Established in 1995, the Brewer Foundation provides educational opportunities to students who exhibit a willingness to change their futures. “The Foundation was always envisioned as a charity that would operate in the community,” said Brewer, founder and chairman of the Brewer Foundation, the Brewer Storefront, and partner of Brewer, Attorneys and Counselors. “We built the Foundation to work with the families, students, and educators we serve.
Brewer believes that exposing young people to enhanced academic opportunity cultivates future leaders as change agents in their communities. It was this philosophy that led Brewer to launch the Foundation’s flagship programs twenty-five years ago – the Future Leaders Program (FLP) and the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF). As of today, FLP and IPPF have impacted thousands of students and seek to reach thousands more.
The Future Leaders Program – An Innovative Community-Driven Model
FLP is a public-private partnership that brings together educators and resources from Dallas ISD and four private school partners: The Hockaday School, St. Mark’s School of Texas, The Episcopal School of Dallas, and Greenhill School. The program pairs rigorous extracurricular academic instruction with a wide range of additional educational experiences that prepare students for college and beyond.
As a year-round academic and leadership development program, FLP serves over 200 Dallas ISD students each year. The program’s origins trace back to community leaders and educators who shared the Foundation’s vision of what students can achieve in the right environment. One of its earliest champions, Dallas ISD administrator Shirley Ison-Newsome, laid the groundwork that continues to support the program’s success today.
Twenty-five years later, Ison-Newsome understands the lasting impact of FLP on students and educators alike. “FLP redefined what was possible when students receive thoughtful guidance,” said Ison-Newsome. “What began as an ambitious concept has become a proven framework that consistently produces graduates who are prepared, confident, and positioned to succeed.”
FLP’s Track Record of Success
FLP has served over 2000 students since its inception. Since 2009, FLP students have earned more than $20 million in scholarships and admission to some of the nation’s top colleges and universities. In addition to academic achievement, FLP students frequently cite confidence, mentorship, and community as defining aspects of their experience.
Among them is Efrain Vera, a graduate of FLP’s 2010 class. As a FLP graduating senior, Vera received The Gates Scholarship to attend New York University (NYU), and now he practices law at a leading international law firm.
“FLP gave me direction at a critical moment in my life,” Vera said. “FLP’s team did more than describe what was possible. They showed me how to reach it, and that guidance changed everything.”
The International Public Policy Forum – Elevating Student Debate Worldwide
While FLP focuses on expanding access to educational opportunities, the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) seeks to promote civil discourse among high school students around the world in a unique public policy debate tournament. Now in its twenty-fifth year, IPPF remains the only international debate competition that begins with written advocacy and culminates in a live oral debate.
Each year, students from around the globe submit essays addressing a critically important public policy issue. After students submit their essays, a panel of judges selects sixty-four teams from these initial essays to compete in a single-elimination tournament that unfolds over several months. The competition ultimately narrows to eight teams who receive an all-expense paid trip to New York City from the Foundation to compete in live debates for cash prizes and the Brewer Cup.
“When students are challenged to research deeply, argue thoughtfully, and listen with intention, they develop skills that extend far beyond the competition,” Brewer said. “Those experiences shape citizens and our society.”
More than 500 teams from 48 countries registered to compete in the 25-26 competition, which is the largest number of registrants in IPPF history. This April, the Foundation will host its inaugural IPPF Symposium at New York University, convening students, educators, and policy leaders to examine this year’s IPPF topic: the global education crisis.
A New Chapter and a Continued Commitment
In 2025, The Brewer Foundation enters a new chapter guided by its enduring mission: expanding access to educational opportunity while developing young leaders equipped to shape their communities. New partnerships with JPMorgan Chase, Capital One, and Texas Southern University will ensure the program’s broader reach and growing impact. Foundation President Ian Shaw sees this moment as both an opportunity and a responsibility, marking a clear path forward. “The Foundation’s future will depend on building relationships with mission-aligned partners that believe in providing opportunities to students who are willing to change their future,” Shaw said. “Our responsibility is to expand access, evolve our programs, and ensure that students feel supported at every stage of their journey.”
