Big Brothers Big Sisters School and Community Programs

 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Image: bbbs.org

A divisional sales manager at T. Rowe Price in Maryland, Barrett Wragg is an adaptable professional with years of experience in multiple aspects of finance. Outside of work, Barrett Wragg enjoys helping young people find their paths in life and served as a Big Brother.

Big Brothers Big Sisters programs operate in a wide range of contexts and locations. The organization operates both school-based and community-based activities for “Bigs” and the children they mentor.

In school-based programs, Bigs meet the children in a school setting. While this may involve discussions of homework, reading, or other academic activities, there is no academic requirement. The pairs are free to use the playgrounds, go to the gym, or use other school facilities. Community-based programs involve area activities, such as going to museums, concerts, ball games, or other cultural or recreational events.

Parental Support from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

 

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Image: cff.org

A graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, Barrett Wragg completed a bachelor of science in finance and marketing and served as president of the Black Business Association his senior year. Currently, Barrett Wragg is a Divisional Sales Manager for T. Rowe Price, where he leads a team of Regional Investment Consultants who partner with fee-based financial advisors. Outside of work, he has contributed to charitable organizations such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF).

In addition to fundraising to find a cure for cystic fibrosis, the CFF provides an array of support tools for parents caring for children with the disease. Because caretakers of children with a chronic illness are at higher risk for anxiety and depression, it is important to watch for signs of stress.

To avoid becoming overwhelmed, parents should focus on eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep. Connecting with other parents of children with the disease can provide an outlet and a support network, as well as a helpful source of factual information. Dealing with medical bills in a timely manner and seeking assistance when necessary can also help decrease anxiety. For more information and resources, visit www.cff.org.

Coach John Wooden and the Importance of Preparation

Coach John Wooden
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A divisional sales manager with T. Rowe Price in Maryland, Barrett Wragg has worked for the firm for 15 years. Recreationally, Barrett Wragg enjoys reading and considers Be Quick, But Don’t Hurry his favorite book. Written by Andy Hill and John Wooden, the book explores the secrets of the famed coach’s success.

Largely considered one of the best coaches in history, Wooden carried the UCLA basketball team to success in 10 national championships, including an unprecedented streak of seven wins in a row. Much of the strategy that Wooden used for success on the court translates well into the business world.

One of the key lessons Wooden taught focuses on preparation. Once an opportunity has arrived, it is too late to prepare. Players need to put in the time perfecting their skills during practice if they hope to perform under the pressure of a game. Similarly, people who want to get ahead in business must make themselves ready for the opportunities they desire before those opportunities are even a possibility. That way, when the chance to prove oneself arises, individuals have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed and show that they are able to handle more responsibility. Preparation is one of the keys to moving up the corporate ladder.

Two Anxiety-Driven Habits That Increase Fear of Public Speaking

Public Speaking
Image: instituteofpublicspeaking.com

Barrett Wragg has worked at T. Rowe Price in Maryland for approximately 15 years. Outside of work, Barrett Wragg maintains an interest in public speaking and has volunteered with the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education. Many people have anxiety about the thought of speaking publicly, and this issue can lead to behaviors that actually increase their level of fear.

The first problematic behavior is rushing through the speech. People often begin to speak quickly because they simply want the experience to be over as quickly as possible. This behavior, however, interferes with proper breathing. Short, shallow breaths can increase feelings of panic. Speaking quickly also creates a barrier between the speaker and the audience, which could struggle to understand. This issue relates directly to the second bad habit.

Anxious speakers sometimes ignore the audience because they think that this will make them feel less at ease. Ignoring the audience compels speakers to concentrate on their own thoughts, which tend to be much more negative than any reaction that the audience would have. Speakers then become even less receptive and wind up feeling worse than if they had welcomed audience interaction.

INROADS Partners with STEMBoard to Expand Programming

 

INROADS
Image: INROADS.org

With 15 years of experience at the company, Barrett Wragg serves as a divisional sales manager with T. Rowe Price. Barrett Wragg started at the company as a college intern while participating in the INROADS program, which provides opportunities for youth from underserved communities and prepares them for business leadership.

At the end of 2016, INROADS announced a strategic alliance with STEMBoard that will facilitate the creation of new opportunities for students in STEM fields. STEMBoard is committed to closing the achievement gap by working with underrepresented youth and giving them the tools they need to create innovative technologies. The two organizations had previously collaborated on the development of two summer programs for high school students focused on entrepreneurship and engineering design.

The partners have created a strategic plan for furthering both of their missions that involves three points. First, STEMBoard created a hardware project designed to encourage pursuit of STEM careers that was implemented in select INROADS programs. Second, an INROADS program in Atlanta partnered with local under-resourced schools to recruit female students into a STEM program. Third, STEMBoard organized a technology camp called Mini-Hack that emphasizes entrepreneurial principles and encourages innovation in participants.

The Impact of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Program

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Image: bbbs.org

Throughout his life, Barrett Wragg has sought opportunities to give back to the community. For four years, Barrett Wragg volunteered as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. This program pairs young individuals with a positive adult role model and encourages them to build a one-on-one relationship through a variety of events.

The effectiveness of the program was recently proven by a Public/Private Ventures study that involved 950 young participants in eight different agencies across the country. After 18 months, the independent agency found that participants were 46 percent less likely to use illegal drugs and 52 percent less likely to skip school compared to nonparticipants. In addition, participants reported more confidence in school and a stronger capacity for building healthy relationships with family members.

The study also confirmed the effectiveness of the program’s match initiative, which aims to pair younger participants with older role models that have similar backgrounds and interests. Participants matched through this initiative, rather than through random assignment, consistently spent more time together and continued their relationship for longer periods of time.

Volunteering with the Step Out- Walk to Stop Diabetes

American Diabetes Association
Image: diabetes.org

 

A divisional sales manager with T. Rowe Price, Barrett Wragg recently registered to run with his department’s team in the Baltimore Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes event organized by the American Diabetes Association. Barrett Wragg raised more than $200 for the association and its important work. Individuals can support the American Diabetes Association and Step Out in a number of ways, including through volunteer opportunities.

Volunteers help recruit sponsors, teams, and other volunteers to ensure that events across the country run smoothly. Some volunteers provide committee leadership, which involves securing donations from local sources and planning activities for the day of the event. These volunteers also help market Step Out events in their communities and inspire other people to participate or volunteer.

Other volunteers focus their efforts on the day of the event. Volunteers are essential to ensuring a successful Step Out walk. These individuals help register team captains and walkers as they arrive, distribute t-shirts, and serve refreshments at rest stops along the rout. In addition, finish line volunteers greet individuals at the end of the route and offer them cold drinks and nutritious snacks.

Ending Cystic Fibrosis through the Why We Stride Walk

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Image: cff.org

Barrett Wragg serves as a divisional sales manager for T. Rowe Price in Owings Mills, Maryland. He has been working with the firm’s clients for nearly 15 years. An active member of his community, Barrett Wragg also contributes to worthy charities, including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation aims to end cystic fibrosis and improve quality of life for everyone who lives with the disease. The Foundation is dedicated to funding research and development in pursuit of a cure.

Much of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s funding comes from Why We Stride, its largest fundraising event. Each year, more than 125,000 people come together to walk the 5K events in over 500 locations in the United States.

Participants raise money in teams, setting lofty fundraising goals. They can set up team webpages through the Great Strides website or use the organization’s fundraising app to collect donations. Walkers rally support from their friends and loved ones, who help raise millions to combat cystic fibrosis each year.

Best Time to Visit Kauai

Kauai
Image: travel.usnews.com

With a BS in finance and marketing from the University of Maryland, College Park, Barrett Wragg operates as a divisional sales manager for T. Rowe Price, a position he just began in April of 2016. An avid traveler in his free time, Barrett Wragg counts Hawaii, particularly Kauai, among his favorite destinations.

Many people plan to visit Kauai when the weather is poor where they live rather than when it is best on the island. Temperatures on Kauai typically range between 65 and 85 degrees year round. However, rainfall varies greatly, depending on the month. Between December and March, rainfall is at its highest. Still, it is one of the most popular times to visit, so crowds and prices are high during that period. Certain hotels can cost over $500 a night, and visitors must book a room a few months in advance. Summertime is also very crowded and expensive, though rainfall is at its lowest between the months of June and August.

Spring and fall both offer lower rates and fewer crowds on Kauai. Between September and November, many hotels fall below $150 a night, and airfare is also much more affordable. Temperatures range from the low 70s to the 80s, and rainfall is just starting to rise to its peak in December. From April to mid-June, temperatures are ideal and rainfall is relatively low. Hotel prices and airfare are also lower, and the crowds are smaller.

INROADS: Supporting Underserved Youth Through Professional Internships

INROADS
Image: inroads.org

Barrett Wragg demonstrates his commitment to sales distribution as a regional investment consultant for T. Rowe Price in Baltimore, Maryland. He also serves as a vice president. Barrett Wragg got his start at T. Rowe Price through INROADS, which he now supports as a successful professional.

INROADS began as a small organization in Chicago, Illinois. It served just 25 students, and had 17 corporate sponsors. After 40 years of service, the organization has gone international, now helping more than 2,000 interns succeed across the world.

INROADS offers services to underserved youth, helping to close achievement gaps in the professional world. These efforts culminate in regional annual learning summit events, which bring top students together for networking and development.

The Mid Atlantic regional event invites students from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC to come for leadership training and corporate development seminars.

The 2016 learning summit will be held July 15 and 16 in Baltimore, Maryland.