Bola Ibidapo: Empowering Students to Explore the World!

In an age where the world is increasingly connected, the ability to experience different cultures and ways of life is more important than ever. Unfortunately, for students from under-resourced communities, this opportunity can often seem out of reach. That's where the Too Fly Foundation comes in.

Established in 2016 with a mission to inspire curiosity and equip young minds with the tools to explore the wider world, this innovative organization provides passport and travel grants to both individual students and student organizations across the United States. By opening up the doors to travel and education, the Too Fly Foundation is making a tangible difference in the lives of countless young people, offering them the chance to broaden their horizons and discover the endless possibilities that await them beyond their local communities.

“Too Fly started with a text message conversation between me and my co-founder, Brandon Miller, in 2016,” reveals Bola Ibidapo, the co-founder of the foundation. “At the time, Brandon was raising funds for passports in light of Passport Awareness Month. This led to us swapping stories about our time abroad and how traveling effects us as young, black students. After much excitement, I texted him and said; You know what? We should host a happy hour to raise more funds and call it the ‘Too Fly Fundraiser: Helping Students See The World.’ Before we knew it, in one year we hosted pop-up fundraisers in a number of cities including Dallas, Washington DC, New York, Austin, Chicago, Houston and many more. Too Fly quickly became a movement through our grass roots support.”

The Too Fly Foundation has emerged as a pioneering force in advancing equity and inclusion for students through a suite of innovative programs. Central to their mission is the Travel @ Home Experience, which employs Virtual Reality technology and a bespoke curriculum to transport young learners on immersive journeys across the globe. From the comfort of their own homes, students are able to engage with diverse cultures, sights and sounds, and interact with the world in unprecedented ways.

Another key initiative is the Passport Partner Program, which provides a direct pathway for individual and corporate donors to sponsor students studying abroad by adopting one or more passports. This visionary program enables donors to have a direct impact on the future of young global leaders, empowering them to access life-changing educational opportunities and experiences.

In addition, the Too Fly Fundraiser has been instrumental in raising vital funds to support the foundation and its programs. These fundraisers can take various forms, from in-person events to virtual gatherings, but all share the common goal of mobilizing support for the next generation of global citizens. And lastly, the Flight Academy is an immersive cultural program designed for middle and high school students. Through a sensory-rich curriculum, students are introduced to the transformative power of travel, expanding their horizons and igniting their curiosity about the wider world.

For Bola, the story of Thomas Lee is one that exemplifies the core mission of her foundation.

"When Thomas received a travel grant from Too Fly, he was a 9th grader wanting to go to Japan. He was also from an under-represented population rarely reflected in the study abroad community (Hispanic) and was a student who - even at a young age - was doing what he could to financially contribute to his family. His parents were separated and his father was terminally ill."

But as luck would have it, Thomas was awarded a travel grant from Too Fly. This grant enabled him to fulfill his dream of travelling to Japan, an experience that would prove transformative in his life.

Today, Thomas is well on his way to achieving his dreams. He's currently pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering and he credits his experience with Too Fly for opening his eyes to a world of possibilities that he might otherwise have never known.

“This is what Too Fly’s about - we want to broaden the horizons of the next generation of the youth. We are planting the seeds of future creators, thinkers and leaders by showing them all this world can offer,” says Bola, who reveals that the foundation has helped over 250 students see the world since 2016.

However, for the entrepreneur, one of the biggest challenges in the foundation’s initial years was in creating an awareness about the benefits of travel for students who’ve never had the privilege of going overseas.

“Too Fly is empowering students who may be the first in their family to see the world or even own a passport. Statistics show that black and brown students who see the world have a higher chance of graduating both high school and college and come back with interpersonal skills that they would not retain by sitting in the comfort of their homes,” she states.

Another roadblock is the travel industry’s lack of accountability.

“While we’re very fortunate and thankful for the partners we have gained over the last six years, however, we are continuing to challenge the travel industry to step up,” Bola states, “Companies say they want more diversity and equity. However, when Too Fly presents the idea that to create a more diverse traveler industry is by creating a world of diverse travelers, we’re sometimes met with excuses. The co-founders of this organization are young and black, but we are sharp, determined and creative. And once we finally get into the door, I believe the corporate sponsors see that. So that’s what we will keep doing to overcome this challenge - knock down doors!”

By breaking down barriers and opening up new vistas of opportunity for students from all backgrounds, the Too Fly Foundation is currently working on an upcoming program called Beyond Borders – a series of concept-focused study abroad experiences – which they hope to launch in 2025.

“Look, my motto is that the time to create the next CEO, President, teacher, fashion guru, scientist and culinary icon is not when a child is older…but right now. The best leaders are those who have a wide perspective and global mindset. The best leaders are those who understand how to communicate across differences and barriers. And what better way to learn that than through travel?”

‍

Photos courtesy of: Too Fly Foundation