There’s a concept of the Matthew Effect which uses math to illustrate what folks have lamented about for thousands of years – the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. Take tech for example – the rich and poor often have different problems, but because it’s more profitable to solve problems for the wealthy a disproportionate share of tech innovation focuses on solving problems for the affluent. However, it doesn’t have to be this way – and we have been blown away by the thousands of members of our community who have devoted their lives through their businesses, organizations and art to serve the underserved.

Lou Calanche

Not all children and youth in Los Angeles County have access to high–quality out of school enrichment programs such as after–school, weekend and summer programs and camps. Research shows that youth that have access to these programs have better academic success, healthier relationships and are exposed to mentors and opportunities that help to shape their future healthy development. Unfortunately, in low income communities parents rely on access to free enrichment programs and in many cases these programs are limited or not accessible. Therefore, in underserved communities where kids need more programs and support services, students face more obstacles and challenges for future success. ExpandLA’s goal is to work with after–school and out of school time providers to support their efforts as well as advocate for increased funding in order to ensure that all youth in Los Angeles have access to enrichment programs, mentors, and programs to support their well being. If all youth have access to high-quality programs, it would be a game changer for Los Angeles! It will lead to increased academic success and supportive and safer environments for youth in underserved communities and will ultimately lead to the future success of all youth. These services are also good for the LA region because it will also reduce crime and create safer communities for all. Read more>>

Sabine Henderson

Sabine Jean LLC is a luxury cosmetic brand that formulates skin and hair care products for people of color, or people that identify as people of color. The mainstream market has always excluded people of color, although our community makes up an overwhelming amount of total sales. We definitely spend the most dollars in the beauty industry. The big brands are now trying to include people of color by marketing products to us, but it still lacks quality and efficiency for our skin type and tones. As a women of color myself, I specifically formulated all of our products with us in mind. It is a line from me, directly to my community, people with melanated skin tones. Read more>>

Nastasya Rose

One of the most beautiful facts about our services in VIVE is how we can help our clients and mentees scale from nothing to where they want to be. I do believe one of the biggest reasons why other experts cannot get this done like we can is because they don’t do the extra work to see a gem when it’s there. Yes, at the end if the day, it is up to the client to do the work. However, if you are not seeing them and being present before the enrollment even begins… then why are we even doing what we do? Read more>>

Vu Cao

There is an underserved community in the world of baking specifically to those who have specific allergies. In the growing realm of food allergies, food service has done a great job in providing alternative options for customers but baking is an area where this has been a slower movement. When you think of baking you think of flour, milk and eggs specifically. When we first started, we used all three of these ingredients across all of our products. We experienced spreading joy through baking but started to notice how many people we were unable to reach. Slowly, Vu started playing with recipes and figuring out what substitutions could be made to spread more joy. It started with replacing standard flour with gluten free flours and offering specialized products that didn’t contain gluten. From there began a transformation in substituting ingredients in a way that elevated ourregular products in a way that could reach more customers. Providing yeast raised donuts that don’t include any dairy or eggs has allowed us to provide experiences to customers that they have had to do without for years on end. Experiencing the feeling of having a delicious “normal” donut for the first time in a decade is something special that we get to share with our customers. It provides a more inclusive environment. We all get to be a part of a lasting memory and that kind of joy is a fuel for us. Its what keeps us moving. Read more>>

Jennifer Barnes

What began as a plan to help feed 10 Sandy Springs families for 2 weeks at the beginning of the Covid 19 Pandemic in March 2020 has evolved into a community movement to serve our food insecure neighbors and improve their way of living. Virtual school at the beginning of the pandemic meant that the school chidren would not recieve breakfast and lunch at school, a service provided for Title 1 schools. The service industry shut down meaning the parents were quickly out of work. With no safety net, families would quickly become hungry. Solidarity Sandy Springs was founded to make sure no one in our own backyard would go hungry. Read more>>

Aline Fenelon

My name is Aline Fenelon, CEO of Aline Inspirations LLC. I have served and volunteered in the Central Florida community for over 12 years. BASE Camp Children’s Foundation provides a year-round base of support for children and families who are facing the day-to-day challenge of living with cancer and other life threatening hematological illnesses. Read more>>

 Juliana Lopez

In late 2020 I received an Instagram DM from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The next thing I knew I was applying for a grant that would provide thousands of dollars to OKC Latina so we could put on fishing clinics of all things. Suddenly I was Aquatic Education certified and along with my incredible partners at the ODWC we were putting on Spring and Fall sessions of Camp OKC Latina. We were the first organization in Oklahoma to receive funding from the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s Vamos a Pescar program. Read more>>

Kimberly Brown

Belong Kitchen HTX is a nonprofit grab & go kitchen that employs adults with intellectual and developmental differences (IDD). In Texas, 94 percent of adults with IDD are unemployed. Nationally, the average is 80 percent. Read more>>

Mone’t Horton

For 15+ years I served in Human Resources, with a focus in workforce development where I gained extensive experience in coaching, advising, mentoring, onboarding and supervising. For much of my career, my work has included supporting special populations who were unemployed or unemployed including, but not limited to youth, adults and front-line incumbent employees connect to gainful and meaningful employment through creative education & career pathways, work-based learning, internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training opportunities. Read more>>

Irma Marquez Trapero

I am a proud immigrant from Culiacán, México. At the age of nine, my family emigrated to St. James, a small rural farm town in Southern Minnesota. After we arrived, my family became undocumented, which is why I am also a proud DREAMer and former Deferred Action (DACA) recipient. Although my story is not unique, it is what drives me to be doing the work that I’m leading now. I’ve seen the lack of investment and visibility that our Latine community faces are given and that’s why I’m committed to the advancement of Latines in the state of Minnesota. I believe in the opportunity that Minnesota has to ensure this continues to be a great home for everyone, including our the Latine community. At LatinoLEAD, we envision a world where our community is civically engaged, connected, supported, and seen as the vital voice of influence we are. Our work in advocacy, leadership, and pathways to workforce opportunities ensures the most marginalized in our community have the resources they need to thrive. We build bridges across different communities, collectively solve problems, and cultivate equitable and economically vibrant communities. Read more>>

Chuk Orakwue

Investing is crucial for financial well-being and retirement planning. For those that do not have time or the skill, one has to rely on investment firms to create a portfolio that is tailored to them and actively manage it. Sadly, Wall Street firms require high investment minimums which shuts the door for more minorities. Read more>>

Shardae Bennett

I am a mother of many statistics: Single mother of 4, stroke survivor, and I have with child with a disability. Having labels has been something that I have become accustomed to too. And the very labels I have I have grown to nurture and give it life in a positive way. My son was diagnosed with ADHD at 4 years old. This disability ignited a fire within me where I wanted to know more about the disability to get my son the best support. And with that fire I became certified in ADHD & Autism Awareness to ensure I had and could communicate the true importance to my son’s struggles. Read more>>