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.

Lorena Patterson

As the President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the State of North Carolina, I focus on helping Latino and Hispanic business owners prosper by helping them grow their businesses in NC, nationally, and internationally. This is a passion of mine as I am also a Latina business owner and understand the challenges experienced by entrepreneurs and see the growth opportunities available to my community. This is particularly important because Hispanic/Latino businesses contribute $36.9 billion to NC’s GDP and yet many residents are unaware of this contribution. Additionally, there are stigmas that exist that portray Latinos as only doing manual labor or construction jobs. We at the Chamber are working to change this stigma by advocating for Hispanic/Latino businesses and highlighting the community’s contributions to influencers in the State. Read more>>

Abby Schwantz

I’m a boudoir, lifestyle and wedding photographer so my clientele can range dramatically in terms of the people I meet, work with and serve through my job. However, as is so often the case in our world, those who aren’t “picture perfect” can have limited opportunities compared to those who society deems are. There can be so many trivial reasons why someone may receive a “no” from a photographer after inquiring – sexual orientation, body type, ethnicity, living with a disability, or beyond – and that can be DEVASTATING. In my business, I strive to make sure I work with everyone. If you’re a kind, respectful individual who needs photos, I’m here to make you feel at home in your experience and deliver on that. Especially in my boudoir work, I find it is so important to meet women of all ages, body types, ethnicities, etc, where they are and remind them that they are a community and person worth being photographed, because they’ve so often been shamed into thinking they are undeserving of it. One of my past boudoir clients, a heavy set girl who has always struggled with her weight and self esteem, told me that after her boudoir session, at 26, it was the first time in her life she felt like she wasn’t hiding from the mirrors in her house. Another boudoir client, one who previously had suffered from an eating disorder, silently cried while she touched photos of her own naked body and told me that she liked how her belly looked for the first time. When you open the doors for these people to feel loved and celebrated, not only are they incredibly loyal clients, but they have a life changing experience, simply because you held the door open for them, and no one else ever had. Read more>>

 Iyla Wood

An Angel’s Advocate is a Nonprofit Organization whose mission is to serve the youth in our surroundings communities through advocacy, service and impact. As an educator I see first hand that some students are unable to come to school prepared, not because their parents don’t care, but because they simply don’t have the funds to purchase school supplies and pay bills that is if they even have a place to stay. In recent studies from Education in Atlanta “in Atlanta Public Schools, students identified as homeless make up 51% for elementary school, 19% for middle school, and 30% for high school.” It truly breaks my heart to see these statistics which is why it is imperative to make an impact when and where you can. On Monday July 31st 2023 An Angel’s Advocate hosted our 2nd Annual Back to School Supplies Giveaway at Saint Smyrna Baptist Church in my hometown Newnan Georgia. This event was a huge success and many left with fully loaded book bags and smiling faces! Read more>>

Iliana Ramirez

I appreciate your interest in Meaningful Occasions and our dedication to serving underserved communities. We’re proud to share our story through our four signature initiatives, each designed to make a positive impact on different age groups in Boston. Read more>>

Cosmo Zimik

Welcome to Empty Hand Combat (EHC), the home of the ‘Warrior’ ! What a great sound that is to someone who has been repeatedly tagged a “loser” and “useless” by society. This is the aim of the EHC’s juvenile program­‐ to change losers to warriors and champions through martial arts training, life skills training and mentoring. Read more>>

Lara Coffer

I believe in Responsible Tourism and giving back to the country you are traveling to. The US is my homeland, but during all my travels, I connected to Mexico with all of my heart. I love the people, land, music, food, culture and history. I consider Mexico my “heartland”. In 2017, I took a personal development course that was focused on teaching leadership skills. They required you to demonstrate hands-on during the 3 months course by putting together a leadership project. I decided to combine two of my passions for my project: volunteering and Mexico! My project was to remodel a forgotten orphanage in Mexico. This project was a huge success and started a community-wide interest and investment in the orphanage, so much so that the Governor of Quintana Roo visited and rededicated the entire orphanage. After that, I decided to keep this passion rolling and officially started my non-profit called Lights of Love. Our mission is to provide love, hope, and support to underserved communities in Mexico. We have completed several outreach projects including remodeling an orphanage, revamping a senior living home, and a major construction project to build new rooms for a dignified death clinic. While the service projects had to take a small break during COVID-19, we are back in the planning stages for our next project. Read more>>

Carly Jones

Apart of our brand mission is to uplift our clients by building self-esteem and awareness. We are helping others to define their essence by embracing their morals, values, and character through physical appearance. Our slogan is “Serving Unapologetically” and we want our clients to uphold a sense of confidence regardless of where they are or what they are doing. We currently partner with a local non-profit agency in Kansas City, MO called Show Me You Care KC. Their overall purpose is to help rebuild the community and provide resources to those in need, housing, and transitional living. During the prom season, we assist Show Me You Care with designing and creating promo dresses for girls in need and any additional services the organization might need. Read more>>

Tamesha Allen

Tamesha Speaks, LLC is a game-changer in the world of higher education. Her primary goal is to create a financial aid pathway which caters to underserved and underrepresented students and families in the African American community who are seeking to pursue higher education without accumulating student loan debt. Tamesha has established strong collaborations and partnerships with various high schools, colleges and universities, youth organizations, and churches to provide better and more accessible ways of funding education through private and federal scholarships and grants. Tamesha Speaks is bold and unapologetic in her approach to creating a better future for students. Her six to eight-week programs, workshops, and webinars design to provide comprehensive support to students in scholastic standing, funding, application process, and network development. This unique approach is paving the way for a brighter future for students who are often overlooked and undervalued. Read more>>

Hazel Ortega

Through my nonprofit High Tide Global, I work with making vocational education, entrepreneurship advice available for people coming from underserved communities as well as nurturing comprehensive solutions to motivation, mental health, and employment for the system-impacted community. Read more>>

Bm25

In the heart of the South Bay, a revolutionary force is taking over the body modification scene – BM25.com. This avant-garde body mod jewelry shop has made it its mission to represent the punks, the goths, and the outcasts with a diverse range of affirming body jewelry. From nipple barbells to 2 gauge clicker hoops, BM25.com is reshaping the narrative of self-expression and identity through body modification. Read more>>

Kathleen Crocetti

Community Arts & Empowerment is a non-profit organization, our mission is to make art for, by and with the public, to build community identity, pride, and connections through public art projects, and to foster creativity and empower communities through the arts. Read more>>

Mayra Perez

Core Foundations Consulting was created to address the gaps I found that were constantly being highlighted in the neurodivergent field. I have worked in the field of ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) since 2008. In all those years, there were needs that I consistently attempted to address. Parents often find themselves thrusted into this intricate field, grappling with intimidating terminology, difficult processes, and a lack of support. Many are unfamiliar with the complexities of the school system, such as Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 plans, unaware of applicable laws and procedures, and uncertain about the resources at their disposal. Making informed decisions becomes a challenge when crucial factors remain unknown. Some educators don’t know how to best address a child’s needs or how to teach a certain skill. So, throughout the years, I have learned and taught my clients whenever I could. I realized this consistent need was a problem that I decided to tackle. Core Foundations Consulting was created to consult, guide and train anyone who may need it and want it. The worst feeling is to need help and not know where to turn. The goal is to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions, teach skills, and advocate for the best interests of those they care for. I aim to be the unwavering support that individuals, educators, and families can turn to, ensuring that no one feels alone on their journey toward understanding, advocacy, and empowerment. Read more>>

Donald Lea

Our organization provides meals to the homeless. DLeaMinistries serve on average 60 men monthly by providing meals and essential services to a underserved community. We believe it’s important to serve those that are less fortunate because Jesus commands us to serve everyone. Serving those that are less fortunate is very important to me because I remember being homeless myself. Read more>>

Jeff Campbell

Yes, we support children and teenagers who lack a music instrument to participate in a school or after school music program. Hungry for Music also supports youth social workers & school counselors that have clients who would benefit from our outreach. Read more>>