Sow with us and grow with us!

Your Support Will Help Us Create Pipelines Of Access And Build Bridges For People Living In Underserved Communities In The United States And Around The World. We are proud to celebrate our growth and development and would like to show our progress with you.

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Program Development and Implementation

  • Developed and launched 15 diversity and inclusion programs reaching over 10,000 participants in the first year.

  • Implemented a successful mentorship program, Diverse Connects, that connected diverse individuals with established professionals in their field of interest.

  • Established the DUF STEAM Academy, which offers three to four hours of weekly online STEAM activities, including coding courses, virtual field trips to museums and engineering companies, musical performances from the Symphony Orchestra and exposure to people and jobs that students may not have even known existed.

  • Established and provided support services to the Couth Kids program, a vibrant and engaging kids program that promotes health and wellness for children. Couth Kids focuses on nurturing both the minds and bodies of kids, instilling essential life skills and healthy habits from an early age. The name "Couth" signifies refinement, good manners, culture, and sophistication, reflecting Couth’s commitment to providing a holistic and well-rounded approach to children's well-being.

Partnerships

  • Established partnerships with several corporations and organizations, to include the following:

    • The United Way

    • United States Department of Defense

    • Tennessee Department of Health

    • Rutherford County Health Department

    • Handshake

    • Couth (Education, Sports, Kids)

    • TikTok

    • Flint Community Schools

    • The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development

  • Partnered with the Punta Cana Foundation in the Dominican Republic to provide students at the Ann Ted Kheel Polytechnic High School, located in the community of Veron, schools supplies, and access to resources and opportunities; as it is the only technical high school in Punta Cana.

    • Students receive a basic high school education, as well as technical training in areas like computer science, hospitality, electricity, plumbing, cooking, refrigeration, and the English language.

  • Partnered and became a United States Department of Housing Urban Development approved non-profit, to provide housing opportunities to low-to moderate-income families.

    • DUF has access to the following programs through HUD:

      • Homes program, where HUD real-estate owned (REO) properties can be purchased by HUD-Approved Nonprofit Organizations and Governmental Entities at a discount and during the exclusive listing period.

      • FHA Mortgagor program, which allows HUD-Approved Nonprofit Organizations and Governmental Entities to apply for the same FHA-insured financing as owner occupants.

      • Secondary Financing program, which allows HUD-Approved Nonprofit Organizations and Governmental Entities to provide secondary financing assistance to homebuyers utilizing FHA insurance on a first mortgage when that assistance is secured with a second mortgage or lien.

  • Partnered with 250+ colleges and universities to provide scholarships, professional development training and support, implement and promote DEIB, and create pipelines of access and opportunity for diverse student populations in education and professional development; to include the following universities:

    • Emory University

    • University of Georgia

    • George Washington University

    • Georgia State University

    • Kansas State University

    • Tennessee State University

    • Wake Forest University

    • Kennesaw State University

    • Michigan State University

    • North Carolina Central University

    • Oregon State University

    • Purdue University

    • Stanford University

    • Ohio State University

    • The University of Michigan

    • The University of Chicago

    • The University of Mississippi

    • The University of Buffalo

    • The University of Tennessee

    • Tuskegee University

    • Texas A&M University

    • University of Miami

    • University of North Carolina

    • Wake Forest University

    • University of Pennsylvania

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Wake Forest University logo with gold letters "WF" outlined in black.
University of Miami logo with orange and green "U" shape.
Smiling man with beard wearing blue apron, standing in a kitchen setting with plants and condiments.

Community Engagement

  • Organized 100+ diversity and unity-themed events, reaching more than 50,000 people.

  • Facilitated a monthly dialogue series focused on diversity and inclusion, with an average attendance of 500 participants per session.

Scholarships and Grants

  • Provide $1M in scholarships and grants over the next five years to underrepresented students, minority-owned businesses, and diversity driven organizations.

  • Secured an annual funding of $1M for the next five years to support diversity-focused initiatives.

Policy Advocacy

  • Influenced the adoption of more inclusive policies in 30+ partner organizations.

  • Advocated for the passage of 5 local and state laws promoting diversity and inclusion.

  • Workplace Diversity and Inclusion: We advocate for policies that encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace, such as promoting equal employment opportunities, eliminating hiring and promotion biases, implementing diversity training programs, and supporting diverse leadership representation.

  • Education Equity: We advocate for policies that address educational disparities and promote equity in access to quality education. This may involve advocating for increased funding for underserved schools, reducing the opportunity gap, promoting diverse curriculum and inclusive teaching practices, and supporting initiatives that improve educational outcomes for marginalized communities.

  • LGBTQ+ Rights: We advocate for policies that protect and advance the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals. This involves advocating for comprehensive anti-discrimination laws, supporting transgender rights and inclusive policies, promoting LGBTQ+ youth support programs, and working towards equal rights and protections in all areas of life.

  • Environmental Justice: We advocate for policies that address environmental inequalities and ensure marginalized communities have equal access to a clean and healthy environment. This could involve advocating for stricter environmental regulations, promoting sustainable practices, supporting clean energy initiatives, and advocating for equitable distribution of environmental resources and burdens.

  • Criminal Justice Reform: We advocate for policies that address systemic biases within the criminal justice system and promote fair treatment for all individuals. This includes advocating for sentencing reform, reducing racial and ethnic disparities in arrests and incarceration rates, promoting alternatives to incarceration, and supporting reentry programs to facilitate successful reintegration into society.

  • Voting Rights and Political Representation: We advocate for policies that protect and expand access to voting rights, combat voter suppression, and ensure fair representation. This may involve supporting measures that facilitate voter registration, promote early voting and absentee ballot access, and advocate for redistricting reforms that prevent gerrymandering and promote fair representation.

  • Healthcare Equity: We advocate for policies that promote equitable access to healthcare, address healthcare disparities, and eliminate barriers to healthcare services. This involves supporting policies that expand healthcare coverage, increase funding for underserved communities, promote culturally competent care, and address social determinants of health that contribute to disparities.

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Research and Publications

  • Supported 10 published research papers highlighting the benefits of diversity and inclusion in various sectors.

  • Launched an annual diversity report, providing a comprehensive overview of diversity statistics and trends in the community.

Training and education

  • Provided diversity and inclusion training to over 5,000 individuals in partner organizations, to include clubs within the NFL.

  • Developed and distributed 1,000+ educational resources on diversity and inclusion.

  • Financially support staff members to complete the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate Program through the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business.

Recognition and awards

  • Received the "Excellence in Diversity" award from a reputable institution.

  • Recognized as a leading non-profit for diversity and inclusion by various media outlets to include:

    • Diverse Education

    • The Tennessean

    • M Live