Charlotte, NC, December 5, 2025 – Carolina Youth Coalition (CYC) is pleased to announce a $250,000 donation from Bank of America to support its Torch Fellows Program and leadership capacity building. The donation was made in honor of longtime Bank of America executive D. Steve Boland and his more than 30-year career with the company.
The Torch Fellows Program is Carolina Youth Coalition’s flagship, no-cost college access and success initiative, serving high-performing, under-resourced high school students in Mecklenburg County. Paired with mentors and a comprehensive set of college-preparatory resources, participants – called “Fellows” – are equipped to enter and graduate from a best-fit college with as little debt as possible.
“Carolina Youth Coalition’s mission is admirable, and their programs produce lasting results for high-achieving under-resourced students,” said Boland. “I am humbled by Bank of America’s gift in my honor, which will support the non-profit in its critical work. The organization is personally meaningful to me and my family, and we look forward to celebrating their continued success.”
Through this $250,000 gift from Bank of America, CYC will strengthen and expand the program to include one-on-one mentorship and college advising, career exploration and exposure, and financial literacy and leadership development. CYC’s objective is for 100 percent of participants to be admitted to a four-year college in their senior year, with 90 percent or more formally attending. The program currently serves 320 Fellows and aims to scale up to 500 participants by 2028. In addition, the donation will also support professional development and leadership training for CYC senior leaders and coaches.
Recently, CYC hosted their annual alumni-centered professional development event designed to build Fellows’ confidence, connections, and career readiness. The event brought together CYC alumni, corporate partners, and mentors to strengthen early-career networks and support ongoing professional growth. During the event, CYC announced the newly-established Boland Family Community and Excellence Award in recognition of Boland’s distinguished leadership and enduring impact.
“Carolina Youth Coalition is honored to be selected by Steve Boland for this contribution celebrating his retirement, and we are deeply grateful for the enduring support the Boland family and Bank of America have shown our organization since our founding, “said Aaron Randolph, co-founder and executive director, CYC. “We are proud to recognize their extraordinary commitment to leadership, mentorship, and community engagement through the new Boland Family Excellence in Community Award, which will annually celebrate a Bank of America volunteer who goes above and beyond in their service to Carolina Youth Coalition and our Fellows.”
Boland’s career with Bank of America spanned more than three decades. Beginning in 1990 as a management trainee in the retail bank, he ultimately rose to serve as President of Retail Banking in 2020. When Boland retired earlier this year he served as a member of the executive management team and as Chief Administrative Officer, with global responsibility for public policy; corporate social responsibility; workforce development; arts and heritage; corporate communications; corporate security; local markets organization; and other related functions. With this gift, Bank of America honors Boland’s legacy through its continued support of non-profits making a valuable impact in the Charlotte community.
About Carolina Youth Coalition:
Carolina Youth Coalition (CYC) is a non-profit organization in Charlotte, NC that nurtures and propels high-achieving, under-resourced students to and through college. Founded in January 2018 by Aaron Randolph and Kathryn Kissam through a generous donation from the Albemarle Foundation, CYC works to improve economic mobility in Charlotte by eliminating barriers to accessing and completing education through a continuum of support for promising first-generation high school and college students. CYC is modeled after the highly successful efforts of the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition in Baton Rouge, LA. Since launching, CYC Fellows have earned over $99 million in scholarships, achieved a 73% debt-free college attendance rate, and maintained a 97% college graduation rate. During the 2025–2026 school year, CYC is serving 400 high school Fellows and 220 College Fellows.