Letter from our Founder

Dear Friends, Partners, & Colleagues:

A New Year is upon us all, and we here at NewWave Foundation are extremely grateful for it. Despite the start of 2023 being fraught with rising inflation rates, a continued global public health crisis, the ongoing war in Ukraine, supply chain disruptions evident at local grocery stores, and the mental and emotional toll of it all that is felt from the oldest to the youngest among us – we’re still standing tall.

We remain encouraged in the power of something that not even today’s most profound institutional or personal obstacles can take away: access to education. Striving for it, attaining it, instilling it, and sharing it with the next generation has and always will be the rhythm that makes our community so unique. It’s what makes our mission – to equalize the educational playing field for students who deserve a shot at their own success – worth fulfilling in fresh, new ways.

In 2022, we remained steadfast in our commitment to equitable education. Through our highly anticipated annual initiative, Money Talks, Nicolas Carey, Co-founder & President of Blockchain.com, shared timely insights on the future of money to a diverse audience of young and experienced adults. Mind Matters, an IG live series brought in both high school and college students, educators, and mental health professionals to shine a light on the often-overlooked topic of mental health within our community. Finally, NewWave Foundation hosted our second Pitch Perfect competition in partnership with Visible Hands to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of underserved founders through an experience that culminated with over $25,000 in cash prizes awarded to the next cadre of business innovators.

As an organization, we’ve learned how to meet people where they are. Some are journeying toward financial freedom for their families. Some are recent college graduates striving toward a coveted seat at the entrepreneurship table. And some are pursuing alternative career paths post-high school to achieve their own version of success. With this broad spectrum of educational needs in mind, we look forward to continue hosting events that focus on financial literacy and entrepreneurship in 2023.

Newwave Foundation has renewed its commitment to equitable education by redefining our focus to address the critical area of financial literacy. This year, we are extremely excited about our plans to launch a new project named Money Talk$ Financial Literacy Program which is inspired by the success of our virtual seminar and workshop series, Money Talk$. By connecting culturally relevant and age-appropriate financial knowledge to real-world application designed to engage our black and brown teens, we hope to play our own small role in creating a new cycle of generational wealth, increasing responsible participation in a more equitable marketplace, and empowering our youth to utilize their financial know-how responsibly. As an organization, our quest this year remains the same: To make the most of the knowledge we have today to positively impact ourselves and others tomorrow. We look forward to continuing the journey with you. With hope and excitement.

Sherifah Munis

Founder, NewWave Foundation

Instill the Dream