ESAI Announces First ESAI Access Grant Recipient: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Sarasota, FL — January 12, 2026) ESAI, an ethical AI platform designed to support authentic student storytelling and college readiness, today announced Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast as the first recipient of the ESAI Access Grant, a semester-based initiative providing full, no-cost access to ESAI's student and counselor tools.

For 57 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast has matched youth with caring adult mentors through evidence-based, professionally supported relationships. In the past year alone, the organization served more than 1,600 young people across a 10-county footprint, helping students achieve improved educational outcomes, increased confidence, and stronger aspirations for the future.

Through the ESAI Access Grant, participating students will receive access to ESAI's full suite of ethical AI college-application and internship tools, while counselors and staff gain access to administrative resources designed to reduce workload and increase high-impact, student-centered guidance.

"Being named an ESAI Access Grant recipient is a powerful affirmation of the importance of mentorship," said Kamala Martinez, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast. "This support allows us to reach more children, strengthen our programs, and expand access to life-changing mentoring relationships across our community."

The ESAI Access Grant reflects an investment of up to $5 million in student support tools, designed to remove barriers to access, reduce counselor overload, and ensure students receive ethical, confidence-building support during the most demanding periods of the academic year.

"We built the ESAI Access Grant to ensure that access—not privilege—determines who gets support," said Julia Dixon, Founder and CEO of ESAI. "Organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast are doing extraordinary work. Our role is to amplify that impact with ethical, human-centered technology that helps students tell their own stories with clarity and confidence."

About the ESAI Access Grant

The ESAI Access Grant is a seasonal, semester-based opportunity for schools and organizations to receive full, no-cost access to ESAI's college readiness and early career tools. The grant is designed for environments experiencing counselor overload or limited resources and includes:

• Full student access to ESAI's storytelling and application tools for up to five weeks
• Counselor Hub access with student progress insights and streamlined onboarding
• A high-impact kickoff session to ensure immediate adoption

The grant is offered with zero cost, zero risk, and no contractual obligation. To support program sustainability, recipients are asked to share limited reflections following participation, including student and counselor testimonials and a brief experience survey.

Applications are accepted year-round.

Learn more or apply at: https://esai.ai/grant

About ESAI

ESAI is an ethical AI platform designed to support authentic student storytelling across college applications, internships, and early career exploration. Built to amplify—not replace—educators and counselors, ESAI helps students develop confidence, clarity, and ownership of their personal narratives while reducing administrative burden for schools and organizations. Learn more at https://esai.ai.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast has served youth for 57 years through professionally supported mentoring relationships that foster educational success, confidence, and long-term positive outcomes. The organization serves communities across a 10-county region in Florida. Learn more at www.bbbssun.org.