TWO TIMES A CHARM. CAMELBACK WELCOMES HISTORIC SECOND FELLOWSHIP COHORT.
Two times a charm. Camelback Ventures is proud to welcome our second cohort of 2022 education and conscious tech innovators as part of its rigorous fellowship supporting entrepreneurs of color and women leading social impact ventures. This is the first time in the organization’s history to offer two fellowship opportunities in one calendar year. These 12 founders representing 12 ventures are tackling pressing issues across the United States including equitable access to quality education, mental & emotional health services, criminal justice reform, workforce development, and diversifying the print & digital media landscape. The 2022 cohort proudly joins our community of 100 fellows (and growing) - a group we lovingly call the #CamelbackFam!
2022 Camelback Fellows
Education
Fellows are listed alphabetically by Founder name, and share details as provided by leaders. Education Fellows may be nonprofits, for-profits, hybrids, or schools.
GABRIEL REYES founder of FLi Sci
Dallas, TX - Nonprofit - www.FLiSci.org
FLi Sci is an organization that supports first-gen/low-income high school students interested in pursuing research careers in science.
Gabriel on Why Camelback? “I am feeling so grateful for the opportunity to grow my entrepreneurial skills and excited to join the Camelback community. As a queer, first-gen/low-income Mexican starting a nonprofit, I know that the road ahead of me will be long and difficult — but it will be one I know I'll overcome thanks to the talented, supportive community provided by the fellowship.”
JERREN CHANG founder of Gen Unity
Boston, MA - Nonprofit - https://www.genunity.org/
GenUnity's leadership programs strengthen the capacity of diverse, everyday adults to critically evaluate, navigate, and drive change on critical community issues.
Jerren on Why Camelback? “I'm incredibly excited about the possibility of joining this special community of inspiring, diverse entrepreneurs! Community is the root of our social justice work, and it is an honor to be part of the Camelback Fellowship!”
JULIUS B. ANTHONY founder of St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature
St Louis, MO - Nonprofit - www.stlblackauthors.com
St. Louis Black Authors of Children's Literature ensures all children become confident and competent readers by the end of third grade by giving kids innovative access to culturally responsive literacy.
Julius on Why Camelback? “I am ecstatic about joining the Camelback Fellowship! This opportunity will guarantee me the best edu-preneurial coaching that will strengthen and empower me personally and professionally. Camelback has a proven history of successful graduates who are currently thriving. I am looking forward to saying I too am a Camelback Fellow and graduate who benefited exponentially from the experience with a business that ensures a literate Black community contributing to its long-term wealth development.”
KRYSTAL BARNETT founder of Bridge2Hope
St. Louis, MO - Nonprofit - www.stlbridge2hope.org
Bridge 2 Hope is building a movement of parents and grandparents that fights and demands that every child has access to a quality education. We believe that equipped, connected, and empowered parents and grandparents have to power to disrupt inequitable systems in education and build the bridge to better, quality equitable schools.
Krystal on Why Camelback? “As I reflect on what a journey entrepreneurship has been, I'm excited about the potential to join the Camelback Fellowship - how sometimes it feels lonely, sometimes stressful, and it's definitely the hardest most impactful work I have ever been a part of. I have a chance of building a new family, new relationships, new experiences in such a unique way. Iron sharpens Iron, and to me the Camelback Fellowship not only has the potential to truly impact me but I also get to pour in with others and together we won’t be the same as we came.”
LEAH HERNANDEZ founder of Young Authors Publishing
Atlanta, GA - For Profit - https://www.youngauthorspublishing.org/
Young Authors Publishing is a children’s and young adult book publisher that exists to share the stories of Black, Brown & Indigenous young people through print and digital media.
Leah on Why Camelback? “I'm so excited to know I made it this far in the process! This gives me the extra confidence that we're on the right track and are making serious impact through our work. I'm looking forward to connecting with the other entrepreneurs and learning from them as well as the mentors on how we can achieve scale.”
MCKAYLA WARWICK founder of Collective Climb
Philadelphia, PA - Nonprofit - collectiveclimb.org
Collective Climb is a Black-led 501c3 organization empowering BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) teenagers and young adults in West Philadelphia through restorative practices. Our programs and activities support young people in becoming justice-oriented organizers, restorative practitioners, and community leaders prepared to redress past harms and move their community closer to realizing Black joy, security, and freedom.
Mckayla on Why Camelback? “It goes without saying that I have believed deeply in the power of Collective Climb's work since the beginning, but it's always a joy to be reminded that others outside of our direct community can see it too. When I received the email notification that I was a candidate for the Camelback Fellowship, I felt youthful energy reactivate in the pit of my stomach. My hands trembled as I attempted to find the keys that would spell out this win to my cofounders. They were quick to remind me that this victory is also mine. What an honor to be embraced in this way. I am relishing in it!”
Conscious Tech
Fellows are listed alphabetically by Founder name, and share details as provided by leaders. Conscious Tech Fellows may be nonprofits, for-profits, or hybrids.
ALYSON STONER founder of Movement Genius
Los Angeles, CA - For Profit - http://www.movementgenius.com
Movement Genius is a radically inclusive digital wellness studio providing movement classes to support mental and emotional health. Our programs provide stress relief techniques, mindful movement classes, and non-exercise activity thermogenesis to help manage anxiety, stress, poor sleep, and low self-esteem.
Alyson on Why Camelback? “I'm currently feeling a mixture of anticipation, dedication, and gratitude for the potential opportunity to grow alongside people who care about real impact. Given the urgency and complexity of issues we're trying to solve, it feels especially important to find collaborators and mentors who are action-oriented as well as committed to integrity and justice-informed frameworks. From the website and early interactions, I imagine the relationships that form during the Fellowship are sincere, generative, and lasting. It would be an honor to join other folks and elevate everyone's missions and projects along the way.”
CAITRIN KENNEDY founder of unBail
Cleveland, OH - Nonprofit - https://www.unbail.org
unBail is a free mobile app that allows defendants to access information about their specific case and how it relates to the broader system they are navigating whenever they need it.
Caitrin on Why Camelback? “I'm feeling energized and optimistic about the future. This is the jolt our venture needs to get to the next level!”
CHRIS SANTILLAN founder of Unlocked Labs
St. Louis, MO - Nonprofit - unlockedlabs.org
Unlocked Labs is building a better justice system from the inside out. We are accomplishing this by employing currently incarcerated software developers to build technology that makes education more accessible in prisons.
Chris on Why Camelback? “I feel deeply honored to be selected as a Finalist for the Camelback Fellowship. As someone who was raised in an environment where one is constantly reminded of what one lacks--what one isn't or can't--to be recognized for the opposite, to be seen as someone with potential, with a mission that has worth, is beyond encouraging. It is affirming. And so I am excited for both the coaching to hone that potential as well as the connections with individuals and organizations that have that same drive and determination to reveal to the world that we are not a people of lack, but of promise, filled to overflowing. The world better watch out.”
MELISSA CESARANO founder of Affectifi Inc.
New York, NY - For Profit - https://www.thinkhuman.tv
Affectifi Inc. has created ThinkHuman.tv, a platform for building social-emotional competencies and soft skills by leveraging streaming media (Netflix, Disney+, Peacock). ThinkHuman.tv, which is backed by the National Science Foundation, is powered by emotion science to facilitate embedded and interactive educational experiences for users.
Melissa on Why Camelback? “I'm ecstatic and humbled to be a Camelback Fellowship finalist. I'm super excited to finally have a community of entrepreneurs to learn from, collaborate with, and inspire! As much as the entrepreneurship journey has been hopeful and fulfilling, it has also been deeply challenging, especially as a first-time entrepreneur and biracial woman in tech. I'm ready to be enlightened by the Camelback coaches, fellow fellows, and curricula. I also look forward to reconnecting with the Camelback VCs that I met at SXSW, who were incredibly supportive from the start. I can't wait to give back to the community by making my peers smile and laugh, and by teaching others about the nature of emotions (which is crucial for leadership of any kind). Let's get to work.”
OMOLARA FATIREGUN founder of THRIVE!
Sacramento County, CA - For Profit - https://www.equitywillthrive.com/
THRIVE! helps local governments and residents root out systemic racism in budgets and policies using antiracist technology. Our software and community engagement process work together to build what we call “Just Budgets”—budgets co-created by government officials and BIPOC communities to drive equitable outcomes.
Omolara on Why Camelback? “Building disruptive social enterprises can be taxing. I am excited to meet the other Fellows and have a space where I can recharge with like-minded warriors who are also pouring themselves into making their communities better.”
WESLEY MA founder of HealthOpX
Detroit, MI - For Profit - www.healthopx.com
HealthOpX partners community-based organizations with healthcare and government organizations to engage and improve the health of underserved communities.
Wesley on Why Camelback? “I am excited to be around inspiring diverse individuals looking to scale their impact. The chance to work with and alongside specialists who care about impact but are also able to steer us further towards sustainability.”
“This application and selection process was particularly rewarding because of the degree of relationship and authenticity our team has built with candidates. It's our belief that has returned an extremely qualified class of Fellows that will continue Camelback's legacy of supporting the most innovative entrepreneurs of color, women, and non-binary founders,” said Caroline Lutkewitte, Camelback Ventures Search & Align Manager.
Since our inception, Camelback Ventures has provided more than $4-million of seed funding to emerging entrepreneurs across the country. The 2022 Camelback Fellowship is supported by the generous support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, Kenan Charitable Trust, Margulf Foundation, and Walton Family Foundation.
You can learn more about the Camelback Ventures’ Fellowship and meet past fellows. Camelback Ventures’ next fellowship application window will open in the Fall of 2022. Interested in joining our next fellowship cohort? Fill out our interest form today!