The Story of M-Powered

M-Powered began as a vision rooted in the classroom—born from the passion and lived experience of Asli Masucci, a Reading Specialist, former Equity Lead, and seasoned ESOL educator. Asli saw firsthand how multilingual and neurodivergent students often go unseen in traditional school settings—creative, capable, and full of potential, yet rarely given the space or tools to lead.

In 2023, she launched a small, cluster-wide Multicultural Festival, drawing from her belief in the power of student voice, cultural pride, and inclusive community celebration. The festival was intended as a joyful, one-time event. But something magical happened: the students led. The families showed up. The community rallied. And the impact rippled beyond expectations.

By 2025, what started in one school had transformed into a county-wide, annual celebration—The Annual Multicultural Festival, a living, breathing example of student-led excellence. On its third year, it evolved again: this time into a year-long, student-driven project where middle schoolers didn’t just perform—they designed. They planned. They marketed, fundraised, solved real-world problems, and invited local professionals to mentor them. The festival became a laboratory for leadership, math, art, collaboration, and civic pride.

Inspired by the power of this transformation, Asli and her husband Michael Masucci—both ESOL educators who have dedicated their lives to supporting multilingual learners—founded M-Powered, a nonprofit designed to bring empowerment projects like this to more schools and districts. Michael’s deep experience as an ESOL educator and his unwavering commitment to language equity and student advocacy make him a vital co-founder and strategic leader in the organization.

M-Powered’s mission is clear: to uplift multilingual, neurodivergent, and culturally diverse youth through inclusive arts, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. The foundation supports school partnerships, year-long leadership programs, professional development for educators, and district-wide events that elevate student voice.

With a focus on creative learning, equity, and sustainable community impact, M-Powered is expanding its reach—actively building relationships with under-resourced schools, growing its fundraising efforts, and cultivating a generation of empowered learners who lead with purpose.

Because when students are trusted to lead, they don’t just participate—they transform everything