Get to Know the 2021 #AerieREAL Changemakers!

Aerie

3 years ago

Meet the 2021 #AerieREAL Changemakers! Aerie granted $20,000 to each of the 20 ideas 23 advocates have for changing the world. They’re providing resources to their communities. They’re creating social consciousness by empowering youth. These Changemakers are building strong foundations and keep it REAL. It is our honor to celebrate these incredible individuals who are pushing humanity forward.

Alesha Thomas

@adaptiveparentproject

I started Adaptive Parent Project to provide resources and support for parents with disabilities worldwide.

Anya Bhopa

@anyabhopa
@thecanadiancourageproject
www.thecanadiancourageproject.org

I co-founded The Canadian Courage Project to support youth as they transition from a homeless shelter into independent living.

Aria Cataño

@ariacatano
@waterdropla
waterdropla.org

I co-founded Water Drop LA in response to a lack of access to clean water in unhoused communities across the city.

Ava Suppelsa

@ava.suppelsa
@hopeontherow
www.hopeontherow.org

I founded my own non-profit organization called Hope on the Row. Every week, a team of my volunteers and I serve upwards of 100 members of the local unhoused community by providing fresh meals, clothing, supplies and support.

Bethany Klapwyk

@tenderfarmer
@zocalocommunityfarm
zocaloorganics.ca

I founded “Tender Farmer” which offers coaching, courses, and wellness programs to help build community among farmers and support farmers in their wellness and personal development.

Branché Foston

@branchefoston
@thehoneyblock
TheHoneyBlock.com

As an Herbalist & Yoga Instructor and founder of @thehoneyblock, my passion is to bring wellness classes to my community in South Central, LA.

Candy Calderón

@candycalderon_

I founded Glow Wellness Tour, a health & wellness educational platform, community, and event series (virtual & in-person) focused on BIPOC Latinas and Women of Color from multicultural backgrounds to help them reclaim their wellbeing, after identifying the lack of access and diversity in wellness.

Deesha Panchal

@georgia.yl
@deesha.panchal05
georgiayouthleaders.org

I developed Georgia Youth Leaders to enable the next generation of socially conscious leaders to tackle problems in their communities.

Emily Weatherhead

@emilyweatherhead
www.musiciansfound.org

I created Musicians Found to make musical instruments and programs more accessible to communities. Our first project is sending instruments to older adults in long-term care and community settings.

Karen Zhao & Mylan Young

@unc_smile
@karenzsmiles
dentistry.unc.edu/smileclinic/

We started a mobile dental clinic in our community. SMILE provides free dental care to those with physical, social, or financial barriers to care, such as homeless patients, women and children seeking shelter from domestic violence, incarcerated patients, special needs patients, and more.

Kylee McGrane

@momentofmagicfoundation
@kyleelauren
www.amomentofmagic.org

I founded A Moment of Magic with a vision to harness the power of creativity, friendship, and laughter as a tool in healing. The result is pure magic!

Lauren Abercrombie

@Inclusionfusion
www.inclusionfusion.org

I created Inclusion Fusion, an organized dedicated to advocate for inclusion and acceptance. Inclusion Fusion provides a variety of inclusive programs for individuals with disabilities, like life skills, social skills, and dance classes, with the overall mission to help everyone achieve a successful and independent life.

Liz Plachta

@rubysrainbow
www.rubysrainbow.org

I am co-founder and executive director of Ruby’s Rainbow, a nonprofit organization providing scholarships to people with Down syndrome for post-secondary education while showing the world just how amazing and capable they are!

Rachel Rutter

@ruttra01
@projectlibertadorg
www.projectlibertad.org

My nonprofit organization Project Libertad defends kids against deportation to dangerous situations and fights for a world where all immigrant kids have access to the legal services, social services, academic support, and leadership opportunities they need and deserve.

Rebecca Damante

@prideandlessprejudice
@beccadamante
www.prideandlessprejudice.org/

My mother and I co-founded Pride and Less Prejudice, a non-profit organization that sends LGBTQ-inclusive books to PreK to third grade classrooms across the United States and Canada. We also offer free teacher resource guides, professional development workshops, and author read-alouds.

Sara Miller

@sodanational

I founded SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates in college, and have led our expansion to 38 chapters (and counting!). We have educated 10,000 students and registered more than 1,300 as organ donors. Learn more and get involved with saving lives at sodanational.org.

Shreya Mantha

www.foundationforgirls.org
@foundationforgirls
@shreyamantha

My sister, Sahana, and I co-founded Foundation For Girls to economically empower homeless single mothers and support their children with resources, relationships, and recommendations to enable multi-generational impact.

Three Little Ghouls: Ambika, Sahara, Taylor

@threelittleghouls
@gangesgal
@icedteaangel
@saharanotsarah
https://threelittleghouls.com/

We’re the authors of Three Little Ghouls! Our book series seeks to bring underrepresented forms of diversity to the forefront of the fantasy genre, children’s literature and elementary schools. We poured our personal passions and advocacy into this project and we hope to enchant the world for our young readers, while also spreading the message of self love and acceptance.