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.
Sebastian Dziuk
After the U.S. presidential election results in November 2024, we knew that our work was going to be changing. As an out queer and transgender business owner, my overall mission is to help LGBTQ+ people thrive not just survive. Part of that is serving my LGBTQ+ clients, part of it is being visible about who I am to provide representation for others, and part is through certifications such as the LGBT Business Enterprise certification through the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Read more>>
Jonathan Ford
While we do not serve an underserved community, our company has been located in an underserved community from which we try to hire employees and interns to give them hands on experience and develop IT skills. Read more>>
Shawn Hakakian
Founder Shawn Hakakian, the son of an immigrant, learned first hand how immigrants without sufficient support or financial backing were taken advantage of in the legal system. As a personal injury attorney, Shawn represents multiple clients who have been hurt through the neglect of others, and allows them to navigate the legal system at no up front cost. We advocate for individuals who have sustained life-changing injuries, missed time from work, and are in incredibly stressful situations. Read more>>
Cameron DeTello
Young Invincibles serves many underserved communities: young adults, especially those who are BIPOC, low-income, undocumented, parenting, or first-generation college students, who are navigating complex systems like higher education, workforce development, and health care. Read more>>
Shemira Thomas
Immense Public Relations was founded on the belief that visibility should not be a luxury. We serve an often overlook minority creatives, founders, and changemakers who are particularly Black and Caribbean individuals. These people are exceptionally talented but often priced out of traditional, high-end PR services. A few years ago, a talent hispanic minority from the Bronx, NY approached me about services. He had a revolutionary sound, a compelling story, and an engaged grassroots following, but no access to major press, brand partnerships, or the budget for the industry-standard retainers that typically start at several thousand dollars a month. Read more>>