As I sat in my Asheville home, reflecting on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the news echoed a heartbreaking refrain: everything was gone.

In 2008, Glen Warren founded the Raleigh based nonprofit, Fathers Forever: Healing Fathers, Saving Families. Glen has been championing the empowerment of men for over 25 years and has seen the difference it makes when fathers take an active role in their children’s lives.

It’s not difficult to feel the love and compassion Dr. Emilian Emeagwali exudes, and especially when she is doing what she loves, helping others. 

E Train is on a mission to provide access to books for children, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. His passion for reading led him to read to children at title one schools and donate books to those in need. E Train’s story exemplifies the transformative power of passion and action, inspiring a new generation of readers and leaders.

Let’s Choose Love Wins Prestigious Bronze Level Anthem Award for Community Outreach in Education, Art, & Culture! Anthem Award winners were selected from 2,000 entrants from 44 countries by social impact leaders from Nike, The Clinton Foundation, Netflix and more.

TechnicBox is a group of dynamic high school students working tirelessly to transform the landscape of STEM education. This team of young men from Plano, Texas is on a mission to bring STEM to students across the world. Roshan, Aslam, Santosh, Abbad, Rayyan and Ezyan, are the driving force behind TechnicBox, an innovative project that seeks to make hands-on STEM learning accessible to children worldwide through educational, useful STEM boxes. 

In the heart of the Englewood Community in Chicago, where challenges often outnumber opportunities, Dr. Shenika Jackson stands as a beacon of hope, reshaping the lives of young individuals through education and empowerment. Dr. Jackson, a life-long advocate for education, is one of the driving forces behind the non-profit organization, “My Foundation: Street Smarts to Great Starts Corp.”

Kris Johnson has been teaching health and physical fitness for over 23 years. With a strong passion for getting people moving, she is always looking for creative new ways to encourage movement and fitness. When she learned about Cardio Drumming, she knew it would be a new and exciting addition to her PE curriculum. Kris found out about cardio drumming through her second job, teaching fitness programming at the local YMCA in Lexington, Nebraska. 

n My Skin is an Emotional Intelligence Program designed to teach and promote emotional regulation and communication skills by creating positive relationships among kids aged 5 - 10. In My Skin is based in Baltimore, Maryland, and run by the young and ambitious Brianna Woolford. Brianna has a background in early childhood education, and after teaching for four years, has set out to run In My Skin full time. In My Skin started by offering programming at a local church, welcoming any youth who wanted to join.

In the heart of Oklahoma, where vibrant cultures converge, a young and talented student named Leah Armstrong is quietly making waves in her community. At just 15 years old, Leah possesses a passion for music that transcends age and background, and she is on a mission to bring the magic of opera to a broader audience. 

“Thanks so much for helping me get here!!!! I truly believe it was receiving the grant from Let's Choose Love that was not only a financial catalyst but really empowered me to take this project and my mindset to the next level, and beyond! I am so blown away by how much I have been able to accomplish through reaching out to our community to educate them about local history and about this project, and inspire them to be part of something that honors that.” - Aimee 

Amanda Taylor and the Bethany Community Ministries provide a free summer long youth program for youth in the predominately BIPOC community of Homewood Pittsburgh. Amanda is using her LCL grant to provide new & exciting opportunities to campers.

“We are called to build a movement to mend the social fabric of our nation. It will take all of us working together to de-stigmatize loneliness and change our cultural and policy response to it. It will require re-imagining the structures, policies, and programs that shape a community to best support the development of healthy relationships. Each of us can start now, in our own lives, by strengthening our connections and relationships.” The US Surgeon General  

At just 15, Zaria Byrd is committed to improving her community by providing education and resources to young women experiencing period poverty. You would never know how young Zaria is when you meet her. Passionate, driven, and confident, this young woman knows how to get things done.

Bringing Hope and Resources to Chicago's Englewood Community: Tanya Watkins and the Christmas in July Health and Resource Fair

As a devoted mother of two, a passionate advocate, and a community leader, Tanya has dedicated her life to making a difference in the lives of others. Tanya's journey of community service began in 2007 when she started volunteering with various organizations. However, it was her experience at a group home for young teens and their children that deeply touched her heart. Having been adopted herself, she felt a strong connection with these teens, realizing that she could have easily found herself in a similar situation.

Sharron Tendai, a passionate individual with a heart for community service, has been making a significant impact in Washington D.C. for the past 15 years. Originally from Philadelphia, Sharron found herself in the nation's capital after completing a year of service with AmeriCorps VISTA, where she focused on poverty and community issues. Driven by her desire to give back, Sharron embarked on a journey that led her to establish a project centered around financial empowerment, particularly for women and youth of color.

Every quarter, Let’s Choose Love selects around ten new Give-Back projects to support; projects that are committed to bringing more LOVE into the world. With over 50 applicants this spring, choosing our Summer 2023 Grant Cohort was no easy task. The LCL team is thrilled to announce our Summer 2023 Let’s Choose Love mini-grant cohort. Our grantees range in age from 15 - 60, in race and ethnicity, in socio-economic status, and live in nine different states. Each of these projects will impact anywhere from 20 - 400 people in each of these communities, depending on the project.