It’s More Than Academics: MOCHA is Making a Difference | May 2023

Back in September, 20 RIT students came together and took a step- together -that created a very special bond. They were officially welcomed as Men of Color Honor and Ambition (MOCHA). MOCHA’s mission at RIT is to provide “personal, academic, cultural, social, professional, and leadership development to undergraduate males at RIT, in an effort to positively impact academic success, increase retention, and develop successful leaders of tomorrow, today.”

Daniel Aisogun, Uttam Bhattarai, Hebrews Campbell, Karl Charles, Tyler Garcia, Jay’llen Hathman, KD Haughton, Juan Hernandez, Malik Jaff, Kasim O’Meally,  Afeose Omiyi, John Patrick, Jeison Perez, Avery Prince, Luis Remache, Abdullah Sakayl, Brandon Stoyanovich, Khalil Tavarez, Jaelin Vernon and Ferdinand Virtudes make up Cohort #9 or M9, and since that day last fall, they have all had the opportunity to work with mentors and interact with professionals in the community in a variety of programs centered on MOCHA’s five foundational pillars which include ambition, achievement, integrity, service and health and wellness.

David Benitez, associate director Community Initiatives MCAS, says all of it has been impactful for the students. “There have been several MOCHA presentations but “Financial Advisor” by Robert Katz from Wells Fargo Advisors was highly received by the students. Personal finance has always been a subject that attracts a lot of student interest, a subject that students will make many decisions in the near future, upon hire in the professional world. I believe it’s a threshold subject that helps cross a student from the academic world into the real world on decision making signifying adulthood.” He has decided this year’s special gift to them will be a personal finance book by Eric Tyson that will continue to provide knowledge they can apply after graduation that will advance their financial skills five to ten years ahead of their peers.

He adds there is one more “gift” they’ll take with them—the gift of “brotherhood.”