National Nonprofit Day 2024
National Nonprofit Day is celebrated on August 17, 2024. This is a day where we recognize and celebrate Nonprofit organizations and all of the hard work they do. The impact of nonprofits on surrounding communities and around the world is admirable and essential to societal support. At Forge, several of our members work for nonprofit organizations and we are excited to honor, celebrate and highlight them this week.
Freedom Preparatory Academy
We are excited to highlight: Tracy Dowdell, the Regional Operations Manager at Freedom Preparatory Academy !!
Tell us a little bit about what you do/your company does: “We are a charter school organization opening our flagship school in Birmingham this fall to Kindergarten students. I work closely with our team’s Executive Director and School Leadership to ensure an easy operational transition for our school. I help us dot “i’s” and cross “t’s.””
What is your favorite part of your job?
“Helping students and families achieve their academic and personal goals through the school community. Working with bright, amazing children and families.”
What do you enjoy about nonprofit work?
“Having people as the final product and being able to contribute positively to communities and families.”
What made you want to go into this field?
“Deep interest in ensuring that ALL students have excellent educational options and outcomes, especially in my home city and state (I’m a Birmingham native!).”
How has being a member at Forge helped you in your work?
“It gave us a place to land that has been welcoming and perfect for what we needed to get going.”
Project EMS
We are excited to highlight: Drèson Russell, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Project EMS, Inc. !!
Tell us a little bit about what you do/your company does: “I am a co-founder and executive director of Project EMS, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering under-resourced students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. We provide mentorship, tutoring, scholarship opportunities, and hands-on learning experiences in STEAMM fields—science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, and medicine. Additionally, I founded Unified Healing for Rural and Global Health, which focuses on making healthcare accessible and affordable for underserved communities both in rural areas and globally. In terms of education, I recently earned my Master of Business Administration (MBA) and am currently pursuing both a Doctorate of Medicine (MD) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. After completing medical school, I plan to attend law school to obtain a Juris Doctor (JD) to further expand my ability to advocate for health equity, education, and policy reforms.”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“While I enjoy many aspects of my work, my favorite part is being actively involved in developing and implementing programs that align with our mission at Project EMS. There is something incredibly fulfilling about seeing our students thrive. Understanding their individual needs and watching them grow, excel, and embrace their potential is what makes this work truly meaningful to me.”
What do you enjoy about nonprofit work?
“Nonprofit work allows me to directly contribute to meaningful change in the lives of others. It’s about creating impact, seeing the tangible results of our efforts, and knowing that what we do is helping to break down barriers to sectors like education, health, and opportunity for under-resourced communities.”
What made you want to go into this field?
“I was driven by the desire to make a lasting impact on communities that face significant challenges. Growing up in an under-resourced area myself, I saw firsthand the gaps in education and healthcare. I wanted to contribute to closing those gaps by creating opportunities for others and advocating for equitable access to education and health resources.”
How has being a member at Forge helped you in your work?
“Forge has been instrumental in advancing the mission of Project EMS. The exceptional workspace, resources, and networking opportunities available through Forge have allowed us to grow in ways I hadn’t imagined. The supportive community has provided invaluable connections and insights that have helped us expand our reach and impact.”
FB: Project EMS
LinkedIn: Project EMS, Dreson Russell
New and improved website coming soon!
Great I Am Ministries
We are excited to highlight: Keith Williams, Founder/Executive Director of Great I Am Ministries !!
Tell us a little bit about what you do/your company does: “I founded the organization in 2003 with the purpose of engaging the community and address its needs. I oversee the daily operations of the organization.”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“My favorite part of the job is when I get to go out into the field, assess the needs of the people (community engagement), and fulfilling that need (community outreach).”
What do you enjoy about nonprofit work?
“The ability to make a difference in the lives of people is my main motivation for enjoying nonprofit work.”
What made you want to go into this field?
“As a former homeless individual and a working class person, I understand the challenges people are facing in trying to survive and live. I was helped in many forms over the years. I want to pay it forward and help someone else.”
How has being a member at Forge helped you in your work?
“I have a quiet place to work. It’s the place I do the work behind the scenes so that the field work will be successful.”
LinkedIn: Great I Am Ministries
We so enjoy having each of these nonprofit workers, as well as other nonprofits as members at Forge! We admire and celebrate all the hard work each of them does! Are you a nonprofit worker that needs a place to work and further your business? Join our supportive community at Forge! Sign up for a tour today and ask about our nonprofit discount for coworking!