A community leader and youth education advocate, Beckham believes that education can not only change a community but the whole country. As CEO of Chicago Scholars, he uses his experiences and skills in programming, art and business development to provide the youth of Chicago with the opportunities they deserve to shift the paradigm of their families and communities.

As a social entrepreneur, Blackwells’ passion for helping others led him to cofound the nonprofit Southside Blooms, which converts vacant lots into renewable energy and rainwater irrigation flower farms that create jobs for at-risk young people. Through sustainability and flower farms, he hopes his organization can alleviate poverty.

Cook opened her space as way to provide healing services to those who do not have the resources, understanding or support to do so themselves. Her healing salon provides the community with access to yoga, acupuncture, reiki, bodywork and herbal treatments, and has created jobs for local healers.

Based on his own experiences with therapy, Lemark wants to bridge the gap between mental health practitioners and those in need of help. The name of his non-profit organization is derived from the three things that changed his life, and every cup of coffee sold in the space funds free therapy sessions for individuals in need.