Explore AMPED's
Vision and Impact

 Founded in 2020, AMPED provides academic enrichment/tutoring, mentoring/career exploration, and parent advocacy/training. We're 100% volunteer-run. Under our guidance, mentors help girls develop into confident leaders in various career fields. Our teen leaders readily partner with new members, encouraging participation. Parent volunteers attend meetings and participate in events. As educators, we found that there is no connection between what our black and brown girls are learning and earning. Our successful experience with diverse learners sets us apart. We prioritize academic proficiency and ensure high schoolers graduate with distinctions. By giving voice and choice, we provide meaningful learning. We provide academically enriching, career-centered programs and mentoring for girls in grades 3-12 from San Antonio's East Side and surrounding Bexar County. We are proud to offer a robust academic program and top-notch mentoring services exclusively for girls in grades 3-12 hailing from San Antonio's East Side and surrounding Bexar County areas. "We are preventing another obstacle for an underserved community."

Founders

  • Carmen Grayson

    Carmen Grayson is a proud product of the Eastside community. She graduated from Sam Houston High School and earned a B.A. from Prairie View A&M University. With over 27 years of experience in education, Carmen holds Master of Education degrees in Special Education and Instructional Leadership. Her vast knowledge and experience in educational attainment have made her a valuable Differentiation Specialist and PD Architect. She has had the privilege of supporting children and adults across the country as a Trainer-of-Trainers, working in partnership with non-profits such as Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound, 100 Black Men of America, Inc., (Wimberly Initiative), and Literacy Design Collaborative.

    In the summer of 2020, Carmen co-founded AMPED, Inc. Carmen believes that underserved students should gain confidence in learning and be prepared for post-secondary transition with exposure to mentors who represent their cultural identity.

  • Chantel Turner

    Chantel Turner is a proud community member who matriculated from Highlands HS. She is an 18-year veteran of the San Antonio public school system, where she has worked as a teacher, instructional coach, and assistant principal. She is an expert coach and a driving force behind the transformation of failing schools. She has been instrumental in developing curricula and engaging workshop learning experiences. She is often invited to speaking engagements because of her unique speaking and delivery style.

    In 2020, she co-founded AMPED, a youth organization focused on academic success and opportunities for underprivileged children. Ms. Turner believes that with guidance, all of San Antonio's Eastside students can graduate prepared to be contributing members of the community.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

We are an academically focused, career-centered girls mentoring program.

We aim to propel San Antonio’s District 2 students into life-sustaining careers and social mobility by defending academic excellence, advancing mentoring, and igniting parent action holistically.

MISSION

Our purpose is to create meaningful engagement and encourage community-based relationships to support students with the best opportunity for positive academic and extra-curricular outcomes while attending District 2 schools.

VISION

PILLARS OF SUCCESS

We aim to empower students by emphasizing: SELF AWARENESS; HEALTH and WELLNESS; LIFE SKILLS and CAREER; and LEADERSHIP.