— In the modern age, we need our devices to interact with the rest of the world, to get news, to make purchases, to have jobs. Being enmeshed in civilized society generally means being on the grid, and in turn means feeling a deeply rooted sense of vulnerability to data breaches and compromised privacy that…
Miguel Rocha Aims to Help Small Businesses Make a Big Impact in Their Communities and Beyond
— We have all been encouraged to shop small, but do you know how meaningful it truly is? Small businesses are integral to the American economy, accounting for 66% of employment growth over the past 25 years. In fact, new business applications skyrocketed to historic numbers soon after the start of the pandemic in 2020 – and…
Evelyn Orumwense’s Blueprint for Energy Innovation in America
— Energy affordability and infrastructure challenges play a big role in America. With families juggling rising utility costs and businesses relying on aging energy systems, the need for innovative solutions has never been more urgent. Evelyn Orumwense, a veteran energy strategist with a proven track record of leading large-scale initiatives, believes these challenges can be…
Abigail Addy Champions Mental Health Across Generations
— Mental health can unarguably be regarded as the defining crisis of the modern era. In the US, mental health has become a growing public health concern, with mental illnesses affecting approximately 20% of American adults. The gravity of the situation can be gauged from the fact that the population of US adults aged 60…
Reimagining Math Education: Dr. Qiushan Liu’s Journey to Inspire Change
— If you’ve ever struggled with math, you’re not alone. Nearly 60% of students in the U.S. face challenges with math proficiency, highlighting a significant gap in our educational system. Dr. Qiushan Liu, an Assistant Professor of Psychology with a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Florida State University, is on a mission to change that. His research…
Healing the System: Dr. Jillian Thompson’s Mission to Protect America’s Seniors
— The long-term care system in the United States is facing a significant crisis. With over 1.5 million seniors living in nursing homes, nearly 40% are at risk of receiving inappropriate medications. This alarming reality leads to adverse drug events (ADEs) and a diminished quality of life for many elderly individuals. Dr. Jillian Thompson, a clinical…
Renné Fuganti Promotes Inclusivity in the Courtroom and Beyond
— As one of the most culturally diverse cultures, the U.S. consists of a unique fabric of people. In fact, 1 in 5 Americans speak a different language and over 40% of the population identify themselves as part of a racial or ethnic minority group. With this in mind, Renné Fuganti has developed a passion…
Femi Giwa: Improving American Healthcare Through Finance and Innovation
— In a rapidly evolving world where healthcare accessibility remains one of the biggest challenges, Femi Giwa is working to bridge the gap. His journey from medical school to becoming an investment banker specializing in healthcare is a story of passion, vision, and dedication to creating a healthier future for all Americans—especially those in lower-income…
Closing the Gap: How Alfred Indome Helps Black-Owned Businesses Thrive
— According to Employers For Equity, twenty percent of all new businesses in the US fail in their first year as compared to Black-owned businesses that experience a massive 80% failure rate in their first 12-18 months. The primary reason for the disparity that minorities face is the lack of resources. Their request for loans…
Farai Mhaka Aims to Impact the Lives of Millions Struggling with Mental Health and Substance Abuse
— According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than one in four adults living with serious mental health problems face substance use issues. The connection between substance abuse and mental health issues makes sense considering 37% of alcohol drinkers and 53% of drug abusers have one thing in common: a serious mental…
Dr. Sophia Bampoh is Breaking Barriers for Women in Healthcare
— Doctor Sophia Bampoh is working to boost awareness surrounding the importance of female representation in the vascular medicine field. The leading cause of death for women in the U.S. is cardiovascular disease, but only around 14% of all currently board-certified vascular surgeons are women. Studies have revealed that patients frequently have improved health outcomes when…
Sabrina Thind is Helping Women and Minority Entrepreneurs Beat the Odds
— Sabrina Thind, a Canadian-born financial consultant is working to make starting a business a more equitable process for women and other minorities. Recent research shows that female entrepreneurs face a higher rate of business loan denials as well as increased interest rates in loan decisions. Sabrina has often seen that traditional lending banks consider…
Flamework Artist Lucía Rodríguez Mota is Shattering the Glass Ceiling
— Lucía Rodríguez Mota, a Mexican-born artist passionate about mental health and multigenerational storytelling, has spent much of her career inspiring young women to pursue flameworking, just like she did. The journey has not always been easy for Lucía, as the unfortunate but often inherent obstacles of being a Latina woman have at times threatened…
Funmilayo Ogunsanya Opening Doors for More Women in STEM Fields in the U.S.
— Today, oil and natural gas are finite, unsustainable resources that will soon be unsuitable to accommodate society’s steadily increasing energy needs. These energy sources can harm the environment, but there are alternative, more sustainable energy sources that can fulfill our needs and protect the environment. Chemical engineer, project manager, and sustainable energy expert Funmilayo…
Medical Doctor and Clinical Researcher, Dr. Sewuese Akuse, On Improving Healthcare Access For Women and Mariginalized Communities
— Today, healthcare is not a human right but a privilege. As gender bias persists in healthcare across the globe, girls and women are often left to advocate for themselves. For Dr. Sewuese Akuse, improving this crisis involves providing high-quality treatments and health education to women who would otherwise not have access. On a mission…
Composer and Educator, Dr. Sun Yue, On Inspiring Diversity in Music and Influencing the American Arts
— When words fail, music gives us the voice to be heard by many. This is true for women in and out of the music industry who have and continue to use music as an outlet of expression in everyday life. For Dr. Sun Yue, this means discovering ways to impact audiences on a larger…