Our Story
Bright Paths DC is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization. Our staff are experienced educators and college and career access professionals. The Bright Paths DC leadership team has extensive expertise in education, community development, finance, and nonprofit management.
Meet the Team
Cherrye Jeter
Board Member
Cherrye Jeter is an educator, child and youth developmental strategist, and community leader dedicated to creating pathways for young people to thrive academically and beyond. With experience spanning youth development, program design, and systems leadership, she is passionate about removing barriers and building environments where students feel supported, capable, and seen. Cherrye brings a human-centered, equity-driven approach to her board service, grounded in the belief that every young person deserves access to opportunity, guidance, and lasting success.
Paul Penniman
Board Member
Paul Penniman has spent his career in education, first as an award-winning teacher and coach at the Edmund Burke School, in Washington, D.C., and later as the founder and Executive Director of Resources to Inspire Students and Educators, an educational nonprofit supporting D.C. public school students. After 20 years of successfully running the organization, Paul retired in 2022 to dedicate his time to mentoring young adults in D.C. Paul is extremely excited to be working with the dedicated team at Bright Paths DC.
Beth Harris
Board Member
Beth Harris is a college access and admissions counselor with over 15 years of experience supporting underrepresented students through the college admissions process. With expertise in college exploration, applications, and enrollment, as well as FAFSA completion, scholarships, and grants, Beth helps students and families make informed, financially responsible decisions. She is committed to demystifying the cost of higher education and empowering first-generation and underserved students to pursue postsecondary success.
Grant Przybyla
Tutor
Grant Przybyla has been working as an academic and test preparation tutor since
2019. Over the last seven years, he has helped hundreds of students across the Washington, D.C. area with Math, English, History, and SAT/ACT preparation. Previously, he worked as an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher in the Czech Republic. When he's not tutoring, you can find him biking on the Metropolitan Branch Trail, falling off of walls at the DC Bouldering Project, or cheering on the Washington Spirit at Audi Field. Grant graduated from Washington and Lee University in 2017 with a BA in Economics and minors in Mathematics and Art History.
Brendan Cusack
Tutor
Brendan Cusack is an experienced science and math tutor with over a decade of teaching students in chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics. He has worked with hundreds of students, helping them build strong conceptual foundations and achieve top scores on standardized exams, including the SAT and MCAT.
In addition to running his own tutoring business, Brendan is passionate about expanding access to high-quality education and is excited to support students through his work with Bright Paths DC.
Peter Jolley
Media & Communications
Peter Jolley has been working with nonprofits since 2019 when he graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in History and Political Science. He started his work in the public sector by helping the unhoused in Cleveland. After moving to Richmond, Virginia, Peter continued to work for various museums such as the Children's Museum and Valentine Museum.
As an advocate for education and an experienced nonprofit public-service professional, Peter believes in the mission of Bright Paths DC to provide life-changing tutoring and mentoring opportunities to DC students.
Meet the Director
David Thurston is a Washington, D.C. native with many years of teaching and tutoring experience, supporting middle school, high school, and college students. For over a decade, David has worked as a tutor and college-access advisor in the D.C. public schools. Bringing deep expertise in ELA, organizational skills, and college readiness, David is dedicated to ensuring D.C. public school students receive the highest tier of academic and career mentorship.