15 People Who are Making a Difference
This diverse and inspiring list showcases individuals from various backgrounds dedicated to creating positive change in their communities and beyond. From activists and social entrepreneurs to educators and advocates, these remarkable individuals have demonstrated unwavering commitment and outstanding achievements in their respective fields. Through their compassion, innovation, and tireless efforts, they transform lives, champion essential causes, and leave a lasting impact on the world. So get ready to be inspired as we highlight the remarkable stories of these 15 people making a difference, one step at a time.
Mari Copeny
A remarkable 14-year-old activist and philanthropist with ambitious aspirations of becoming the “future president,” In the face of the devastating Flint Water Crisis, Mari Copeny refused to succumb to helplessness. Instead, she chose to amplify her voice to support and advocate for her community’s children.
Her unwavering determination led her to extend her efforts beyond Flint, as she now strives to assist communities across the nation grappling with the grave issue of toxic water.
Dr. Kwane Stewart
Next on our list of people making a difference, he is a compassionate veterinarian who has dedicated the past nine years to an incredible mission: providing free veterinary care to pets residing on the streets of California.
Dr. Stewart has many essential treatments, including flea treatments and vaccinations. By devoting his free time to this noble cause, he exemplifies the profound impact one person can make within their community.
Shannon Watts
She is an Indiana mother who was forever changed when news of the heartbreaking shooting at Sandy Hook School unfolded before her eyes on television—this pivotal moment ignited a passionate determination within her, leading her to establish Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.
Shannon Watts, through her unwavering commitment, has galvanized a nationwide movement dedicated to advocating for gun violence prevention and fostering a safer society.
Angela Doyinsola Aina
She is a visionary leader who recognizes a distressing reality: women in the country succumb to pregnancy-related causes. This critical issue is especially dire for African American women. In response, Angela Doyinsola co-founded the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) as part of our list of people making a difference.
Drawing upon her public health background, she wants to intensify BMMA’s research endeavours and advocate for utilizing midwives and doulas. She firmly believes these healthcare professionals can serve as vital community resources.
Branden Harvey
He is a creative force and the founder of Good Good Good, who has harnessed the power of media to spread positivity and inspire change. As the host of the podcast “Sounds Good,” Branden Harvey uses his platform to amplify stories of individuals and organizations making a difference in the world.
Additionally, he has pioneered the Goodnewspaper, a printed publication brimming with uplifting news. Through these ventures, Branden Harvey has fostered an online community of over 500,000 individuals dedicated to creating a positive impact globally.
Charles Best
In the year 2000, Charles Best, a dedicated teacher at a public high school in the Bronx, became acutely aware of the financial burden faced by educators who often had to personally fund necessary materials like books and art supplies for their students.
With this thought in mind, Charles Best founded DonorsChoose. This innovative online platform allows teachers to post requests for classroom resources, providing a transparent channel for individuals and organizations to contribute and support directly.
Prashant Mehta
He is a remarkable social entrepreneur who combines his finance, international affairs, and philanthropy expertise to create positive change. Over seven years, he has collaborated with a passionate team to establish Conscious Step, a groundbreaking concept in charitable giving.
This social enterprise produces high-quality, fair-trade, and organic socks, each uniquely designed to provide direct support to leading nonprofit organizations across the globe. He is the perfect example for our list of people making a difference.
Ann Oliva
He is a distinguished leader in homelessness and housing policy and CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness. This esteemed organization is dedicated to public education, advocacy, and capacity building, with a singular goal of ending homelessness in the United States.
Ann has amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience throughout her career, establishing herself as one of the nation’s foremost homeless experts.
Betsy Lay
She is the co-founder of Lady Justice Brewing; she has established a community-focused brewery that goes beyond crafting exceptional beer. This unique venture is driven by a profound commitment to supporting and empowering women, girls, and nonbinary individuals in Colorado.
Lady Justice Brewing devotes time, space, and resources to partnering with nonprofits and community organizations that share their mission.
Brittany Schiavone
She is a remarkable young woman who defies stereotypes; Brittany has been a powerful advocate for individuals with Down syndrome. Recognizing the need to support families expecting or welcoming a baby with Down syndrome, Brittany, alongside her parents, founded Brittany’s Baskets of Hope, Inc.
This wonderful organization provides these families with information, support, guidance, and, most importantly, hope.
Dr. Roopa Dhatt
The Executive Director and Co-Founder of Women in Global Health (WGH), Dr. Roopa Dhatt, is an influential and vigorous champion of gender equality in global health.
With an unwavering determination, she spearheads a movement to rectify the pervasive gender imbalance within global health leadership. She recognizes the pressing need to address the barriers of power, privilege, and intersectionality that hinder the progress of women aspiring to leadership roles in the field.
John and Hank Green
A dynamic duo of American entrepreneurs, social activists, authors, and YouTube vloggers, John and Hank Green, have significantly contributed to online philanthropy. Together, they conceived and created Project for Awesome (P4A), an unusual community-driven charitable movement on YouTube.
P4A is an annual 48-hour YouTube live stream that allows viewers to come together and donate to the Foundation to Decrease World Suck.
Samuel Gregory
He is an esteemed human rights advocate, technologist, and visionary leader who has dedicated over 25 years to driving positive change at the nexus of video, technology, civic participation, and media practices.
As the Executive Director of WITNESS, Samuel Gregory spearheads the organization’s ambitious five-year strategic plan centred around the core mission of “Fortify the Truth.”
Jordyn Lexton
He is a passionate social impact leader who profoundly believes in all individuals’ talents and potential. Drawing on his extensive experience, Jordyn has played a pivotal role in building a nonprofit organization called Drive Change from the ground up.
Through this venture, he has created opportunities for marginalized individuals, empowering them to transform their lives through education, training, and employment in the culinary arts.
Daisy Hampton
She is the visionary founder of Including You, a remarkable initiative born out of her firsthand experiences witnessing inequities within the classroom and remote learning, particularly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
With a deep sense of motivation, Daisy Hampton embarked on a mission to address these disparities and create a vibrant community of learners.
