Culturally Grounded Support for Lasting Achievement
Nkyinkyim
Nkyinkyim means “twisting” or “twisted” in Akan, symbolizing the winding journey of life, resilience, adaptability, and dynamism. It is important to NEP’s mission and vision because it embodies the very qualities African American students and families need to thrive: persistence through challenges, cultural grounding, and the ability to navigate complex systems while holding onto identity and legacy.
A simple but powerful observation gave birth to NEP. African American students and families often receive support up to the point of college acceptance, yet too often, that support ends there. Consequently, many students face challenges without adequate guidance. In response, NEP was founded by a Fulbright-Hays scholar whose time in Ghana deepened her commitment to cultural grounding and legacy-building. Drawing on that experience, NEP bridges the gap with programs that walk alongside students, parents, and institutions from acceptance to graduation. Ultimately, this approach ensures that success is not only achieved but sustained across generations.
From the very beginning, NEP has focused on retention, equity, and empowerment. As a result, students who once felt uncertain about navigating financial aid, academic expectations, and cultural isolation now thrive with clear roadmaps, mentorship, and leadership development. Likewise, parents who previously feared being left out of the process now gain advocacy tools and the confidence needed to support their children. In turn, universities benefit from authentic partnerships that not only strengthen retention but also honor NEP’s ownership of its curriculum. Together, these efforts create a holistic support system that uplifts students, families, and institutions alike.
LEGACY-DRIVEN EDUCATION FOR LASTING SUCCESS
Inspired by an Ohio University Fulbright-Hays journey to Ghana
Fulbright Inspiration: Building Pathways of Equity and Success
Fulbright Inspiration
The Fulbright experience shaped NEP’s vision. While immersed in Ghana’s educational and cultural systems, our founder witnessed firsthand the power of culturally affirming advising and the importance of legacy in education. Moreover, those lessons revealed how identity and heritage can strengthen academic success. As a result, that global perspective became the foundation for NEP’s mission: to create pathways that are not only academically strong but also culturally resonant, ensuring students succeed without losing their identity. Ultimately, this inspiration continues to guide NEP’s commitment to equity, empowerment, and legacy-building.
What we offer
Stage One: Post-Admission Success Programs — To begin, we guide students and parents with actionable tools that support the transition from acceptance to enrollment.
Stage Two: Retention Programs — Building on that foundation, we offer mentorship, counseling, and professional development to ensure students continue to thrive throughout their academic journey.
Stage Three: University Partnerships — Ultimately, we foster equity-driven collaborations with institutions that strengthen retention, enhance representation, and honor NEP’s curriculum ownership.
About the Founder
Kris Y. Coleman, JD, MBA, MA
Kris Y. Coleman is a mother, educator, lawyer, and visionary strategist committed to one mission: preparing Black families—especially those descended from North American Enslaved Africans—to navigate and transform systems that were never designed for their success.
With two doctorates and a lifetime of personal and professional experience, Kris has stood in classrooms, courtrooms, and campuses—and witnessed how educational systems often fail to protect, affirm, or fully prepare our children. Nkyinkyim Educational Pathways was born from her deep belief that preparation isn’t just academic—it’s cultural, emotional, and ancestral.
Kris created NEP not as a program, but as a movement. A way to equip families with the tools, wisdom, and advocacy power needed to support their students in today’s post-DEI landscape. Her work is grounded in tradition, sharpened by scholarship, and fueled by the unshakable love Black parents carry for their children.