at U.C. Berkeley are covered by scholarships.