Celebrating 20 Years of Breakthrough: Alum Spotlight on Mai Xee Vang

As Breakthrough Twin Cities marks 20 years of inspiring stories, we are proud to celebrate the alumni whose journeys embody the heart of our mission. One of those alumni is Mai Xee Vang, Class of 2018, whose path from Breakthrough student to educator shines as a powerful example of how education transforms lives.

When Mai Xee Vang first heard about Breakthrough Twin Cities (then Breakthrough Saint Paul) as a sixth grader, she knew it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.

“Coming from a first-generation background that highly values education, I immediately jumped at the chance to apply for the program—even if it meant ‘losing out on my summer vacation,’ as one of my friends put it,” Mai Xee recalls.

That choice shaped her life.

Mai Xee describes her years at Breakthrough as lively, joyful, and transformative. As a sometimes shy student, she found herself stepping outside of her comfort zone thanks to the encouragement of her peers and Teaching Fellows.

“Dancing in the hallways during passing time, cheering during lunch, creating activities for a Friday event, making a t-shirt design, participating in ASM, becoming Speaker of the House, joining the Breakthrough Leaders Program, studying for the ACTs—there was so much that I was able to experience and live through during my time as a Breakthrough student. I am forever grateful for Breakthrough and all it has done for me.”

Celebrating 20 Years of Breakthrough: Alum Spotlight on Aunrika Tucker-Shabazz

As Breakthrough Twin Cities celebrates 20 years of empowering students and educators, we are honored to highlight the voices of alumni whose stories reflect both our mission and the transformative power of education. One of those voices belongs to Aunrika Tucker-Shabazz, a 2013 BTC alum whose journey from student to educator and advocate exemplifies resilience, reflection, and a fierce commitment to justice.

Aunrika’s introduction to Breakthrough Twin Cities began in sixth grade at Farnsworth Aerospace Magnet School in Saint Paul. She recalls, “Some of the Breakthrough staff at the time came and recruited in Mrs. Schreiber’s classroom. I took home the folder and after several rounds of deliberations, completed my application and was successfully enrolled in the program.“

Her early experiences at BTC were foundational. “I was one of the first cohorts that were foundational to the identity and representation of Breakthrough Twin Cities,” Aunrika said. Despite the joy and opportunity BTC brought, she also navigated significant personal challenges: “I was also experiencing significant housing instability and homelessness that took a great deal of backstage labor to conceal from my classmates.“

Even as her family moved out of state, BTC remained a lifeline. “The Breakthrough staff at the time helped me by sending me a laptop and helping me as one of the first remote students the program ever had.“

BTC’s impact continued through high school. From college campus visits to ACT prep, essay coaching, and financial aid guidance, Aunrika credits the program with preparing her for college and beyond. She fondly remembers her essay coach, Chris Porter, who connected her with her host family at Williams College: “With the sponsorship of 3M and Target, and General Mills, the interconnected networks of the nonprofit really helped subsidize the cost of living as a low-income student at a private college.“

Returning as a BTC staff member was a full-circle moment: “It was my first opportunity to develop an identity as an educator and establish relationships with middle school students who were extremely marginalized.” Aunrika began to understand systemic barriers through a collective lens: “I was able to understand how gender pay gaps, racial segregation and discrimination, housing affordability and accessibility were important barriers to success.“

Throughout her BTC journey, one message stuck with her: “Director Reimnitz and the team made sure I understood the danger of a single story by giving me the permission to integrate the two versions of myself. BTC support looked like maintaining connection through lowering the stakes for making mistakes. A safe space to fail, as much as it had been a safe place to succeed.“

Looking back on her BTC experience, she reflects: “My experience with the organization helped me come to understand the meaning of upward mobility, and how the experience of poverty during childhood can affect the returns on investment for urban, working-class Black girls achieving one slice of the American dream.“

When asked to describe BTC in one word, Aunrika doesn’t hesitate: “BOOYAH! This word really helped reframe my understanding of homework and my own relationship to language. Decades later, I still yell it out randomly throughout the day.“

Now 30, Aunrika is a community organizing and research development project manager for two anti-sexual violence, anti-incest organizations. She is also an aunt, a sister, a mental health advocate, and a storyteller.

Aunrika Tucker-Shabazz’s journey reminds us that Breakthrough is not just about academic success—it’s about transformation, growth, and the freedom to be your whole self.  

Celebrating 20 Years of Breakthrough: Alum Spotlight on Julie Xiong

As Breakthrough Twin Cities marks its 20th anniversary, we’re proud to highlight the voices and journeys of those who have grown through the program. Today, we’re thrilled to share the story of Julie Xiong, a student and Teaching Fellow alum whose Breakthrough journey began with a simple spark: sibling stories filled with fun and laughter.

From Stories to Summers of Joy

Julie joined Breakthrough the summer after sixth grade, inspired by the excitement her siblings brought home. “The summers were filled with lots of learning (academically and socially) and full of laughter,” she said.

That early joy inspired her to return as a Teaching Fellow, where she discovered even deeper layers of growth and connection.