When we talk about equity in education, we often talk about access. But access isn’t just about showing up—it’s about being seen, having tools that meet you where you are, and being invited into the process of shaping your own learning. That’s what made me so excited about the work of the That Could Be Me Foundation, a community-based nonprofit that’s combining AI, creativity, and social-emotional learning to help young people connect more deeply with their own strengths.

It’s also the kind of work that resonates deeply with what we’ve been exploring at Inner Strength. Over the past year, we’ve been developing our own AI Teaching Assistant to support students’ emotional wellness and deepen engagement with our mindfulness curriculum. Like TCBMe, we’re not just experimenting with what’s possible—we’re grounding our work in what students actually need, and how they want to learn.

That shared commitment to thoughtful innovation is what first drew me to Derrick Tarver, TCBMe’s founder. We met at a youth mental health fair hosted by We Love Philly. Both of our organizations were tabling, and we naturally struck up a conversation. Derrick’s vision, energy, and focus on real-world impact were clear from the start. We’ve stayed connected ever since—sharing ideas, strategies, and opportunities—and when I decided to write about youth-centered AI, TCBMe was at the top of my list.

Starting with Listening

Derrick founded That Could Be Me Foundation in 2021, in the thick of the pandemic—a time marked by personal loss, national unrest, and a deep sense that something had to change. He kept hearing the phrase, “That could’ve been me,” echoing in his mind. His mother encouraged him to flip it: “That could be me.” The idea stuck. He trademarked it, then built a nonprofit around it.

Derrick’s background makes this work deeply personal. At age eight, he received a full scholarship to a prep school, an opportunity that shaped his identity and sense of possibility. He now brings that same spirit of access and belonging to youth across the region. Before founding TCBMe, Derrick worked extensively in behavioral health and youth advocacy—including running transitional housing programs for young people coming out of behavioral health court systems.

He’s nationally certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid, serves on the Blue Cross Health Equity Advocacy Council, and is Treasurer of the Healthy Families & Communities of Southern New Jersey organization. In 2023, his vision for TCBMe won the $50,000 grand prize in the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia’s Well City Challenge, a health equity accelerator aimed at sparking community-driven solutions.

Through it all, Derrick has remained laser-focused on what really matters: creating tools with young people—not just for them.

The Role of Technology

That Could Be Me Foundation has developed a platform where students can express themselves through AI-generated soundtracks, digital art, and interactive reflection activities. A gamified points system keeps them engaged, but the real draw is the ability to create something personal—and be recognized for it.

Kevin Beideman, a Computer Science student at La Salle University (Class of 2026), has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life. He’s passionate about game design, youth cybersecurity awareness, and using generative AI for social good. In his spare time, he builds AI bots just for fun—and his love for technology shows in the intentionality of TCBMe’s design.

“It feels great to know that my passion for online learning and gamification can help TCBMe shape the way youth understand and engage in topics that are often attached to stigma,” Kevin shared.

Kevin helped lead the development of the platform’s gamified features, drawing from his own experience with classroom competition growing up. He also reworked TCBMe’s survey tools using a platform called Tally, turning what could’ve been a tedious evaluation process into a dynamic, interactive experience. It’s a small but powerful example of what happens when young people are trusted to help design the very tools meant to support other young people.

Adaptable by Design

That Could Be Me Foundation doesn’t offer a one-size-fits-all program. They partner with community organizations—churches, youth programs, aquariums, even lot beautification groups—and co-create boot camps that match the specific needs of each group. That flexibility isn’t a workaround. It’s a core design feature. Every session centers the voices, visions, and realities of the young people who show up.

This approach mirrors how we think about program design at Inner Strength. One of the most important things we’ve learned over the years is that young people already have the insight—they just need space, guidance, and the right tools to explore it.

Health Equity, Grounded in Practice

Derrick is intentional about framing all of this through the lens of health equity—not just mental health, not just tech, but true access to care, connection, and choice. TCBMe prioritizes underserved youth and partners with organizations already rooted in the communities they serve. They meet students where they are, honor lived experience, and center joy, voice, and creative expression.

Their program design also includes discussion about AI bias, limitations, and safe use. They don’t just give youth tools and walk away—they walk beside them. Whether it’s teaching prompt engineering, building visual representations of emotion, or helping students craft a personal audio “introduction” using AI-generated soundtracks, every activity is a blend of expression and reflection.

Rooted in Relationships

That Could Be Me Foundation is still entirely volunteer-run, but the momentum is real. They’ve received funding from the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, the Philadelphia City Fund, and the Philadelphia Foundation. They’ve also been supported by La Salle University, Microsoft Tech for Social Impact, and Google for Nonprofits, whose partnership has helped bring the platform to life and scale thoughtfully.

Just as importantly, they’ve built strong relationships with trusted local partners—and with the students who co-create each step. Derrick often reminds people that this isn’t about “delivering” something to young people. It’s about building something with them. From the program structure to the language used to the creative tools selected, everything is designed with care—and with input.

Measuring What Matters

TCBMe’s approach to evaluation is grounded in Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), ensuring that impact metrics reflect the lived experiences and voices of the communities they serve. The foundation’s ongoing outcomes research is governed by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at La Salle University, adding rigor and ethical oversight to the work.

This summer, TCBMe will share preliminary findings at the 8th Annual Philadelphia Trauma Training Conference on July 30th, offering insights into how creativity, technology, and culturally responsive SEL practices are helping youth build resilience in a changing world.

Want to connect?

Community partners can reach out via the “Get Involved” page at tcbmefoundation.org.