Story #11: Mawi Asgedom, from Mission Hill to CYEP to Championing Our Inner Heroes

Mawi Asgedom's passion for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) began in his childhood, having survived a refugee camp before experiencing tremendous personal growth that led to a scholarship at Harvard University. After graduating, he felt compelled to share his insights on SEL, believing it to be an essential yet underutilized force for student learning and well-being. His remarkable journey has garnered recognition, including being named one of Oprah’s top twenty guests and one of ESSENCE’s “40 Most Inspiring African-Americans.”

As the CEO of Inner Heroes Universe, Mawi continues to unlock student potential through evidence-based mental health and wellness solutions, having served millions through his first company, Mawi Learning, which he sold in 2019.

Reflecting on his earlier experiences, Mawi notes:

“I got involved with PBHA because I had a challenging childhood, and my family actually lived in low-income housing the entire time I was a Harvard student. For me, PBHA was an opportunity to pay it forward.”

His commitment deepened after volunteering at Mission Hill during his first year at Harvard. The pivotal moment came when he took on the role of Director of the Community Youth Employment Program (CYEP) at Newtowne Court. Despite internal turmoil between staff at the time, Mawi developed strong relationships and connections during his service which fortified his learning experience.

This experience taught him invaluable lessons about leadership. He reflects:

“One [senior counselor] got fired, one quit, and one I never talked to after the summer. It taught me that while I was a great individual producer (like most Harvard students), I had much to learn about leading others, management, and conflict management.”

These early challenges and lessons laid the groundwork for Mawi’s future endeavors.

“PBHA is a great place for undergraduates to serve, but also to fail, and realize that they have much more to learn than they ever imagined.”

Mawi’s story is a testament to the profound impact PBHA has on its members, equipping them with the insights to creatively design their futures. We are incredibly thankful for Mawi’s continuous support for the SUP and students at the organization overall and are proud of his commitment to SEL and public service.

Mawi Asgedom (right-most, in bandana) pictured with CYEP staff.

Photo from 1998.