By OBSERVER Newsroom
Michael Lynch, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the youth focused nonprofit Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT), announced his candidacy for Sacramento City Council District 3 this week.
Lynch said his background in public policy, coupled with his experience as an education nonprofit leader make him qualified to help the community address the challenges it is facing.
“I have spent my career working to deliver a better future for youth that have too often been left behind and ensuring opportunity for all,” he said.
“But it is clear ensuring a brighter future for our youth, families and our community demands change that must start at the local policy level. That’s why I am running for City Council, to ensure our future is brighter and filled with opportunity for everyone who calls Sacramento home.”
In 2013, Lynch co-founded the youth nonprofit Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT), which is dedicated to closing the college opportunity gap for young men of color. Since launching in 2013, IYT has grown from serving 17 students at one school to 3,000 in more than 50 schools across Northern and Central California. The success is measurable: 99% of IYT scholars graduate high school on time, and 82% attend college.
“Michael is an accomplished leader who understands the needs in our community, from addressing homelessness, to closing the racial achievement gap, and ensuring our neighborhoods get their fair share of resources,” said Chet Hewitt, President and CEO of the Sierra Health Foundation.
Prior to founding IYT, he served in the State Capitol as a policy consultant and legislative adviser.
Lynch has lived in Sacramento since his freshman year in high school. He was raised by a single father and credits him and a group of community moms for giving him the support he needed to succeed. In 2006, he graduated from Valley High School in South Sacramento.