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.

Julia Griffith

J&L Keepsakes LLC serves an underserved community by offering affordable DNA jewelry, specifically breastmilk and cremation jewelry, in a market where many prices have risen steeply. In today’s economic climate, where costs are rapidly increasing, many families find it hard to justify purchasing meaningful keepsakes without breaking the bank. By keeping prices realistic and working within each customer’s budget—whether modest or substantial—J&L Keepsakes ensures that everyone has the chance to commemorate meaningful moments in life. Read more>>

Alison Bunce

The Bunce Bakes mission is to be kind to your body, kind to the Earth. Not only are we eco-conscious – our packaging is made up of compostable and recyclable materials, but we are also community conscious. We partnered with UCLA Health as monthly volunteers by offering baking classes to hospital patients and their families. The Tiverton is a UCLA Health hotel dedicated to hospital patients and their families. Our baking class attendees have told us how much they enjoy and look forward to our classes. We feel honored to be able to add some engaging fun to those whose lives revolve around being in a hospital everyday. Read more>>

Lora Williams

At Williams Career School of Excellence (WCSE) and Treasured Protégé, we focus on serving underserved communities in Central Texas, particularly youth aging out of foster care and low-income individuals. One story that captures our mission begins with Resilience, a young woman who came to us through Treasured Protégé. We are using the name Resilience to protect the identity of the youth serve. Resilience spent most of her childhood in foster care, never finding the stability or support she needed. When she turned 18, she aged out of the system, like many others, with no safety net or guidance. Facing homelessness and uncertainty, she was overwhelmed by the challenges of adulthood. Sadly, this is the reality for many foster youth, as over 20% become homeless upon aging out in Texas. This community, often forgotten, faces significant barriers, and their future often seems bleak without intervention. Read more>>

Sj Spreng

Give Kids Art (GKA) is committed to supporting underserved and low-income communities, with a focus on children who often lack access to arts education and creative outlets due to financial constraints or systemic inequities. We provide free art programs and workshops through a variety of partner organizations, such as Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) and various branches of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. By providing opportunities for kids to create fearlessly, we aim to help participants develop stronger self-awareness and self-compassion. Read more>>

Rita Stevens

Silent Voyces is a nonprofit organization that provides advocacy and support for special needs families. We understand that special needs do not discriminate against any group of people. Although there are specific laws that have been put in place for special needs children, we often see them underserved and underrepresented in different aspects of life. Something as simple as enjoying a movie, a child that is considered nonverbal has no accommodation to share his or her input on what they see or experience. The same is true for families that only have access to state provided insurance, they have limited access to healthcare options unlike the average family that has primary insurance. Despite having education laws in place, children with disabilities are often judged and educated based on their disability versus their ability and without the right special education advocate this becomes another missed opportunity for that child’s growth. These missed opportunities create a greater level of burden on the parents and ultimately the overall family by lowering the quality of life of the child, increase the long-term financial burden, exacerbate Read more>>

Dovelie Lovelie

There is an importance of work to be done rediscovering and helping shine a light on artistic origins which had or or still have a Black/BIPOC artistic influence established in areas of LA/OC, and believe it or not, In Southern California as a whole. Currently witnessing and undergone the results of mass development which displaces independent and local art community centers, as well as housing for generational residents, I reference in my art these very subjects in hopes to keep aware of what is being further dismissed or under recognized for reasons both known and unknown. Having curated and participated in exhibitions which showcased various expressions and materials, I feel that many other black artists as well as myself, constantly utilize collective awareness and advocate for ourselves by providing realities of existence. While this occurs, we still face aspects of pushback of being seen by products of micro-aggressions, and at times our work being regarded as having no intrinsic value. But, we know that these things couldn’t be anymore further from the truth. Read more>>

Angel Turner

Nanna’s Country Cakes®️ Foundation serves an underserved community and we do so with humility and gratitude. Life has taught us to be grateful for the opportunity to share our love of culinary arts. We believe in quality foods, exquisite taste, and the importance of traditional family recipes. By incorporating a global perspective, we aim to introduce our community to new cultural tastes, nutritional concepts, and a sense of home. It is our mission to bring comfort and joy to those who need it most, by providing meals that are not only nutritious and delicious, but also filled with love and warmth. We want to create a space where everyone feels welcome and valued, regardless of their background or circumstances. Read more>>

Dionne Washington

Yes, Project Roots AZ grows fresh, organic produce specifically for underserved communities across Arizona. We use innovative growing techniques like tower gardens and backyard farms to maximize our yield in urban areas, and we distribute this food through partnerships with organizations like St. Mary’s Food Bank, AZ Food Bank Network and Pinnacle Prevention to name a few. By growing on our farm and using sustainable methods, we’re able to provide healthy food options to families who might otherwise face barriers to accessing fresh produce. St. Mary’s Food Bank helps us reach a wider range of communities, ensuring that the food we grow gets into the hands of those who need it most. This collaboration allows us to make a direct impact on food security across the state. Our goal is to make sure that every community has access to nutritious, high-quality food, regardless of income level or geographic location. Read more>>

Robin Canfield

Over the ten-odd years I have been working as a web and graphic designer I have had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of people over a wide variety of industries. As I honed my skills, I also honed my clientele to focus on those who I felt I was helping the most: women and minority-owned businesses whose principal focus was doing something for the greater good. I don’t remember when I first I learned about the concept of noblesse oblige, but it is a principal that has stuck with me for most of my life. In short, noblesse oblige says that if you are given a certain privilege, station, or talent in life it is your duty to use it for those who are less fortunate. This principal guides me in my personal and professional life and is one of the foundations of Ramble Design. It also, although often as unnamed, is a foundation of my clients’ organizations. My clients are helping their community through services such as freediving, creative writing, colonoscopy screening, and even providing in-country adoption options for South Africans. I cannot work without passion, and I have found that it is the same for the clients I work best with.  Read more>>

Venus

I would say so, I volunteer at a non profit once a week and work with kids to teach them new activities and give them attention that they might not receive at home. A lot of the kids/ teens there are in foster care or low income housing, so they don’t get too many opportunities to do things for themselves. Volunteering at the West Fresno Boys and Girls Club helped me notice that everyone’s situation is different and a kid can be going through so much but still come into the building with a smile and respect. One teen in particular, was having a tough time at home but still managed to respect all the staff members, show up to work, helped with no hesitation or frustration and took care of her 2 little sisters while juggling school, all at age 14. Her actions really stood out to me and I knew I wanted to give back to her in some way. Read more>>

Shametra Mcgregor

Operation Turkey was established with a mission of providing, Thanksgiving meals to individuals and families in need. I’ve been a volunteer with Operation Turkey for 11 years. Annually, I would post a question on social media asking if anyone needs a meal or knows of anyone who needs a meal and to DM me or send a text. The responses were overwhelming each time. I used this information – quantitative research – and determined that there was a greater need in my community during the holidays. In 2023, I started and currently serve as the City Leader for Operation Turkey Elgin because I saw a need in my own community. By having Operation Turkey in Elgin, my volunteers and I are able to provide 2500 meals on Thanksgiving Day. Elgin is a small suburban town near Austin, and we are able to feed the homeless as well as families that are unable to afford Thanksgiving Day meals in our town and a neighboring town. I am hopeful that what was started here in Elgin will help other small, local towns establish an Operation Turkey so no one goes hungry at Thanksgiving. Read more>>

Miko Aguilar

As a dance music producer and a DJ, it’s common to have ‘playing big clubs’ high up in your bucket list, While I’m thankful that I’m slowly getting these opportunities, I’m also realizing that I’m not as excited to play clubs downtown as the rest. What excites me is bringing house music to members of the community who don’t frequent night clubs. I am part of that segment who loves the music and culture behind it but don’t feel comfortable being in high brow venues. One pro is I don’t have to compete with all the other DJs. On the other hand, it’s harder to book gigs. But every gig I play feels warm and grounded. One memorable moment for me is when one bar patron started swaying in her chair and raised her arms, absorbing the music intimately. Another one is when somebody approach me after my set and told me he wasn’t planning on dancing that night but my set drew him to the dance floor. Making people move without them planning to is a different high. I see myself as a missionary for dance music, to aid the underserved to experience a natural release to improve their well-being. Read more>>

Abby Rocha

We work exclusively with start-up and independent retailers looking to rent a space for their business — our clients, Pedal Retailers, are completely left out of the commercial real estate industry, and most of them don’t realize it until they’ve been burned. Most retail real estate brokers work with “insiders” – companies like Starbucks and lululemon who have very sophisticated in-house commercial real estate departments. Industry outsiders have a really tough time, and more often than not, get bad deals or inferior spaces as a result. So much of the notoriously high failure rate for new businesses can be attributed to bad real estate deals. While the niche of first time retailers is, itself, underserved, the majority of Pedal Retailers are from marginalized communities who often don’t have access to the very straight, white, male commercial real estate industry. With every Pedal Retailer we represent, we challenge stereotypes about what successful business ownership looks like. Read more>>