Build UP Birmingham

What a difference a year makes.

Last year, we celebrated Derrius McCloud as Build Urban Prosperity (Build UP)’s valedictorian—a young man whose work ethic, consistency, and quiet leadership set the standard for his class. This year, we celebrated something even bigger: Derrius became a homeowner. At an age when many young adults are still trying to figure out their next step, Derrius is stepping into adulthood with stability, equity, and opportunity.

What makes his story so powerful is that this didn’t happen overnight. Derrius began building this future years ago through internships, hard work, and intentional preparation. As a sophomore, he became the first student in Build UP history to earn an internship typically reserved for upperclassmen after stepping into a partnership that needed rebuilding. He earned the trust of every employer he encountered by showing up early, working hard, and taking ownership of every opportunity in front of him. By senior year, Derrius had earned his ACE certification, maintained strong grades, and built a credit score above 700—creating a foundation for long-term success before graduation.

📣 NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION IS HERE! 📣

Ready to build your future? Join us for BuildUP Community School’s New Student Orientation!

🗓️ June 8 – July 2, 2026
⏰ Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

✨ Earn up to $250 in stipends
✨ Receive NCCER Construction Training
✨ Enjoy an exciting Memphis Trip (June 18–20) for only $30

🚨 Limited spots available! Parents, don’t wait 🙂‍↔️ secure your student’s seat TODAY‼️

🏠🎓💪🏾

The courage, clarity, and vision our students demonstrated was incredible to witness. One of the most inspiring moments of the evening was recognizing recent Build UP graduates who achieved homeownership through our program and partnership with Hope Credit Union. This year, three young people — ages 19, 19, and 20 — became affordable homeowners, beginning adulthood with equity, stability, and opportunity.
https://🔔Applications now open for the 2026-2027 school year at https://www.buildup.work/

Seeing young people thrive in life and become homeowners has to be one of the most fulfilling things I’ve experienced in my career. Not simply because they graduated, but because they discovered their purpose, found stability, and built a future for themselves. Euphrates is a testament to that. We used to call him “The Sleepy Genius.” He wasn’t the student who thrived in traditional classrooms or fit neatly into the academic mold people expected. But beneath that was brilliance, creativity, and unrealized potential waiting for the right pathway and support system. Once he found direction, everything changed. Today, Euphrates is a skilled tradesman earning strong wages through the Carpenters Union, traveling, building a future for himself and at just 19 years old, he is now a homeowner!

As his mother proudly shared: “My baby has graduated high school certified in a trade ❤️ And today he has purchased his first home at 19yrs old.” Euphrates himself said it best: “Thanks to Build UP Birmingham for having a great program that helps kids learn and gives a path to home ownership!”

At Build UP, our job is to help young people discover their gifts, whether that path leads to college, the trades, or another meaningful career — and pursue that pathway intentionally and successfully. Through internships, workforce experiences, and exposure to real employers while still in high school, students have the opportunity to test, explore, and discern which pathway is best aligned with their strengths, passions, and long-term goals.
Euphrates’ story is proof that with the right support system, young people don’t just survive, they thrive, build wealth, and transform their communities.

Thank you to our incredible partners who help make stories like this possible every day:

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be highlighting the stories of our newest homeowners and the journeys that brought them to this milestone. We are deeply grateful to the organizations and individuals who continue to invest in our students, our mission, and the future they are building together. Mentions: Hope Credit Union, Enterprise Community Partners, Black Women's Mental Health Institute, Mike and Gillian Goodrich Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, The Grove

Tags: The Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama, Prosper Birmingham, Big City Mountaineers, The Joseph S. Bruno Charitable Foundation, Shelia Tyson, Meka Jackson, Daniel Foundation of Alabama, Shades Crest Baptist Church, Institute of Real Estate Management, Alabama Power, Megan Foundation
https://🔔Applications now open for the 2026-2027 school year at https://www.buildup.work/

Our Pathways to Success Gala was one of the most powerful celebrations of purpose, perseverance, and possibility we’ve experienced at Build UP.
https://🔔Applications now open for the 2026-2027 school year at https://www.buildup.work/

From Students to Homeowner🔑 Every key that turns in a new door represents years of vision, discipline, and faith made visible." Watch young people declare their futures into existence and new homeowners step into theirs. Be apart of the story with Build Up Community School. Donate to carry it forward.

Tap the link in our bio🔔Applications now open for the 2026-2027 school year at buildup.work