The Do Good Institute recently announced the selection of the 2024 Do Good Challenge finalists. The teams were selected from groups and organizations across campus that are tackling issues ranging from providing health education to reducing health disparities around the world to educating low-income youth on how to become entrepreneurs. On April 30, the finalists will share more about their work and impact with an audience of hundreds and a panel of expert judges at the Clarice to compete for a share of more than $20,000.
Three of the six finalists are College Park Scholars. Congratulations to Sara Blau (International Studies), Elias Laskey (Global Public Health), and Takiyah Roberts (Science, Technology and Society)!
Sara Blau started Game Changers, which aims to empower disadvantaged youth around the world by providing them the opportunity to become athletes. Game Changers facilitates connections between sports equipment donors and children’s sports programs globally through an online database. Since its founding in 2016, Game Changers has donated 100,000+ pieces of sports equipment worth more than $2.5 million to 130 partner organizations in nine countries. These collective efforts have enabled the organization to impact the lives of more than 440,000 children worldwide.
Elias Laskey teamed up with Meghna Pandey to support Public Health Beyond Borders (PHBB). PHBB empowers families and communities, both locally and globally, to achieve their best health through health education workshops and advocacy. The organization works to reduce health disparities around the world and increase awareness about good health practices, while providing undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities for responsible global development work. Since its inception 10+ years ago, PHBB has actively collaborated with partner communities in India, Peru, Sierra Leone, and Kenya and has completed 10+ interventions globally, involving more than 1,000 undergraduates and positively impacting 2,500+ children.
Takiyah Roberts partnered with Abby Oseguera to launch Dare to Dream (DTD). DTD is a nonprofit organization that empowers marginalized communities to chase their dreams unapologetically through entrepreneurship. Their team of 25 interdisciplinary students created an eight-week entrepreneurial development curriculum; secured a contract with the Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission, where youth with families who receive housing support engaged in a three-week program to kick-off their knowledge of entrepreneurship and dream chasing; and is conducting a full academic year contract with the University of Maryland’s Dingman Center of Entrepreneurship and Junior Achievement to teach their first-ever cohorts of high school students in Prince George’s County how to launch their own LLCs, obtain capital and investors, and liquidate their businesses.
The Do Good Challenge Finals will be held at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on April 30. Starting at 6 p.m., visit the Do Good Showcase where you can meet and connect with our Do Good students, alumni, and friends and have the opportunity to hear from students who are taking action and vote for your favorite showcase team. Then, at 7 p.m. in Kay Theater, watch and cheer on as finalist teams pitch their project or venture and the impact they've created for a chance to win a share of more than $20,000. RSVP to attend by April 20.