One of the most important ways to have a large impact in life is by focusing on communities that are ignored and overlooked. These communities are often the ones most in need of help, tools, and services but for a variety of reasons the largest players in most industries chose not to work on serving them. We’ve been so touched by the thousands of members of our community who are working on serving the underserved from tackling food deserts to building empowering solutions for the neurodiverse. Each week, you’ll find us highlighting folks serving underserved communities.

Jeannette Gogetter Chapman

There are many individuals and new businesses owners that are in need of services and education to assist in their start up and growth. I aim to educate, elevate and empower those who are most in need of help with their business journey. My goal is to not just assist people in starting their business, but to help them stay in business successfully. Read more>>

FERRELL SURETTE JR

Almost 10 years ago I saw a need in the underserved areas around Houston for cheap, reliable transportation. I was volunteering for local bicycle advocacy groups and their research showed that over 1 million bicycles were unused and in poor condition, well a light bulb went off in my head and I came up with the idea of having folks donate their used, unwanted or broken bicycles and I could put my 40 plus years of bicycle repair knowledge to use and recycle the donations back into the underserved communities Read more>>

Kendall Robinson

One new venture that I recently decided to partake in during the New Year is increasing my work with youth doing art outreach. It is one of my greatest passions to inspire children, especially in underserved communities to tap into their creative side and see art as an outlet and a tool for success. We as humans are innately creative and express that the most as children however, as we get older many of us are persuaded to put art on the back burner and focus on a career path that is more “stable” even if it is not rooted in our passions. Read more>>

Steve Kreider

When I’m not mentoring and being a father to my adult children, producing TV shows, or being a court mediator, I collaborate with other veterans who are passionate about Veteran affairs, and the plight of the homeless who served in the Armed Forces. I am very passionate about these causes, and I have spent countless hours committed to helping homeless Veterans, reconnecting them with family and loved ones. I co-founded two non-profits dedicated to ending Veteran homelessness. Read more>>

Tony Smith

Our mission is to help people capture their businesses, sport, or event with an elevated production level they can feel proud of sharing with others. High-quality drone photography and production are expensive, Airborne Perspectives puts people before price by providing discounts for non-profit organizations and female / minority-owned businesses. By breaking down the cost barrier of creating compelling digital content, we can even the playing field for those who don’t have big marketing or photography budgets to share their story. Read more>>

Kimberly Epps

Being able to serve is always something I have made a priority to do, and teach my kids as well. I heard a quote years ago that said” Giving back, is the taxes you pay to be human.” When I first moved back to Atlanta in 2013, I did not have a place to stay. At one point, I slept in my car until a friend of mine told me I could sleep at his home. He had just moved and had no furniture so I made a pallet on the floor. Read more>>

Kathy Lofton

When I resided in Dallas, TX, shortly after graduating from college, I did not go home that first Christmas. Earlier that holiday week, I had already decided where I would spend Christmas Day: beneath the “mix master.” This was the area of the freeway where all the routes met and appeared entangled. Below the freeway was an encampment of homeless people. Read more>>

Reginald Parker

Underserved communities are the first, worst, and hardest hit by climate change. Further, they pay more for electricity than overserved communities. I founded Optimal Technology Corporation to develop a suite of technologies to intelligently save electricity, money, and the planet for these communities. I also co-founded Green Power Ventures and Freedman Green Bank to fund and asset manage facilities at institutions in underserved communities. Read more>>

Erica Tso Haidas

Being a person of color on the Cape can often feel exhausting. It is not an ethnically diverse place, and we are constantly navigating spaces that don’t feel like they’re for us — even if the spaces are welcoming. I have many personal stories and stories from friends and colleagues that illustrate this constant struggle, ranging from well-intentioned comments with negative impacts to microaggressions to straight out racism. And these experiences build and build and build until you feel like you either have to leave or you need to create the safe space that is missing. Read more>>

Deion Messiah

As the CEO of Don Devitto, I take great pride in being able to help as many people as possible in every underserved or low income area the globe. That being said, Don Devitto’s first Annual Giveback had to happen in Charlotte, North Carolina. Closest to home on Beatties Ford road, at Great Things. Great Things is a staple of the culture, and a long lasting resource for fashion. Read more>>

Janea Harris

I serve the underserved communities by providing education and financial resources to include a mentorship program. My STAMP mentorship program allows opportunities for enrolled participants to take advantage of internships, job shadowing, and On -the- job training with professionals in their industry of interest. We believe in paving the way for the underserved by providing tools to assist with them becoming self-sufficient and financially independent. Read more>>

Ambar Maceo-Rossi

I’ve always been drawn to help or stand by people who cannot voice their concerns or are, for whatever reason, at a disadvantage. In school that almost always meant that I was speaking up or keeping other’s secrets because in my view, everybody had their right to privacy and kids can be mean and nosy. As I went into middle school, my path in life was clear: I was going to become an attorney. Read more>>

VANESSA (VEE) LOPEZ

Underserved, under resources; not having sufficient service. To understand my journey , all my twist, turns, and roadblocks that came my way due to lack of information and or resources is why I choose the underserved as my clientele. Not only do I assist small businesses with various professional services, but they also gain business insight and a better understanding of how to grow their company. These past nine years of business have gave me a new perspective on the lack of knowledge and financial assistance new businesses receive. Read more>>

konstantin dimopoulos

Public art installation reveals government has done little to reduce homelessness nationwide The Purple Rain is a public art installation that I created that raised the issue about homelessness, The Purple Rain tells the stories of people whose lives have moved from the streets, uncertainty and extreme vulnerability and into jobs, academic learning and safe social environments. These are stories of abusive childhoods, disrupted education, undiagnosed mental illness, alcoholism, drug use, violence, loss and grief. Read more>>