College wasn’t on his radar. This nonprofit helped him — and hundreds more

• Future Urban Leaders is a nonprofit organization that started in 2015 that serves about 150 students annually.
• Future Urban Leaders provides real-world experiences and hands-on learning to supports students in Milwaukee from age four to 18.
• After celebrating the program’s tenth anniversary, staff would like to expand the program.

Maximus Bryant is a self-described gearhead, but he never knew what he wanted to do with his knack for cars and handiwork.

In the back of his mind, though, was his teacher’s voice nudging him to consider college. Ross Romenesko, a former Milwaukee Public Schools teacher, recognized Bryant’s interests and pushed him toward engineering.

Bryant graduated from the Milwaukee School of Engineering in 2025 and works for Harley-Davidson. Without Romenesko, he said he probably wouldn’t have even studied electrical engineering.

Hundreds of other Milwaukee students have also seen their life trajectories shift thanks to encouragement from Romenesko and Future Urban Leaders, the nonprofit organization he co-founded in 2015. Bryant was in the first class of 13 students.

The nonprofit’s tight-knit support system and STEM-based activities helped Bryant learn his interests and find the right pathway for him after high school.

“[Future Urban Leaders] is not just an organization, [it’s] a family,” Bryant said. “[Future Urban Leaders] is about improving you as an individual first.”

The nonprofit celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2025, and staff has been reflecting on ways to expand and continue serving Milwaukee’s youth.

Future Urban Leaders serves K4 through high school students in Milwaukee

Founded by Romenesko and local business executive Brandon Vonck, the nonprofit serves young people in Milwaukee from ages 4 to 18.

Grade K4-8 students at Milwaukee College Prep Lloyd Street Campus can participate in the nonprofit’s programming. They focus on personal, emotional and creative skills.

“[We] start that early because you’re tapping into a young mind that’s very impressionable, very moldable,” said Darnell Hamilton, the nonprofit’s executive director.

High school programming is open to students citywide. They learn leadership skills and explore post-secondary and career opportunities.

“They gave us the resources to be able to expand ourselves,” said Trinitee Turner, a Future Urban Leaders alumna and incoming sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The ultimate goal is to mold students as people and provide tools and opportunities for students to ultimately find a path in college, trades or otherwise.

“It’s our job … that before you walk across the stage that we’ve done our part in this village mindset … to be a part of you figuring out what the next destination of your pathway is,” Hamilton said.

The program requires students to apply, though every eligible student has been accepted to date. The nonprofit serves about 150 students annually.

It’s been more than 10 years. Is the program successful?

To understand the past decade of program effectiveness, staff surveyed parents and students.

About 85% of parents said the nonprofit supported their children’s leadership skills, 90% of parents were satisfied with program quality and 90% of parents were pleased with staff engagement in the development of their children.

The nonprofit also monitors student retention, academic success, high school graduation and post-secondary plans. Staff keep in touch with students even after they graduate.

During the school year, staff meet regularly with students to hear how they are doing in school, take them on college and workplace visits, prepare for events and interviews, play golf and more.

What will the future of the program look like?

Hamilton hopes to help larger classes of students in the future if staffing can also increase.

The nonprofit currently has three part-time and three full-time employees on staff.

Hamilton also hopes to improve marketing and make more people aware of the organization.

Future Urban Leaders forms lifelong connections

Students can be in the program for up to 14 years but some alumni choose to stay connected even beyond that.

Bryant said staff are still invested in his day-to-day life, including some he now calls his friends. He helped Romenesko set up a play set for his daughters in his backyard in June.

Turner feels the same way. Her younger sister is now enrolled in the program. When Turner picks her up, she can’t help but stay and chat with staff that helped her during her own time in the program.