Eric Waldo

Rosie & Evie’s Dad. CEO @dccapscholars; @ReachHigher; @ObamaWhiteHouse; DCOS for @arneduncan; Obama 08; Policy, pop culture & politics. 🇵🇷. Views = mine

[Eric Waldo @ewwaldo]

NEWS: Historic $30M investment in DC scholarships! Made possible le by the incredible leadership of @TedLeonsis @MSE and the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation. 🎉🎉🎉

[Monumental Sports & Entertainment @MSE]

Ahead of College Signing Day today at @CapitalOneArena, the Leonsis Family, MSE and the Clark Foundation have announced a historic $30 million investment in @dccapscholars - an initiative that will provide scholarships and help students complete their post-secondary education.

[Eric Waldo @ewwaldo]

At our celebration event last night a mother of one of our scholars came up to me and said, "thanks to you, my son is now the first male in our family to graduate from college." She started to cry, and then I started to cry, so we just hugged.

That's what it's all about.

[DC College Access Program @dccapscholars]

What an incredible evening! 🎉

Yesterday at Philippe Chow DC, we celebrated Turning the Tassel 2026 — our inaugural celebration for our DC CAP graduating scholars. For the first time in our history, we honored scholars from every one of our University Partners in one room. 💜

Thank you to our President & CEO, @ewwaldo, and Board Chair, @TedLeonsis — and to the families, coaches, partners, sponsors, and donors who filled the room. The work that got us here didn't start last night. You've been showing up for these students for years. 👏

[Eric Waldo @ewwaldo]

Such a special evening. Our scholars are amazing and will do big things with their degrees!!

[DC College Access Program @dccapscholars]

What an incredible evening! 🎉

Yesterday at Philippe Chow DC, we celebrated Turning the Tassel 2026 — our inaugural celebration for our DC CAP graduating scholars. For the first time in our history, we honored scholars from every one of our University Partners in one room. 💜

Thank you to our President & CEO, @ewwaldo, and Board Chair, @TedLeonsis — and to the families, coaches, partners, sponsors, and donors who filled the room. The work that got us here didn't start last night. You've been showing up for these students for years. 👏

[DC College Access Program @dccapscholars]

Read more about tonight's event here: https://t.co/q4h1gaHnR9

[DC College Access Program @dccapscholars]

🎓This evening, DC CAP will host Turning the Tassel 2026 — our inaugural graduation celebration, and the first time in our history that we honor graduating scholars from every one of our University Partners in a single room.

Tonight is a testament to what becomes possible when a city invests in its students and refuses to accept anything less for them.

To the partners, champions, sponsors, and donors who made this possible — thank you. Tonight wouldn't happen without you.

[Eric Waldo @ewwaldo]

You are a class act @LewisDFerebee. Thank you for your diligent support from DC students and always fighting for them to be their best selves. Congrats on your new gig. They are lucky to have you! So were we!

[Ted Leonsis @TedLeonsis]

Chancellor Lewis Ferebee has been an outstanding public servant and a steady, effective leader for @dcpublicschools.

Under his leadership, DC students posted the strongest post-COVID academic gains in the country, a remarkable achievement that reflects focus, accountability, and a deep commitment to students and families during an incredibly challenging time.

I’ve also been proud to work alongside Lewis through @dccapscholars, where he has been a dedicated and engaged Advisory Board member who consistently showed up for our scholars.

Now, as he takes on the CEO role at EdReports, I’m confident he’ll continue to make a meaningful impact in education.

Congratulations, Lewis, and thank you for your leadership and service.

https://t.co/7Dy6gi3tab

[Ted Leonsis @TedLeonsis]

Every young person deserves safe spaces to learn, grow, and build confidence – and sports can help make that possible.

Great to see the @WashMystics and @WashWizards unveil a new court at the Boys and Girls Club here in DC. These spaces create more opportunities for kids across The District to learn important lessons about teamwork, resilience, leadership, and community that last far beyond the court.

Investing in youth sports is investing in the future of our city. 👏

[Eric Waldo @ewwaldo]

@TedLeonsis @WashWizards Boom

[Zach Leonsis @ZacharyLeonsis]

April marked continued momentum across @MSE. 📈

@TheTraeYoung and his foundation committed $100K to @dccapscholars and @DCCK, reinforcing the impact sports and athletes can make on our communities.

We launched EquipHER with the @WashMystics and @dcpublicschools to provide essential athletic gear to D.C. athletes and help more girls stay in the game.

We also welcomed @doriancraft as the new lead voice of Mystics basketball and are building toward a new season following the @WNBA Draft.

Real progress is taking place across our community, platforms, and teams – all centered on delivering for our fans. I’m excited for what’s ahead!

[Zach Leonsis @ZacharyLeonsis]

.@TheTraeYoung and the Trae Young Family Foundation's $100,000 commitment to @dccapscholars and @dcck is an investment in opportunity and the future of our community.

The contribution – $50,000 to each organization – will help expand access to higher education while also addressing hunger and workforce development across the city.

Grateful to Trae and his Foundation for recognizing and supporting the organizations that are making a real difference in D.C.

[Ted Leonsis @TedLeonsis]

Today, @TheTraeYoung and his foundation, the Trae Young Family Foundation, announced a combined $100,000 donation to @dccapscholars and @dcck.

This investment will have a meaningful impact on our city— helping to fund college access for DC students and combat hunger and poverty across our community.

Thank you to Trae and to the Foundation for supporting this important work!

[Eric Waldo @ewwaldo]

This is such exciting news for DC and our scholars. NBA All Star Trae Young and his team are so impressive. They came to town and immediately asked how they could get involved in the community and make a difference. What an honor that he selected DC CAP. We are so excited!

[DC College Access Program @dccapscholars]

Excited to welcome the Trae Young Family Foundation as a DC CAP partner with a $50,000 commitment to D.C. students.

This is the kind of support that helps our scholars get to and through college. Grateful for this partnership and for @TheTraeYoung’s support! 🎓

[Zach Leonsis @ZacharyLeonsis]

March was a strong reflection of the momentum building across @MSE – from major milestones to meaningful community impact across D.C. ⬇️

🏒 @ovi8 became the 2nd player in @NHL history to reach 1,000 combined regular-season and playoff goals – joining Gretzky and continuing to show what excellence looks like on the @Capitals

🏁 Unveiled the Freedom 250 Grand Prix on the National Mall – a historic @IndyCar street race coming to D.C. this summer

🏀 Hosted March Madness at @CapitalOneArena, bringing one of the biggest events in sports to the nation’s capital

🤝 Hosted a @dccapscholars Salon at COA, convening leaders focused on expanding access to education, mentorship & opportunity

March continued to build momentum. I’m energized by the trajectory we’re on and what’s ahead.

[DC College Access Program @dccapscholars]

Some closing thoughts from our President & CEO, @ewwaldo, following our SXSW EDU panel: the model we’re building works.

Students want more access to debt-free scholarship programs. Funders want to fund programs that work. We must continue advocating for these types of programs!

[DC College Access Program @dccapscholars]

That’s a wrap on our panel at #SXSWEDU!

Our conversation on college completion reinforced one thing we've found to be true: access is only the first step. Students succeed when support is coordinated.

A huge thank you to all of our panelists for their voices and expertise 🎓

[Ted Leonsis @TedLeonsis]

Thrilled to host the @dccapscholars Board at our offices @MSE to advance the mission of expanding college access for DC students. From applications to financial aid and ongoing family support, DC-CAP ensures students don’t just get to college – they’re set up for success.

When we invest in students, we invest in DC’s future.

[Ted Leonsis @TedLeonsis]

Expanding access to higher education is critical to DC’s long-term prosperity. When more students can afford to attend and complete college, we strengthen economic mobility and build the next generation of leaders.

@washingtonpost recently highlighted the expansion of DCTAG – a meaningful investment that helps remove cost as a barrier for DC students.

This work is core to what I’m proud to help champion with @ewwaldo and @dccapscholars. Programs like DCTAG send a clear message: DC believes in its students and is investing in their success.

https://t.co/36LUKsLHNL

[Ted Leonsis @TedLeonsis]

Great news for DC students and their families! A 50% increase in funding for the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) is officially in place through @dccapscholars.

Increasing the annual award will help more students manage rising tuition costs, stay on track to complete their degrees and build stronger futures for themselves – and for DC.

When we invest in students, we invest in the future of our city.

[Eric Waldo @ewwaldo]

Special thank you to former Rep. Tom Davis, Pat Butler, and @TedLeonsis for advocating for this support for DC students for many, many years to achieve this increase.

And thank you to Don Graham and Argelia Rodriguez, who were key architects of this work @dccapscholars

[Eric Waldo @ewwaldo]

BIG NEWS: Yesterday the President signed the FY26 appropriation bill, which includes a 50% increase in the DC Tuition Assitance Grant Program (was $10K a year and now will be $15K per year)!!!!!!!!

This is the first increase since the original bill passed in 1999!!!!

1/

[DC College Access Program @dccapscholars]

Located just minutes from Washington, D.C., Marymount connects students to internships, applied learning, and early career opportunities across government, nonprofit, tech, and corporate sectors.

Read more about our partnership here: https://t.co/Cxva6DrAWq