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March marks a joyous month for Future Foundation. We honor Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the incredible achievements and contributions of women throughout history and in our present day.
In addition, we’ve had the incredible privilege to announce 11 new members to our board of directors who bring fresh perspectives and renewed energy to our organization’s initiatives.
In the spirit of Women’s History Month, we reached out to a few current and past board members to share their thoughts on this significant month and introduce them to the Future Foundation community.
Co-founders of Future Foundation
We sat down to talk with Shareef Abdul-Rahim, Dee Dee Abdul-Rahim, and our Future Foundation founders, whose dedication has been instrumental in our mission.
Each growing up in inner-cities knows just how important it is to provide the tools and resources needed for all students to thrive and succeed. More than anything, each co-founder wants to provide a safe environment for young girls to learn, grow, and become confident as they navigate the world around them.
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“I hope they leave Future Foundation confident knowing it equipped them with the necessary skills they can use to be successful and compete wherever they find themselves and rise to the challenge. I hope they go into the world and be leaders and role models in their communities, and also come back to share their experiences with other kids in the program and allow them to see the success they’re experiencing.” – Dee Dee Abdul-Rahim
Shareef, who recently was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, echoes his wife’s sentiment and attributes his mother to being inspired to begin Future Foundation in the first place. Her love and dedication to people were a powerful influence and though he no longer resides in Georgia, it’s the place he grew up and one of the many places he aims to make an impact.
In an 2017 article written for Work for Good – “A Ripple, A Wave, A Tide – Leading Change From Where You Are Now”, Qaadirah Abdur- Rahim, sister of Shareef Abdur – Rahim, also a co-founder, and first CEO of Future Foundation, spoke of the importance of building a “second family”, being resilient, staying well, and disrupting oneself.
- Embrace your mentors. Build your “second family” by embracing your mentors and embracing mentorship. Don’t be afraid to stand on the shoulders of giants: One of my mentors has encouraged me to go back to school, another has shared her network. But I have also learned just as much from my mentees.
- Be resilient. Don’t be afraid. Instead, ask a new question. Explore a new path. Think differently. Employ positive self-talk. And never give up on something you believe in deeply. I can tell you first-hand: It really works.
- Be well. This work is hard. We cannot be an inspiration or lead change if we are not well. Establish a weekly routine that allows for physical activity and meditation.
- Disrupt yourself. Companies and organizations that don’t examine their surroundings don’t make it. Look at some of the companies that have been around for 50-plus years: It’s not the strong that survive, it’s those that are most adaptable. Just like a company, you must always examine how you are growing in relation to where you are now, personally and professionally.
Future Foundation has been committed to helping middle and high school youth – girls and boys climb out of poverty for 23 years, and the current executive leadership is excited to add new energy to help move the organization forward.
Get to know board member Raina Wilson
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Raina Wilson is a seasoned IT Technology leader with over 20 years of experience, specializing in system transformations and project/program excellence across the Finance, Transportation, and Media sectors. Raina’s credentials include a Cyber Security and Information Systems Security Certificate from Emory University, a Bachelors degree in Spanish and Business Adm, and notable industry certifications such as Lean Six Sigma (Yellow Belt), PMP, Scrum Master (CSM), and ITILv3 designations.
Raina was drawn to become a Future Foundation board member because she wanted to volunteer and contribute her time somewhere that focused on making a difference in young people’s lives. When she heard about Future Foundation’s mission, it touched her heart.
She knew now was the right time because of how quickly the world is changing and she sees this as a perfect opportunity to get involved as she sees the need for more guidance and mentorship for young people. She wants to give back and invest in today’s young the same way adults did for her when she was growing up.
She’s most excited about making a positive difference in a young person’s life and bringing new and different ideas and viewpoints to Future Foundation.
She believes our Second Family model sets Future Foundation apart from other organizations.
Our Second Family model acts as a support center not only for the child but the family as well. She believes this model creates a deeper and lasting impact that can turn into a ripple effect for future generations.
Raina’s background uniquely positions her to propel the mission of Future Foundation. She has a background in different languages and traveling and living abroad. Her experiences have honed her ability to collaborate effectively with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. In addition, her technical background makes her an excellent candidate for providing our young with opportunities to engage in technology and global experiences, which will position them to thrive in the future economy as we move further into the information and digital age.
We asked Raina about influential women in her life, and she eloquently highlighted individuals ranging from her own mother to historical figures like Ida B. Wells and Harriet Tubman who were her sources of inspiration that shaped her worldview.
When asked what Women’s History Month means to her, she responded, “Women’s History Month signifies a time to celebrate and honor the contributions of women throughout history and today. It’s a time to unite and empower women all around the world.”
Get to know board member Charmaine Chin
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Charmaine Chin currently serves as Director of TechOps Alliance Strategy for Delta TechOps. Her team collaborates with Delta’s international alliance partners to drive best practices across TechOps Maintenance while creating strategies to service third-party customers. Additionally, they are responsible for the organization’s components sales strategy.
Charmaine was drawn to become a Future Foundation board member because, as a long-time volunteer in her community, she feels it is an honor to have a positive and lasting impact on her community. Future Foundation’s mission resonated with her passion to serve youth and provide the skills they need to thrive in adulthood.
She is most excited about being part of something bigger than herself. She believes that being able to serve on the board not only impacts young lives but it helps strengthen the ecosystem of our communities for equitable, meaningful, and sustainable change.
She believes what sets Future Foundation apart from other organizations is its staying power and ability to thrive even in times of crisis: The Great Recession of 2008, the Housing Market Crash, and the COVID-19 Pandemic are just a few significant events that Future Foundation has been able to go through and see the other side. Beyond that, she believes Future Foundation is an agile organization that can evolve to support its growing needs and evolving landscape from starting with an after-school program of 15 students to expanding to over 500 students, family support workshops, and corporate mentorship programs.
Charmaine grew up in a single-parent household where her parent was not born in the country. While her family was not rich in material things, they were rich in community with family and friends always around to lend support. Despite the challenges, their support system allowed them to gain exposure and education to improve their lives for the better. Charmaine’s background closely relates to the backgrounds of many of our students, and she is proud to support the mission the same way her community supported her.
We asked Charmaine about influential women in her life, and she wholeheartedly said her mother has been the most influential woman in her life. As a first-generation immigrant from Jamaica, her unconditional love, sacrifice, encouragement, and support have made her the woman she is today. Another impactful woman in her life would be her identical twin sister who has been an incredible team player in life since day 1.
When asked what Women’s History Month means to her, she responded, “Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the wonderful women whose contributions have shaped our society. It is also a time to reflect on one’s personal responsibility to continue the legacy of the great women before us. We all play an important role in creating a better world for the next generations.”
We Believe
At Future Foundation, we believe it is vital we empower young girls to feel confident about pursuing their dreams and accomplishing their goals. We echo the advice Raina and Charmaine gave us when asked the question: What fun things can we do to celebrate Women’s History Month?
- Watch a movie about inspirational women who changed history
- Volunteer in the community to educate young on important women in history
- Have a workshop on women leaders and engage in dialogue about which women leaders resonate or inspire them.
- Attend local events with women you love
- Take a trip with the women in your family
- Participate in a fitness day focusing on women’s health
Women’s History Month serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience, strength, and accomplishments of women throughout history. At Future Foundation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to honoring and empowering future generations of leaders.