Through his experience in foster care and extensive research as a doctoral student at UCLA, Demontea Thompson aims to raise graduation rates for other foster youth.

Co-founder of the nonprofit organization Twinspire, Demontea and his twin brother, UFC alumnus and board member Tray, have helped numerous low-income and homeless youth by offering them support and mentorship through empowerment workshops and other programming.

“Once we illuminate one young person, they illuminate people around them. You can’t put a value on that.”

Now, as a student at UCLA, Demontea has focused much of his research on understanding the types of barriers that exist for youth and hopes to provide young people with the support and resources they need to succeed and, ultimately, move the needle on foster youth graduation rates.

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