There’s a concept of the Matthew Effect which uses math to illustrate what folks have lamented about for thousands of years – the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. Take tech for example – the rich and poor often have different problems, but because it’s more profitable to solve problems for the wealthy a disproportionate share of tech innovation focuses on solving problems for the affluent. However, it doesn’t have to be this way – and we have been blown away by the thousands of members of our community who have devoted their lives through their businesses, organizations and art to serve the underserved.

Hyidea’ Burgess

God’s House for Queens Ministry Inc. (GHQMI) is dedicated to transforming the lives of underserved teenage girls from low to middle-income homes, group homes, and juvenile facilities. These girls face significant challenges, such as financial instability, lack of access to quality education, and insufficient support systems. GHQMI addresses these issues by providing mentorship, educational support, and life skills training, focusing on biblical principles, academic excellence, financial literacy, health and wellness, sisterhood, etiquette, and community service. Read more>>

Jamila Dawkins

I would say that meeting and sharing experiences with other Black women with keloid scarring who were excited about my business is one of the most fulfilling parts of what I do. There is some research to suggest that it may be overrepresented among Black people and those with darker skin tones, but it’s heavily underexplored. It really clicked when I met a woman who shared that the lasting pain she has experienced since getting her keloids surgically removed has made her regret her surgery. There’s definitely some shame in sharing stories about keloids. They’re not pretty—when I model my jewelry on myself, I almost never take photos on the ear with the scar.  Read more>>

Jocelyn Zhu

I can still feel the adrenaline from that day on the soccer field as an 11 year old in my hometown of Jackson, Mississippi. I was playing as right defender, known for my speed and determination. The moment the ball came my way, I seized the opportunity, sprinting down the sideline with everything I had. My teammates, in perfect sync, ran their routes flawlessly. Just as the opposing defense closed in, I executed a precise pass to my best friend, Emma. She took the shot and scored, sealing our victory. Read more>>

Jorge Mata

I create content that highlights the Latino culture (focused on the Mexican culture) based in Texas and mixes in the Spanish language with English language in my content creation. The Spanish speaking and Latino community is such an underserved and untapped market and I want to elevate culture to show the world that a typical Texan is not the stereotypical cowboy that people immediately think of and includes a much more diverse population that includes a large latino and Spanish speaking community that is largely ignored. Read more>>

Kerrri-ann Coombs

De’Cordova Eyewear business is dedicated to serving an underserved community. We are blessed to partner with Dr. Desmond Parkin with Negril Vision Center, in Negril Jamaica to provide vision screening to children who struggle with vision issues but lack access to eye care. In many low-income areas, these kids often go without proper eye screenings, which can lead to undiagnosed vision problems that affect their learning and development. One story that really highlights the impact of our work involves a young girl from a small town where resources are limited. Her teachers noticed that she was having trouble keeping up in class, but it wasn’t clear why. She often squinted at the board and had difficulty reading her assignments.  Read more>>

Natasha Garcia

The NM Reentry Center is committed to serving justice-involved men and women transitioning from incarceration. We provide personalized peer support, comprehensive case management, service navigation, and housing assistance. Read more>>

Nesha Brown

Yes, Conqueror Consulting Group is deeply committed to serving underserved communities, particularly in North Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In North Baton Rouge, a community often overlooked by traditional financial institutions, many individuals and families find themselves in a cycle of debt due to limited access to affordable financial resources. Predatory lending practices, such as payday loans with exorbitant interest rates, have become a common fallback for residents facing financial shocks. These loans offer a temporary solution but often lead to long-term financial struggles, trapping people in a cycle of debt and despair. This is where our commitment begins. Read more>>

Shemica Allen

Personalized Learning Solutions, LLC serves an underserved community by helping parents of students with disabilities navigate the special education process in the public school system in order to access appropriate educational services for their child. I am a resource for underserved parents as I help them engage in the education of their children by being an active participate in the special education process. Many times, parents of students with disabilities are less likely to engage with the public school system due to language, access, or socio-economic barriers. I help by providing support to parents to overcome these types of barriers which in turn can strengthen the relationship between parents and school districts. Read more>>

Ssanyu Lukoma

When I was 12 years old, I had a conversation with my friend, another 12-year-old boy, who told me that he didn’t like to read anymore because the books in our school district didn’t represent young, Puerto-Rican boys like him. When I heard his mindset, I was devastated but determined. From four years old, my parents were very intentional about crafting a home library for me that featured both mirror and window books. Mirror books are stories where I felt reflected in and could relate to the main characters, and window books are stories where I could step into someone else’s shoes and view the world through their eyes.  Read more>>

Erica Rivera

As the founder of Career Diva Coaching and the community UNITED We Search, my work is all about making sure everyone has a shot at success, no matter where they started. I know what it’s like to feel stuck—I grew up in poverty, became a pregnant high school dropout, and worked my way from McDonald’s to managing a limousine office before finding my way into big tech working for companies like Google. My journey wasn’t easy, and that’s why I’m passionate about helping others who’ve been told to just keep their heads down and be grateful for what they have. Read more>>