We are so excited to announce that Tai Abrams, Founder & CEO of AdmissionSquad, will be our keynote speaker at Harlem STEM Up’s National STE(a)M Day Celebration & Career Day on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Harlem YMCA (10 AM – 1 PM). Her story, mission, and ongoing work make her the perfect person to inspire our students, and we can’t wait for her to join us.
Who Is Tai Abrams?
Tai Abrams is a dynamic educator, entrepreneur, and change-maker. She graduated from the Bronx High School of Science and holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Duke University as well as a master’s in mathematics education from Brooklyn College.
In 2016, Tai founded AdmissionSquad, a nonprofit organization with a clear and bold mission: to help talented middle school students—particularly from underrepresented backgrounds—gain admission to New York City’s top public high schools through high-quality test preparation, mentorship, and application coaching.
She has said that inequities in access to information and resources for high-stakes exams drove her to build a solution. Over the years, AdmissionSquad has scaled its support to reach hundreds of families across New York City, helping to demystify the admissions process and raise the odds of success for students who might otherwise be left out.
What AdmissionSquad Does — And Why It Matters
AdmissionSquad is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that combines multiple strategies in service of educational equity. Here is a breakdown of their core offerings:
- Test Prep & Academic Enrichment: Students receive rigorous training in content areas central to specialized high school entrance exams (like the SHSAT) as well as foundational middle school skills.
- Application & Interview Coaching: AdmissionSquad supports students and families through the entire high school admissions process—how to select schools, how to write about themselves, how to prepare for interviews and recommendations.
- Mentorship & Soft Skills: The program also emphasizes growth in “non-content” areas—study habits, time management, confidence, and navigating new academic environments.
- Parent Education & Workshops: Because families often need support navigating this complex process too, AdmissionSquad offers workshops that explain the admissions terrain, deadlines, and best strategies.
- Alumni & Long-Term Support: Their commitment doesn’t end when a student enters high school. They continue to offer support (e.g. SAT prep, college advising) to help students thrive long term.
Some impact numbers underscore why this work is so important: AdmissionSquad reports on its website that they have supported over 500 students in their core programs, delivered workshops to more than 5,000 families, and earned an approximately 80% success rate in placing their participants into top-tier high schools.
What to Expect at National STE(a)M Day
At the November 8 event, Tai Abrams will deliver an inspiring keynote addressing not only the pathways into STEM careers but also the challenges and opportunities around access, preparation, and perseverance. Her journey mirrors many of the ambitions our students carry—and she knows firsthand how systems of access work (and sometimes fail).
But that will just be one part of the day. Here’s what else is in store:
- Breakout sessions and mini workshops on topics like building an academic portfolio, STE(a)M careers, college prep strategies, and educational & scholarship opportunities
- A moment to unveil special incentives: one full SHSAT tutoring scholarship (for an eligible 7th grader) and one $500 scholarship for a high school senior planning to major in STEM
- Networking, Q&A with mentors, and hands-on exposure to STEM learning
- Time for families to engage with speakers, staff, and partners
Every student who attends—middle or high school—is invited to participate fully. This is meant to be a day of inspiration, information, and action.
How to Sign Up & Get Involved
Registration is totally free and open now. Just head to our Eventbrite page: harlemSTEMUp2025.eventbrite.com.
We encourage families, educators, and community members to share this event broadly. Get the word out in your networks—social media, local schools, churches, community centers.
If you want to help behind the scenes (volunteer, photography, social media, or logistics), email us at info@harlemstemup.com. We’d love your support in making this day smooth, vibrant, and impactful.
