Founded on the belief that talent is universal — opportunity should be too.

Empower Education Collective (EEC) was founded on a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves access to educational experiences that unlock their full potential—regardless of their zip code or circumstances.

As lifelong educators, Janet Barber and Zanitha Thomas have dedicated their careers to serving students and families in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Throughout their years in education, they witnessed firsthand the incredible potential within every child, as well as the challenges many students face outside the classroom. They recognized that learning should not stop when the school bell rings or when summer begins.

Together, they envisioned an organization that would bridge learning gaps, inspire curiosity, and create opportunities for young people to discover their talents through engaging, hands-on experiences. That vision became Empower Education Collective.

At EEC, we believe education extends far beyond textbooks. Our programs are intentionally designed to combine academic enrichment, STEM exploration, leadership development, social-emotional learning, career awareness, and family engagement. We strive to create safe, supportive environments where students are encouraged to ask questions, solve problems, build confidence, and dream bigger than they ever imagined.

One of our signature initiatives, Camp Brainwave, was created to combat summer learning loss while providing students with exciting opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, mathematics, literacy, the arts, and community leadership. Rather than viewing summer as a break from learning, we see it as an opportunity to accelerate growth, spark creativity, and prepare students for future success.

Our work is rooted in the belief that meaningful partnerships create stronger communities. We collaborate with schools, families, businesses, community organizations, and volunteers who share our commitment to ensuring every child has access to high-quality educational opportunities. Together, we are building a network of support that helps students succeed not only academically, but socially, emotionally, and personally.

As co-founders, we know that education has the power to transform lives because we have witnessed it every day in our classrooms and schools. We founded Empower Education Collective to extend that impact beyond the traditional school setting and into the community, where learning can flourish in new and exciting ways.

Our vision is to develop confident learners, compassionate leaders, and future innovators who are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and character to thrive in school, in their careers, and in life.

This is more than our organization. It is our calling.

Thank you for joining us as we empower the next generation—one student, one family, and one community at a time.