Nurturing Tomorrow's Leaders
KAN bridges corporate America and the highly employable diverse talent pool.
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HBCU Heroes Online Academy has merged with Keystone Advisory Network (KAN)

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Nurturing Tomorrow's Leaders:
Upskilling with KAN Today

KAN recognizes the importance of investing in a diverse pipeline of future leaders. We focus on providing young professionals from diverse backgrounds with the tools and opportunities they need to excel in today's competitive job market. Here's how:

Providing a Platform for Growth
KAN connects corporations with a vast and diverse pool of young professionals eager to contribute their talents.
Tailored Upskilling Programs
KAN offers a range of programs designed to meet the specific needs of today's workforce including online classes, corporate-led webinars, and corporate mentorship programs.
Creating a Level Playing Field
KAN promotes upskilling to empower diversity in the workforce for underrepresented groups, including women and minorities. 
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Igniting Excellence, One Solution at a Time
Welcome to KAN—where diversity isn't just a buzzword; it’s our mantra. We help companies diversify their workforce, support inclusive recruitment, and contribute to a brighter, more equitable future. Our offerings are tailored for organizations who want to make a real impact. Here’s how we’re making waves:
Diverse Talent Pool
We’re the ultimate destination for multicultural and underrepresented candidates, offering a supportive community where career planning and solutions abound. Think of us as your friendly neighborhood career superhero.
Webinars
Say goodbye to boring online meetings. Our webinars are dynamic virtual sessions that provide real-time interaction between companies and potential recruits. It’s like speed dating, but for careers.
Mentorship Programs
Upskill your employees by having them mentor students, recent graduates, and young alumni. It’s a win-win: your team grows, and you get to bask in the glow of doing good.
Experiential Onsite Events
Forget stale networking events. Our speed networking, panel discussions, and workshops are high-energy and designed to engage diverse students in meaningful ways.
Upskilled Talent Pool
From webinars to workshops, we offer a smorgasbord of courses and onsite activations that upskill our talent pool. The result? A lineup of qualified candidates ready hit the ground running.
Reporting
We provide our clients with robust reports on engagement, interactions, and metrics. You’ll have all the data you need to prove the value of your interaction.
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Achieve Success with KAN: Our Impact by the Numbers
89%
of diverse students and candidates who participate in our programs secure jobs or internships within their first year.
100%
of students who engage in our career prep or mentorship webinars receive stipends.
82%
of our student and candidate population maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher, demonstrating their academic excellence.
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Our Founders:
Tracey Pennywell & Heyward Damon, Jr.
‍Keystone Advisory Network, LLC. (KAN) was founded by Tracey Pennywell, a DEI leader and founder of HBCU Heroes (501c3) and Heyward Damon, Jr., a seasoned corporate strategist and board chairman of HBCU Week, Inc. (501c3).

Their superpower: they share a passion for bridging the gap by connecting upskilled, diverse talent with corporate America.
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Pennywell created HBCU Heroes Online Academy, an extremely successful virtual platform to connect Fortune 500 companies to HBCU students via mentorship webinars and corporate volunteering initiatives. Current and former clients include: Amazon, Aflac, JPMorgan Chase, Twilio, Fitch Ratings, Paul Hastings, Crowdstrike, Danaher, and more.

During Damon's tenure as board chairman, HBCU Week has provided over $80m in scholarships to talented students attending HBCUs.

Building on the success of HBCU Heroes, the dynamic duo created KAN to serve a broader audience of diverse talent across America from traditional colleges/universities to Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and more.

Through webinars, mentorship, and AI-driven programs, KAN builds a robust community of highly qualified, underrepresented candidates, helping companies access diverse talent and create meaningful, scalable impact in today’s competitive market.
Empowering Talent to Connect and Grow
Join our community to upskill and connect with top corporations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I learn more about booking a mentorship program or webinar with KAN?

To learn more about booking a mentorship program or webinar with KAN and discuss your specific requirements, you can visit the "Contact Us" section of our website.

Who are the founders of KAN and what is their experience in this field?

Tracey Pennywell and Heyward Damon are the co-founders of KAN. Pennywell has over 25 years of experience working with corporations and non-profit organizations, specializing in DEI and connecting companies with top-tier diverse talent. She has a proven track record of hosting successful career fests and events, connecting corporations with HBCUs, and facilitating corporate partnerships that promote diversity and inclusion. Damon brings his expertise in event planning and financial management to KAN. He has held leadership positions in organizations like Deloitte and DuPont, showcasing his experience in managing finances and working with diverse teams.

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How can my company benefit from partnering with KAN for mentorship or webinar opportunities?

Partnering with KAN for mentorship or webinar opportunities can benefit your company in several ways:

  • Access Pipeline of Diverse Talent: KAN provides a direct link to a targeted pool of skilled and upskilled diverse candidates, including students, recent graduates, and young alumni from various backgrounds.
  • Enhance CSR Impact: By investing in mentorship programs and career development initiatives through KAN, your company can demonstrate its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion while making a tangible difference in the lives of underrepresented individuals.
  • Drive Employee Engagement: Offering mentorship opportunities through KAN allows your employees to share their skills and expertise, fostering a culture of learning and development within your organization. This approach aligns with "influencer marketing,” encouraging employees at all levels to participate in and own the company's social impact initiatives.
  • Strengthen Your Employer Brand: Partnering with an organization dedicated to diversity and inclusion strengthens your employer brand, attracting top talent who value these principles.
  • Achieve Strategic Diversity and Social Impact Goals: KAN's focus on connecting corporations with diverse talent aligns with a strategic approach to social impact, enabling you to maximize your social impact and talent acquisition efforts simultaneously.
What types of mentorship programs and webinars does KAN offer?

KAN connects corporations with diverse talent through career prep webinars and virtual mentorship programs. KAN specializes in working with niche community organizations focusing on connecting with diverse talent.

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