Three Fort Worth area entrepreneurs have been awarded a total of $35,000 by the United Way of Tarrant County for their social impact pitches in the recent KERNEL LIVE! event.
Four finalists from a field of 14 applicants pitched at KERNEL LIVE! on how they fostered collaboration to advance social innovation, entrepreneurship, and positive impact in the community. They presented before five judges and a live audience in the Four Day Weekend improvisational group theater in Sundance Square in Fort Worth.
KERNEL LIVE! started last year and was inspired by the Shark Tank television show.
“Through this program, we encourage not only creative thinking and entrepreneurship, but solutions to help some of the most pressing needs in our community.”
T.D. Smyers
Center for Transforming Lives was the top awardee, receiving $15,000 for FIRED UP!, a program that addresses poverty by eliminating barriers and teaching employment skills to homeless women, especially those with limited skills, spotty work histories, or criminal backgrounds. Its aim is to help homeless women feel empowered and get back into society as productive citizens.
Alliance For Children, the children’s advocacy center serving all of Tarrant County, was awarded $10,000 for The Makeover Project, which provides room makeovers for children who experience abuse in their home living environment.
The remaining $10,000 was awarded to Total K.O. Boxing Club for a Club Spring Program, which provides at-risk young women boxing training and technique, boxing discipline, academic tutoring, and leadership skills.
“The United Way of Tarrant County was pleased to provide funding for the competition,” United Way of Tarrant County CEO T.D. Smyers said in a release. “Through this program, we encourage not only creative thinking and entrepreneurship, but solutions to help some of the most pressing needs in our community.”
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