Our stories are often hard to understand until folks understand our true motivations, our true drivers and the stories behind why our mission or purpose truly matters to us. We’ve asked some inspiring folks from the community to talk to us about why they do what they do and have shared some of our favorite responses below.
Simona Rozhko
Before clean beauty was a movement — back when it was still called “green beauty” and Tata Harper was just breaking through — I launched one of the first PR agencies dedicated entirely to it. At the time, I was working inside traditional firms where beauty wasn’t the main vertical, and I saw a massive gap: mission-driven founders, innovative products, and brands setting a new standard for the market and today’s consumer were beginning to emerge — Read More>>
Kimberly Vincent
Topknotch Vegan Vittles is on a mission to make plant-based food accessible and empowering—especially for underserved communities. As a caregiver turned vegan chef, I’ve seen how food can heal, educate, and uplift. This isn’t just a business—it’s a movement to bring nourishment, knowledge, and opportunity to those who need it most. Read More>>
Calvin King
When you break it down backwards; Free Lunch Academy, is a school of thought (Academy), serving food for thought (Lunch), firmly rooted in educational entertainment (F.R.E.E.). Meaning, everything we do within the social emotional artistic learning space is done from an “edutaining” perspective. Read More>>
Sahir Champion
Our mission is to provide a voice for the voiceless—to amplify the stories of those who have been overlooked, dismissed, or told they don’t belong. We stand for the fighters, the ones who have had to break barriers, navigate silence, and carve out space in places that weren’t built for them. Read More>>
Lakeisha Burrows
My mission was forged in the fire, through loss, heartbreak, betrayal, and the crushing weight of having to rebuild a life with nothing but faith, my four children, and a yes to God. But even in the valley, His voice never left me. And now, I’ve been called to lead others out. But in every season, one thing remained: God’s call on my life to rise up and lead other women with truth, boldness, and integrity. Read More>>
Sharmaine Brown
Jared’s Heart of Success was a vision, one that came from a place of deep pain, but also deep purpose.
On July 11, 2015, my son Jared was taken from us by a stray bullet. He was just 23 years old. Jared had the biggest heart, he was kind, giving, and always willing to help someone in need. He loved his family, his friends, and his community. Losing him shattered my world. But even in that heartbreak, I knew I couldn’t let his life end in silence. Read More>>
Shannon Sanders, Jr.
The mission behind Cape Coast Co. starts with my grandfather’s journey—from Oakland to Ghana—where he opened Cape Coast Coffee House. It wasn’t just about coffee. It was about building something meaningful from the ground up: a space for connection, culture, and community. Read More>>
JEANIE DAWSON-BURRISS
My mission is providing a platform over the radio air waves to help build the Kingdom of God through Preaching, Teaching, Testimonies, Inspirational & Encouraging Music, Community Happenings, Community Outreach through the Just Jeanie Media Foundation Inc by serving others with food, clothing, blankets, cleaning supplies, etc. Read More>>
Anna Gibbs
I’m drawn to the quiet, unscripted moments – the ones that happen in passing but manage to say everything. My mission is to catch those and reflect them back in a way that helps more of us slow down and notice the magic of the moment. I’m less interested in perfection or performance and more interested in the honest in-between moments that show up when no one’s trying too hard – Read More>>
Donnell Glenn
Being great at sports and looking forward to “making it” as a future NFL or NBA player seems to be the dream dangling in front of many brown boys such as myself growing up in the under served areas of Philadelphia. As the oldest son out of 6 kids, 4 which are male, I sought interest in pursuing my love for animals, Don’t get it twisted, I was one of the fastest and best football players around that time, with high hopes of making it to the NFL but as most started to tease, they would say “Donnie you gave up sports for those d**m horses” not knowing my love for them is what saved my life! Read More>>
Kara Ricciardi
Stretchy Pants Food Tours is passionate about using food to connect people and celebrate local culture and history. Our mission is to create immersive and authentic culinary experiences that showcase the unique flavors and stories of San Francisco (and future cities we may expand into!). We know that food has the power to bring people together, foster understanding, and create lasting memories. Read More>>
Leana Myra
I come from a line of family business. My parents were also entrepreneurs and started a fertilizer company way back in 1990, with very little money and only some hopes to be financially independent. My dad didn’t want to work for someone else- he was working in the ag industry and always behind exposed to toxic chemicals and an unhealthy workplace so he started his own organic fertilizer company- he even invented his one products and pate tented them. Read More>>