This year, twelve Echoing Green Fellows from the classes of 2014, 2015, and 2016 were recognized for their abilities to draw on business acumen, collaborate, and build cross-sector relationships to change systems and transform lives. Forbes asked several 30 Under 30 members about their first “big break,” with so many highlighting the importance of community as they stay the course. As Sam Pressler notes, “…not only did Echoing Green provide ASAP with its first $80,000 in seed funding, the Echoing Green community of staff, fellows, and supporters guided our team.”
Explore the full list of awardees over at Forbes. Congrats, all!
Jacob Allen ’16 is taking “knowledge is power” to the next level with pilotED Schools. Using an identity-based curriculum, students of color in Chicago develop and strengthen their healthy personal identities to be their own agents of change at school and beyond those walls.
Tsechu Dolma’15, founder of the Mountain Resiliency Project, knows the time is now to bolster the mountain communities of the Himalayas against food insecurity and poverty stemming from climate change.
Through Kidogo’s “hub & spoke” approach, launched by Afzal and Sabrina-Natasha Habib ’15, women launch high-quality and affordable early childhood centers in their communities in East Africa’s informal settlements.
Architect and entrepreneur Quardean Lewis-Allen ’16 launched Made in Brownsville, a creative agency that uses apprenticeship, mentorship, and collaboration to connect youth in East Brooklyn to STEAM professions.
Sara Minkara ’15 launched Empowerment through Integration to transform the narrative around disability for blind and sighted youth by creating inclusive, integrated spaces that catalyze the futures of visually impaired youth.
Emily Cunningham and Kwami Williams ’14 grow the entrepreneurial potential of farming families of Ghana by creating beauty and food products from the Moringa tree.
WeThrive, founded by Daquan Oliver ’15, connects middle schoolers (the entrepreneurs) and college students (the mentors) to launch businesses and learn vital skills through a yearlong afterschool program.
Sam Pressler ’15 founded the Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP) to create supportive communities for U.S. service members and their families using the arts, creativity, and performance.
Mario Jovan Shaw and Jason Terrell ’15 are building, supporting, and retaining a community of male educators of color who mentor and nurture young men of color in their schools.
