New York City native and Chester County resident Chanel Gaither is the founder and president of M.A.C.S. (Minorities Achieving Collegiate Success), a program that assists low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students in accessing the resources necessary to attend and graduate from college. She is also the head of Ascend Legacy Academy, a progressive boarding school for Black male scholars.

Gaither, who began working when she was 15 years old at a bagel shop, earned a bachelor’s degree in Government from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Delaware.

“I cannot pinpoint one person who has had the most significant impact on my career,” said Gaither. “Honestly, I believe that it takes a village. Each of my mentors has poured into me in a different capacity, allowing me to grow professionally, contributing to my overall success.”

Gaither’s proudest professional achievements are expanding M.A.C.S. into an international organization in 2013 and introducing the Ascend Legacy Academy to Pennsylvania in 2021.

“As the president and founder of M.A.C.S., I create the organizational strategic plan/operational budget of an organization that has worked with 500-plus students domestically and internationally,” she said. “As the interim head of the academy, we are currently launching our summer pilot institute, which will take place in July 2022, and planning to welcome our inaugural class in the fall of 2023.”

Her favorite Chester County restaurant is Buddy’s Burgers.

Gaither and the rest of the 2022 Class of VISTA Millennial Superstars will be honored at the Awards Reception & Celebration held outdoors on Tuesday, May 10 at Penn State Great Valley. The in-person event will feature food trucks, drinks, touchless registration, a VIP tent, and boundless opportunities to network. It will also be live-streamed.

Sponsors are still being sought. Click here to learn more about the various opportunities available to partner with VISTA Today as it celebrates Chester County’s next generation of leaders.