The PepsiCo Foundation and Doritos SOLID BLACK are teaming up to uplift Black community leaders, ensuring bold voices that often go unheard are being amplified and given the opportunity to create positive change within their communities.
The Foundation has committed to awarding a $50,000 grant to each selected Black Changemaker’s nonprofit organization to celebrate and support the bold impact of their efforts. Additionally, the Foundation will provide leadership development training in partnership with Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and Doritos SOLID BLACK will share their platform with the game changing nonprofit leaders.
In 2022, a similar program from Doritos SOLID BLACK amplified the voices of four Black Changemakers who are making waves in their communities.
- Miss Diddy: A Compton, California native and entertainment marketer, has prioritized impact as a part of her success story. This includes providing every senior citizen home in Compton with masks throughout the pandemic, providing Christmas gifts to 5,000 families, and helping connect over 2,000 families with access to nutritious meals. With the support of the Black Changemakers program, she extended her ongoing focus on community impact supporting the SoLa I CAN Foundation’s mission to strengthen community development, access to education, and economic opportunity for youth in South Los Angeles.
- DJ Mr. Rogers: DJ Mr. Rogers is the co-founder of the Relief Gang, a nonprofit designed to aid Houstonians affected by Hurricane Harvey which over the last five years has grown into a regional effort extending to other parts of Texas and Louisiana. As a Black Changemaker program participant, he was able to expand his efforts and make an even bolder impact on his community.
- Eric Hart Jr.: Originally from Georgia and now a photographer in New York City, Eric Hart Jr. is focused on amplifying the power of Blackness and queerness through the art of photography. With the support of the Black Changemakers program, Eric was able to support The Gordon Parks Foundation which permanently preserves the work of Gordon Parks by making it available to the public through exhibitions, books, and electronic media and supports artistic and educational activities.
- PikaChulita: PikaChulita, from Memphis, Tennessee, is part of Black Girl Gamers, a Twitch channel centered around creating safe, supportive, and fun spaces for marginalized individuals – especially those who are Black, Brown, or LGBTQIA+. PikaChulita is focused on working with organizations that give the next generation a head start in tech, including CodeCrew who she supported through the 2022 class.
Individuals dedicated to making bold, positive impacts in their own communities are encouraged to apply. If you know a nonprofit leader in your community who should apply, please share the application link. Applications are open through December 11.
