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.

Leah Mcneill

I’ve always been a creative! As a kid, I didn’t dream of the latest toys for Christmas—I wanted bead kits, a sewing machines, and anything that allowed me create. But growing up, the focus was on basic needs, and extras like creative outlets or extracurricular activities weren’t always possible. That’s why I’m so passionate about bringing immersive creative experiences to kids in schools and summer camps. It’s amazing to watch how creating something with their own hands empowers them and boosts their confidence. You can see their self-esteem grow as they realize their own potential. Read more>>

Iya Thomas

My journey has always been about creating spaces where everyone, especially those often overlooked, feels seen and valued. As an entrepreneur, I’ve dedicated my work to serving the plus-size community and individuals with intellectual disabilities, using my platforms to advocate for accessibility and inclusivity. One initiative I’m incredibly proud of is my “Fatty Friendly Guide,” which highlights safe spaces for people of size, empowering them to live fulfilling, fear-free lives. Read more>>

Oltree Hui

My practice serves an underserved community, specifically students in Los Angeles public education, particularly within schools that often struggle with significant resource limitations. During my time teaching design at public schools, I was often struck by the pervasive underfunding in public education; these students were eager to learn but were faced with inadequate facilities and limited access to technology. I came to understand that delivering effective lectures alone is not sufficient; the primary focus, or what I like to call the ‘design thinking of education,’ is to create a curriculum that works within existing constraints. Recognizing the urgent need for a relevant and engaging educational experience, I developed a program tailored to these limitations. Read more>>

Joyce Tischler

Admittedly, I’m different. I’m part of a small, quirky social movement that works to protect the lives and interests of nonhuman animals. Some people assume that I don’t like humans. That’s not true. I like humans just fine, but I see suffering where others look away and I want to help that nonhuman community, precisely because most other humans would never think to. I’ve spent 45 years trying to serve the needs of animals through the use of the legal system. Starting a few years after I became a lawyer, I co-founded and built a nonprofit organization called the Animal Legal Defense Fund and now, I am on the faculty of the Center for Animal Law Studies, where I teach a full semester course on Industrial Animal Agriculture Law. I teach law students about the meat, dairy and egg industries, which raise and kill 10 billion animals each year in the U.S., and 80 billion worldwide. Most of those animals are raised in massive concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), aka factory farms, and then sent to slaughterhouses. These animals’ lives are filled with suffering and their deaths are violent and terrifying. That is the underserved community that I serve. Read more>>

Izell Bennett

Yes, First Refuge Ministries is deeply committed to serving the underserved populations of Denton and North Texas. Our focus is on individuals and families facing challenges such as food insecurity, lack of access to affordable healthcare, and limited mental health support. Many of our clients are uninsured or underinsured, live below the poverty line, or are struggling to meet basic needs. One story that truly encapsulates our mission is about a single mother of three who came to our food pantry after losing her job during a tough economic period. She was overwhelmed by the prospect of providing for her family with no income and little support. Through our food assistance program, she received groceries to feed her children while she searched for work. When she mentioned health concerns, we connected her with our medical clinic, where she was able to get chronic health issues addressed by one of our volunteer health providers. Read more>>