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» LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER

Welcome to The Global College Pipeline Initiative!

Greetings! I’m April Hibbler, a proud native of Memphis, Tennessee and the founder of the Global College Pipeline Initiative (GCP).

I believe deeply in the unlimited potential of every human being—and I’ve seen firsthand the consequences when that potential is stifled by unequal access to opportunity. That belief fuels my life’s mission: to create bold, equitable solutions that ensure all students—regardless of background—have access to a future worth fighting for.

The Global College Pipeline Initiative was born from the desire to transform educational experiences for socially and economically disadvantaged students. As cities like Memphis grow and rebrand, too many communities remain on the margins—left behind by progress. Parents’ voices go unheard, and students lack critical exposure, mentorship, and preparation for the professional world.

As a product of public schools and universities, I know that with the right resources and intentional support, those outcomes can change. GCP bridges the gap between high school, college, and career by providing academic, social, and leadership development through a comprehensive support system.

Our model nurtures cultural fluency, emotional resilience, financial literacy, academic readiness, and career preparation. We don’t just prepare students to go to college—we prepare them to succeed in college and to lead beyond college.

The 21st century demands globally minded, community-grounded leaders. As a global citizen myself, I am honored to lead an initiative that helps students develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive in today’s interconnected world. GCP brings together educators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to build a future that reflects the brilliance of every student we serve.

As my personal hero Nelson Mandela once said, “No country can really develop unless its citizens are educated. Any nation that is progressive is led by people who have had the privilege of studying.”

If we want tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and change-makers, we must build the pipeline today.

Thank you for being part of this movement.

Warmly,
April Hibbler
Founder & Executive Director
The Global College Pipeline Initiative

» Board of Directors

  • Giovanni Dortch, Professor at The University of Memphis & Rhodes College & Principal Consultant at Zenziles Way Consulting
  • Latisha Taylor, Accountant at Taylor Accounting Service
  • April Hibbler, Founder of The Global College Pipeline Initiative

All volunteer members of the Board except the Treasurer are members of the Board's Audit Committee, and all volunteer Directors are members of the Compensation Committee except for the Board Chair.

» Board and Community Advisors

  • Larry Banks, CPA at Banks Accounting Services
  • Wells Fargo at Work Program, Financial Literacy Consultant
  • Attorney Field, Turner Field, PLLC

» Team Directors

  • April Hibbler, Executive Director
  • Cornelius Barnes, Director of Academic Enrichment
  • Eduard Mandell, Director of Global Engagement
  • Dr. Brenda Caldwell, Director of Social and Emotional Learning