Creating Opportunity
Through Education

Evolve502 is a community-focused organization committed to creating a path to education for Louisville’s youth. We act as cradle-to-career connectors, ensuring children are prepared for productive lives. We do this by linking young people to resources geared to promoting academic success and by giving them access and funding to pursue a post-secondary education.


A video about Evolve502 and their mission to provide college scholarships to public school students.

Our Mission and Vision

Our vision is to ensure every child is prepared for college, career and a successful, productive life. Our mission is to lower the systemic barriers of poverty and institutional racism and provide the caring, belief, access and support each student needs to succeed.

What we do

We focus on three things: systems, scholarships and supports.

Systems

We use data and best practices to identify gaps in student achievement and success.

Scholarships

We raise funds so every eligible JCPS graduate can get a tuition-free, two-year college degree or workforce training. The neediest also receive opportunity grants to defray other costs associated with higher education.

Supports

We convene and collaborate with partner agencies in government, education and social services, offering  services aimed at ensuring every child in our community has the guidance and tools to succeed.

Why We Do It

Our goal is to ensure an educated, growing and vibrant community in which all citizens can prosper and contribute to the economic vitality of our city.

Our Impact

An Evolution: Louisville’s Education Movement

2008 Greater Louisville Project publishes education pipeline report
2010 55,000 Degrees sets 2020 goal: 50% of adults with a college degree
2014 Mayor Greg Fischer launches Cradle to Career framework
2015 To reach 10-year goals, 55,000 Degrees board issues call to action to close equity gaps and increase college affordability
2016 Louisville partners with Say Yes to Education and Harvard University to build Louisville Promise
2018 Louisville Promise becomes Evolve502: Louisville’s Promise from Cradle to Career
2020 Evolve502 launches a scholarship program for Jefferson County Public Schools students in the classes of 2021 – 2024, guaranteeing up to two-years of college tuition-free

Our Team

Marland Cole

Marland Cole

Executive Director
Charles Davis

Dr. Charles Davis

Chief Comprehensive Services and Data Officer
John Guthrie

John J. Guthrie

Director of Development and Advocacy
Sarah Shaaban, Evolve502, Scholarship and Student Success Director, Louisville, KY

Sarah Shaaban

Scholarship and Student Success Director
Brandy Warren

Brandy Warren

Communications Director
Marlesia Bryant

Marlesia Bryant

Operations Manager
Olivia Jarrell

Olivia Jarrell

Data Manager
Natalie Wynn

Natalie Wynn-Abell

Comprehensive Services Coordinator
Arianna del Toro, Evolve502, Student Success Coordinator

Arianna del Toro

Student Success Coordinator
Alondra Martinez, Evolve502, Student Success Coordinator

Alondra Martinez

Student Success Coordinator
Ariel Snow, Evolve502, Student Success Coordinator

Ariel Snow

Student Success Coordinator
Autumn Windom, Evolve502, Student Success Coordinator

Autumn Windom

Student Success Coordinator
William Bryant Jr. Photo

William Bryant Jr.

Student Support Coach
Salem Gaines

Salem Gaines

Student Support Coach
Jas Turk

Jas Turk

Student Support Coach
Garrett Woosley

Garrett Woosley

Student Support Coach

Evolve502 Board

Jim Allen

Baird Board Chair

Dr. Amy Lingo

Georgia Southern University Vice Chair

David Calzi

Retired Executive, EY Treasurer

Lyndon Pryor

Louisville Urban League Secretary

Dr. T. Gerard (Gerry) Bradley

University of Louisville

Lee Burchfield

Louisville Free Public Library

Alex Campbell

Republic Bank

Gary Cobbs

YMCA of Greater Louisville

Emilie Dyer

Americana Community Center

Mayor Craig Greenberg

Louisville Metro Government

Robert Gunn

Metro United Way

Ashley Hadley

PNC

Dr. Ty Handy

Jefferson Community and Technical College (Jefferson)

Tami Hatfield

GE Appliances

Mark Lagestee

Retired, YUM Brands

Dr. Walter Malone, III

Simmons College of Kentucky

Heidi Margulis

Retired executive, Humana

Lilly Massa-McKinley

Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education

Tad Myre

Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs

Superintendent Marty Pollio

Jefferson County Public Schools

Maddie Shepard

Jefferson County Teachers Association

Christine Tarquinio

Goodwill Industries