Jeremiah is a 2012 Bezos Scholar and the man behind the BSP newsletter Reading, Watching, Listening recommendations! As a Scholar, Jeremiah gained the leadership and event planning skills needed to launch his Community Change Project, Envision U: Community, College, Career, focused on increasing high school graduation rates and students' college readiness.

Jeremiah is the first-ever Scholar to now work for the Bezos Family Foundation as a Program Associate. In his current role, he provides support to the Managing Directors, Students Rebuild and various foundation teams assisting with research, grant making, and ensuring general due diligence.

When not at work, Jeremiah volunteers on the board of Sponsors for Educational Opportunity, an organization that helps transform low-income public high school students into confident college graduates. Jeremiah lives in Wheatley Heights, an area in Long Island, NY and enjoys traveling with friends, visiting museums and hosting game nights.

Enjoy getting to know Jeremiah through ten semi-random questions and answers.

Share a favorite memory from when you were a Scholar: Staying up late at the St. Regis hotel, talking about life with my fellow Scholars. We had known each other for less than a week but in moments like those, it felt as though we had known each other for so much longer.

What is currently piquing your interest? At the moment I am interested in learning more about how to cook healthy and organic meals for myself and friends.

If you had a theme song, what would it be and why? My theme song would be All Figured Out by Big Sean. The song is a constant reminder to keep a growth mindset and to continue increasing your knowledge at every stage of life.

Reflecting on a challenge you have faced, what was a choice you made during that time and the change that occurred because of it? I once had the challenge of figuring out ways to keep in touch with friends who moved away after college. I made the choice to take the initiative to engage in activities where we could stay in touch. We had phone and video calls, watched and debriefed Netflix shows and played video games which allowed us to interface and catch up despite being on different coasts.

You form the Reading, Watching, Listening recommendation section of the newsletter each month, share more about what it’s like to make those recommendations. My goal is for the content to be informative, thought-provoking, and applicable to the lives and work of the Scholar community. I work hard on the construction of the recommendations so that content reflects Scholars interests, speaks to what Scholars are probably thinking about and discussing, or that opens their minds to engage with new and interesting topics and content.

At this moment in your life, what are you most proud of? At this moment I am most proud of the work I have been able to do at the Bezos Family Foundation and continuing the work of supporting our incredible partners.

Where is the next place on your travel bucket list? Why this location? My next travel location is Trinidad! I have never been before, but my family is from there and I would love to try the Trinidadian food and see the country I have heard about from my family for years.

If you had a podcast, what would it be about? If I had a podcast, it would be about how to budget while living in NYC, which is an expensive place to live.

What is something you've learned that you'd offer to others in the BSP Alum Network as advice? A piece of advice I would offer to Scholars is to invest in at least two monthly self-care activities. I recommend getting a professional back massage at a reputable spa as these can increase your health and help decrease your cortisol levels and the stress that accumulates in your body.

What is the one thing you’re deeply grateful for right now? I feel deeply grateful for the friendships I have built over the years. I believe caring for and about other people gives life meaning.

We’re grateful to have you as part of the Scholar community. Thank you, Jeremiah!