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.

David Lopez

Credstart has worked closely with shelters that support women escaping abusive situations. Unfortunately, abuse often extends beyond the physical and mental to include financial control. Abusers can damage their partner’s credit, making it incredibly difficult for them to gain independence. We partner with these shelters to provide both credit repair services and financial advice. By helping these women rebuild their credit, we empower them to secure rental properties, possibly buy a home, obtain a vehicle, and even access job opportunities that require credit checks. In essence, we give them a real chance to regain their independence and build a secure future for themselves and their families. Read more>>

Lacey Taylor

Stay-at-home Mom, Housewife, Homemaker, Domestic caregiver. However, you want to define people who are the primary caretakers of the home. That is the underserved community that the Melanated Millennial Homemaker(MMH) Brand caters to. With a private community of over 1.5K women from all walks of life, a domestic caregiver university(Melanated Homemaker University M.H.U.), and a private Facebook community Queen Muva’s Suga Lump VIP community. The Melanated Millennial Homemaker Brand uplifts, advocates, and educates people who strive to make their homes a peaceful abode using psychological theory. Sadly, Domestic caregivers are looked upon as lazy, or useless, when that’s the furthest thing from the truth. Domestic caregivers are the backbone of society. Read more>>

Ariana Solis Gomez

At Second Labels, we’re not just about fashion – we’re about empowerment, community, and making sustainable style accessible to all. Our consignment services not only support shoppers looking for affordable, quality pieces but also provide a vital income stream for sellers, many of whom are women seeking to support their families, fund their education, or simply earn extra money in challenging times. Sustainability shouldn’t be exclusive to those with disposable income. By encouraging people to buy second-hand, we’re promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle accessible to everyone. Second Labels turns fast fashion on its head, making sustainability affordable and practical for all communities, especially those disproportionately impacted by environmental harm. Read more>>

Jacob Bartlett

There’s no shortage of charitable organizations that we could be helping. One thing that the Circle City Ghostbusters has always strived to do, however, is to focus our fundraising efforts on local charities. They may not have the name recognition that bigger groups do, but we have always felt like we’d like to make a more local impact. In this regard, we have seen first hand how our contributions have helped. One of our favorite organizations to raise money for is the Dayspring Center. The Dayspring Center is a homeless shelter here in Indianapolis that focuses on getting struggling families back on their feet. One of the most special things about working with the Dayspring Center is that they are so immensely grateful for what we do for them. They share our contributions on social media, they invite us to be a part of their fundraising events, and we have developed personal connections with the staff there. Read more>>

Jah Pugh

I come from a treacherous background, Brooklyn, everything about where I’m from says, underserved. As I grew older and made it out of my circumstances despite all odds that were stacked against me, I made it my mission to go back where I’m from, and every place like it, to pour back and give everything that we were never given. I felt as if— if I could make it out and overcome the same struggles and obstacles that almost every inner city of America faces, and achieve the remarkable feats that I’ve achieved, then there’s hope for all of us because I’m no different from them. The only difference is, I made it out. I didn’t succumb to my environment, the oppression, my circumstance, my situation. I gained tools, knowledge, and wisdom along the way, whether it was— what to do? Or what not to do. I went through the process, didn’t make no excuses. I didn’t take no shortcuts or cheat codes, I acquired many things along the way and I feel as if it is my duty, most importantly my mission, to give back everything that was given to me along this journey. I always tell people what you go through ain’t really for you, but for somebody else who’s counting on you to vanquish that very thing so they could have some type of hope that they could do it too. Read more>>