For most students, spring break means relaxing at home or with friends. Instead of taking a vacation, the high school sophomores in JPMorgan Chase’s program, The Fellowship Initiative (TFI), used their spring breaks to engage in learning activities designed to help them discover new talents, build their skills, and deepen connections to their JPMorgan Chase mentors.
 
Through a partnership with Groundswell, the TFI Fellows participated in conversations about what it means to be successful, and how to achieve their personal and professional goals. Two teams created two murals in New York, and another two teams painted two more murals in Los Angeles. All of the art was developed and painted by the TFI Fellows, under the direction of the Groundswell artists. This project provided the TFI Fellows with opportunities to hone their research, observation, analysis, and collaboration skills. TFI mentors contributed to early brainstorm sessions by discussing strategies for achieving goals, focusing on personal growth, and being successful in today’s competitive economy.
 
The New York team led by Angel Garcia created “The Success of Knowledge.” Some of the key imagery in the “The Success of Knowledge” are the butterfly wings, the trophy in the center, vines, flowers, and stairs. The butterfly wings on each side of the design represents the ability to overcome obstacles. The center image of this mural contains a trophy coming out of the top of a head, with hands holding it up, as well as vines that form the shape of a brain. This symbolizes the importance of gaining knowledge and education. The vines and flowers growing out of the trophy and throughout the mural represent the growth of the young men into successful adults.