Summer Academy 2026
BOSS Celebrates Its 9th Annual Summer Academy
More than 60 middle and high school boys spent two transformative weeks at California State University, Long Beach building the skills, relationships, and exposure needed to turn potential into achievement.
Presented by U.S. Bank, the Academy reflected what makes BOSS more than a collection of programs. Each activity was intentionally connected to our developmental infrastructure: the people, relationships, expectations, opportunities, and supports that help young people transform their potential into educational attainment, economic mobility, and lifelong leadership.
The Academy took learning beyond the CSULB campus through visits and experiences that allowed scholars to see industries, institutions, and career pathways up close.
Highlights included:
- – A Port of Long Beach tour
- – A visit to Honda
- – The CSULB College of Engineering Rocket Lab
- – Los Angeles Rams Training Camp
- – A Los Angeles Lakers basketball clinic
- – An Angels game
- – Financial and business workshops led by City National Bank
- – Conversations with professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, wellness experts, and community leaders
These were not simply field trips. Each experience expanded the scholars’ understanding of what is possible—and introduced them to people, places, and pathways that can help make those possibilities real.
The Academy concluded August 7 with a celebration recognizing scholar achievement, growth, leadership, and improvement. Awards recognized achievement in AI and machine learning, IXL reading and mathematics, overall participation, improvement, and leadership. Scholars also presented what they had learned and received certificates recognizing their completion of the Academy.
The ceremony celebrated more than two weeks of activities. It celebrated young people who showed up, accepted coaching, explored unfamiliar opportunities, worked alongside their peers, and took another step toward becoming the men and leaders they have the potential to be.
We are grateful to U.S. Bank, CSULB and its College of Engineering, AEG, City National Bank, Chick-fil-A and SCE, as well as our instructors, coaches, families, sponsors, community partners, and Greg and Jodi Perlman for helping make the Academy possible. Click here to view the closing program for this year’s summer academy; click here for a photo gallery; and click here for a video clip that captures some of the excitement.
Potential is universal. Access and opportunity are not. BOSS helps close the gap.