On Course: The Podcast from Echoing Green

Heejae Lim is the founder and CEO of Talking Points, an educational technology nonprofit unlocking the potential of families to fuel their children’s education through a multilingual tech platform. Daquan Oliver is the founder and CEO of WeThrive, an organization creating a culture where all young people feel trusted to contribute ideas, form student-run companies, and achieve economic prosperity.

Tune in to hear Heejae and Daquan reflect on the state of education in the U.S. after the pandemic, the importance of cultivating reliable earned revenue streams, and their dreams for moving towards a more personalized education system.

Gemma Bulos is an award-winning social entrepreneur, educator, movement builder, co-founder of A Single Drop For Safe Water, and executive director of Global Women’s Water Initiative, two organizations that build the capacity of local communities to plan and implement sustainable water solutions.

Gayatri Datar is the co-founder of EarthEnable, a social enterprise in Rwanda that installs healthy and affordable floors for low-income families, and co-operator of The Creativity Fund.

Listen to learn how Gemma and Gayatri are disrupting the status quo in philanthropic funding and contributing to a system where communities closest to the problems – and the solutions – are in charge of creating impact.

Tony Weaver, Jr. is an award-winning writer, educator, social entrepreneur, and the founder of Weird Enough Productions, an organization that partners with educators across the U.S. to harness the power of media and storytelling to improve social-emotional learning, media literacy, and digital citizenship. William Jackson is the founder and chief dreamer of Village of Wisdom, a nonprofit organization that organizes and mobilizes families, teachers, and students to eliminate racial injustice in schools.

Tune in to hear Tony and William’s dreams for the next-generation of Black leaders and how they’re transforming systems and utilizing storytelling to make those dreams a reality.

Maya Ajmera is the President and CEO of the Society for Science, which works to promote the understanding and appreciation of science, and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Felecia Hatcher is the CEO of Pharrell William’s Black Ambition Opportunity Fund, a set of prizes to fund bold ideas and companies led by Black and Latinx entrepreneurs.

Tune in to this episode to hear Maya and Felecia connect their vast experiences building inclusive opportunities for communities of color and share advice for leaders of color seeking to raise capital, build networks, and navigate between ventures.

Reyna Montoya is a DACAmented social entrepreneur, community organizer, educator, and the founder of Aliento, an organization transforming trauma into hope and action for undocumented and mixed immigration status families through healing initiatives and leadership development. Swapna Reddy is the co-founder and co-executive director of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, a membership-based organization comprised of over 150,000 asylum seekers working to build a more humane asylum system in the U.S.

Tune in to learn how Reyna and Swapna are transforming systems, policies, and practices to support thriving immigrant and asylum-seeking communities.

Lori Robinson is a journalist, social entrepreneur, and the founder and executive director of VidaAfrolatina, an international women’s fund that mobilizes and connects resources with Black and Afro-descendant women's groups addressing sexual violence in Latin America. Rachel Johnson-Farias is a lawyer and the founder of Esq. Apprentice, a nonprofit seeking to change legal education in California and eventually the nation by providing legal training to nontraditional law students of color. Tune in to hear how Lori and Rachel are creating a world where Black women and girls are free to flourish, how they prioritize wellness and self-care as founders, and the ways the philanthropic sector can better support intersectional movements for social change.

Please note that this episode contains discussion of sexual assault (15:35-19:00). Listener discretion is advised.

Allen Woods is a designer, photographer, social change leader, and the co-founder of MORTAR—Cincinnati, Ohio’s entrepreneurship hub. MORTAR is working to create diverse communities by enabling Black, Brown, and women entrepreneurs to access the resources needed to start and run successful businesses. Their entrepreneurship academy provides culturally competent curriculum and materials, one-on-one mentorship, brand development strategies, and a cohort model for entrepreneurs to support each other. Tune in to learn how Allen’s background in photography and design-led him on a path to bolstering aspiring entrepreneurs, and how MORTAR’s vision has impacted the Cincinnati community and beyond.

Darius Ballinger is the founder of Chasing23, a nonprofit organization focused on building respect, unity, and a sense of empowerment among young people in Chicago by introducing them to a community of support, accountability, and hope. Following the loss of his mentor and period of incarceration, Darius launched Chasing23 to be a vehicle for positive change. By providing a comprehensive blend of mentoring, tutoring, and workforce development programming, Chasing23 supports youth of color in developing personal and professional skills, building pride and confidence, and developing goals for long-term success. Tune in to learn how Darius’ love for Chicago and his mission to create positive opportunities for youth is helping him and emerging leaders in the city “chase their 23.”

Inspired by the textile, farming, and forestry skills of Appalachians, and recognizing that the world of social entrepreneurship was expanding, Saraday Evans launched Accelerating Appalachia, the world’s first nature-based business accelerator. Accelerating Appalachia connects innovative businesses, investors, and mentors with the people, places, and prosperity found in Appalachia. Tune in to hear how Saraday’s lifelong love for nature and a career in environmental protection led her to supporting businesses working in unity with the land in southern and central Appalachia—one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. Learn how Accelerating Appalachia is inspiring other nature-based and sustainable businesses around the globe.

Brittany Young is the founder and CEO of B-360. Based in Baltimore, Maryland, B-360 uses STEM education programming, community engagement, workforce development training, and dirt bike culture to end the cycle of poverty, disrupt the prison pipeline, and build bridges in communities. B-360 is equipping youth and adults with the skills to secure educational and career opportunities in STEM fields, motorsports, and beyond while changing the perception of dirt bike riders and engineers, and repairing and building relationships in the Baltimore community. Tune in to learn how Brittany’s holistic vision for community engagement and development in Baltimore is transforming institutions, narratives, and trajectories across the city.