Ashley Aydin: Creating an Equal Playing Field with VamosVentures

Jan 04, 2021 Posted by: Jill Jha Ashley Aydin,  SDG 5,  SDG10,  USA

Ashley: It’s wonderful to talk to you, Spiffy. So, this summer, I had the wonderful opportunity to join VamosVentures, a venture fund with a mission to invest in companies led by diverse founders. Latinx and Black founders received only 2% of the total funding that went to founders last year. More surprising is that founders of color are 30% more likely to experience a lack of capital and relevant networks. The stats are similar for female-founded companies. At Vamos, we want to improve these numbers and pave the way for diverse founders to have access to capital, networks, and other pertinent resources. Our driving force is our belief that there's extraordinary entrepreneurial talent in diverse communities.

Aditi Sivakumar: Empowering Women and Girls Facing Violence During the Pandemic

Jan 04, 2021 Posted by: Jill Jha Aditi Sivakumar,  Canada,  SDG 5,  SDG10

Aditi: I am working towards ending gender-based violence. I serve as a peer supporter where I provide emotional and social support to women and children who are facing violence. I plan community-based events to advocate for ending violence against women and children. I also founded “Everyday Essential Express (Triple E Delivery)”, a contactless delivery service for domestic violence shelters across the Ottawa, Canada region, during the pandemic. 

Akruti Babaria: Connecting Culture and Kids

Dec 21, 2020 Posted by: Jill Jha Akruti Babaria,  India,  SDG10,  USA

Akruti: In 2020, we are in a seemingly more divided world than ever. By bringing culture to the playroom in the form of books and puzzles, I am giving children the tools they need to understand their own culture, share it with others, and build empathy to bring us closer together. It’s not always easy, but when I hear parents tell me that their children request my stories about Indian culture before bed or as a treat, and that they share these stories with their friends and family, I am even more motivated to accomplish my mission.