Newsroom

Project Success’s newsroom has the latest press releases covering our organization’s news.

Project Success has experts available to the media on a wide array of topics, including education, arts, experiential learning, volunteerism, philanthropy and nonprofit fundraising, among others.

Members of the news media may request interviews or additional resources — including high-resolution photographs and video footage — by contacting the communications team at info@projectsuccess.org or at
612-874-7710.

Press Releases


Media Coverage

2023

Minnesota Vikings –
June 2023

Project Success + Vikings Make Impactful Trip to D.C.


In this article, explore the Project Success Washington D.C. Global Experience trip for 15 MPS high school students in partnership with the Minnesota Vikings. Learn more about the trip that centered on identity, legacy, and students’ post-secondary goals.

Minnesota Vikings –
June 2023

Vikings Again Partner With Project Success On Special Trip To Washington D.C.


In this video, explore the Project Success Washington D.C. Global Experience trip for 15 MPS high school students in partnership with the Minnesota Vikings. Learn more about the trip that centered on identity, legacy, and students’ post-secondary goals. 

Minnesota Vikings –
May 2023

Getting Open: Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Hosts Mental Health Panel for High School Students 


Minnesota Vikings’ General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah hosted an engaging panel on mental health for Mental Health Awareness Month, including students from Project Success and the Boys & Girls Club. Multiple Vikings players and staff discussed the lessons and advice from their own stories about the importance of self-awareness, seeking support, and normalizing conversations around emotions. 

Passion Collective –
January 2, 2023

Inspiring Youth to Dream: How Adrienne Diercks Discovered—and Sustains—Her Passion through Project Success

A conversation with founder Adrienne Diercks looking back to the beginning of Project Success and how it has grown and continued to impact the lives of students over the last 29 years.

2022

Insight News – August 04, 2022

Project Success: Students define their own success and connect with purpose

An analysis of the McFarlane interview with Adrienne Diercks and Laura Garcia related to how Project Success helps students reach their dreams and the importance of supporting young people.

Al McFarlane – July 27, 2022

A Conversation with Al McFarlane – Building Wealth and Community

Al McFarlane interviewed Adrienne Diercks and Laura Garcia on how Project Success helps students reach their dreams by promoting community building to help shape their lives.

Minnesota Vikings – July 26, 2022

Vikings Partner with Project Success for Impactful Trip to Nation’s Capital

In partnership with the Minnesota Vikings, Project Success took high school students to Washington D.C.! The unique field trip in the nation’s capital provided an opportunity for youth to explore themes of identity, culture, community and equity as part of Project Success’ proven curriculum.

Kare11- February 14, 2022

How Super Bowl 52 grants are benefiting Minnesotans years later

A look back on how a $100,000 Legacy grant from the 2018 Super Bowl has impacted the Project Success Institute. Since its launch, long-term partnerships have been curated, and 600 students have earned 1,000 certificates.

Vikings- January 11, 2022

Vikings Support Project Success with $100K from Social Justice Committee

In partnership with the Minnesota Vikings’ and their team-up initiative, Project Success hosted a virtual global experiences event for the second year in a row for 30+ students from MPS high schools. During this year’s virtual experience the Minnesota Vikings gave a generous donation as well as dozens of scholarships to attending students.

MPR- January 06, 2022

MPR News with Angela Davis: What’s on the menu for 2022 

Within Angela Davis’ News Hour article and program for ‘What’s on the Menu for 2022,’ Project Success Institute Program Manager, James Rone, was featured discussing the Cooking Certificate program where we serve hundreds of students.

NPR- January 06, 2022

NPR News with Angela Davis: What’s on the menu for 2022 

NPR featured the local MPR Angela Davis News Hour program ‘What’s on the Menu for 2022’ that featured PS Institute Program Manager, James Rone, discussing our work in the Cooking Certificate with hundreds of students.

Star Tribune- January 01, 2022

Project Success cooking class offers Minneapolis students chance to learn, gather

Project Success’ Institute’s cooking course was featured alongside Institute Program Manager James Rone, Director of Schools & Curriculum Laura Garcia, and PS Institute students Chamsiyatou Iniwe and Oliver Czel.

2021

Vikings- March 25, 2021

Vikings Players Connect With High Schoolers Through Project Success

The Minnesota Vikings have been proud partners with Project Success over the past few years. On March 25, the Minnesota Vikings celebrated and connected with Project Success seniors with the goal to guide students toward a successful future.

Vikings- March 26, 2021

Kendricks, Wonnum & Richardson Pass Lessons to Project Success Students

More than 50 Minneapolis Public Schools high school seniors in the Project Success program recently joined a virtual discussion with current Vikings Eric Kendricks and D.J. Wonnum, former fullback Tony Richardson and Owner/President Mark Wilf.

2020

Vikings- November 24, 2020

Vikings Award Scholarships, Join Project Success for Virtual Field Trip

The Minnesota Vikings have generously awarded scholarships to our Project Success students and attended a virtual event along with students and PS staff to “visit” the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC).

Twins – November 18, 2020

Twins’ new giving charter aimed at youth

The Minnesota Twins is pursuing an initiative of investing and partnering with youth-based organizations, such as Project Success, to ensure social, educational, and opportunity equity.

FOX9 News – November 17, 2020

Vikings and nonprofit hold virtual experience for students after trip canceled

FOX9 News covered a virtual event hosted by Project Success and the Vikings for students’ whose PS global experiences were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Star Tribune – April 23, 2020

Quarantine cooking with your kids? Here are 5 recipes made by young Twin Cities cooks

This article mentions the Project Success cooking certificate and how we’re continuing to engage with our students during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Star Tribune – March 20, 2020

Get free online cooking lessons from culinary masters while you’re social distancing

This article mentions the Project Success cooking certificate and its adaptation into an online course during the COVID-19 outbreak.

2019

Education Week – November 14, 2019

Many Young People Think a High School Diploma Is Enough, Poll Finds

Adrienne Diercks is quoted in this article that pairs our Project Success Harris Poll with an AP Poll on what youth need for future planning and career success. Our results highlight the importance of soft skills and job preparation training for career success with nearly 80% of respondents saying soft skills and job preparation are absolutely essential or very important for career success.

MPR News – A Beautiful World – August 26, 2019

A Beautiful World: Project Success helps students identify, achieve their dreams

A Beautiful World on MPR News featured the Project Success story and the voices of alumna Shaadia Munye and executive director Adrienne Diercks. The show, hosted by Heather McElhatton, highlights positive stories from around the globe.

FOX 9 – June 26, 2019

Adrienne on the Jason Show

Project Success Executive Director Adrienne and PS student Tiana joined Vikings safety Anthony Harris yesterday on The Jason Show! They discussed the mission of Project Success and our recent trip to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture with the Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings – June 2019

Vikings & Project Success Send MPS High Schoolers on ‘Life-Changing’ Trip

For four years, Project Success has led global expeditions to Washington D.C. These experiences immerse students in history and culture, while also encouraging them to explore a wide variety of paths for their futures. In April 2019, we partnered with the Minnesota Vikings for an unforgettable visit to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Click through to read the blog post, see photos and watch a video from this trip!

Star Tribune – July 15, 2019

Scene & Heard: Project Success Dreams to Action Breakfast

In April 2019, Project Success celebrated 25 years of connecting students to their purpose at the seventh annual Dreams to Action breakfast at the Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley. More than 550 people attended the event, which opened with Marcy Open School students singing a number from the musical Dear Edwina. Click through to see the photos.