Howard-based innovators rewarded with major grants at 2024 Changemaker Challenge

Allana Haynes, Howard County Times, Columbia, Md.
·19 min read

May 14—Two Howard County entrepreneurs each won $25,000 grants during the 2024 Changemaker Challenge in Columbia for their unique ideas to address community needs by closing gaps in resources and services in the county.

Emmanuel Simms, 33, of Pikesville, won one of the grants for the Eudaimonia Project, a mental wellness initiative that aims to bridge the gap for people who have trouble paying for mental health services. The other $25,000 grant went to Sacral Roots, presented by Nayanie Henriquez, 34, of Laurel. Henriquez envisions a doula service focused on making maternal mental health services during childbirth accessible to under-served communities.

"For somebody to recognize the hard work, it's [validation] to just keep doing what you're doing and don't stop because you clearly are a voice that needs to be heard," Simms said.

Henriquez said the grant will allow her to bring visibility to maternal mental health in the community.

"I find with motherhood, so much of it is: Don't say that you're having a hard time because then you're a bad mom," she said. "I'm here today as a changemaker to say, we don't have to suffer through this; we don't have to do this alone."

The Community Foundation of Howard County, Horizon Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland and Women's Giving Circle all sponsored the Changemaker Challenge, an annual event since 2017. It's part of the United Way of Central Maryland's larger Changemaker Challenge competition, to highlight and award social innovation in Central Maryland, including Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County and Howard County.

United Way of Central Maryland has provided more than $600,000 in grants through the challenge. Each finalist chosen receives a $1,500 stipend, coaching and mentorship, then presents their idea during a live event in their region.

During the Howard County event May 7 at The Collective Encore in Columbia, 12 local people, dubbed changemakers, pitched their ideas then a panel of judges and audience members voted for their favorites.

Howard finalists included:

— Ballet After Dark, presented by Tyde-Courtney Edwards. Periodt!, peer fellowship program covering reproductive and menstrual health education for Black and brown girls.

— Bright Minds Foundation, presented by Danielle DuPuis. Reimagining the Rainbow: Strengthening Community Through Visible and Transparent Support to celebrate, educate and include topics of interest inclusive of the LGBTQIA+ community. The yearlong hybrid speaker series is run by Howard County Public School System high school students, in partnership with local community groups.

— Community Ecology Institute, presented by Justin Chen and Erika Chavarria. The Farming for Food Security initiative improves food security in Howard County by creating a collaborative team of local farms, food assistance programs and youth community members to distribute fresh and nutritious food to those in need.

— Eudaimonia Project

— HoCo Pride, presented by Abby Hendricks, Alisha Tronetti and Christy Hefty. A program for LGBTQIA+ individuals to share and spread their voice through images.

— Irie Cooking Adventure, presented by Michelle Beadle Holder. An initiative that brings joy to home cooking with a Caribbean-American version of the Mediterranean Diet.

— Luminus Network for New Americans, presented by Gabriel Moreno and Lucia Reyna. Seeks to empower up to 10 young, undocumented immigrant girls or non-binary people in Howard County high schools seeking to pursue studies in STEM through comprehensive immigration representation and mentorship.

— NonFudgery, presented by Jesse FitzGibbon. An organization that aims to become Howard County's premiere tech-focused nonprofit, empowering educators and youth to excel in an AI-driven future.

— Sacral Roots

— Sobar, Inc., presented by Beth Harbinson. A program to help bars, entertainment venues and restaurants create a profitable, safe, adult non-alcoholic beverage program that will reduce alcohol consumption and provide options for people in recovery.

— Women's Art Therapy Support Group, presented by Sara Murphy and Heidi Diliberto. A monthly art therapy support group for women to create art and community in a therapeutic environment.

The judges selected the Community Ecology Institute and Luminus Network for New Americans as the winners of $15,000 grants and Ballet After Dark as the winner of the $10,000 Women's Giving Circle grant. Audience members voted for Bright Minds as the winner of the $10,000 Audience Choice grant.

Danielle DuPuis, 44, of Catonsville, presented on behalf of the Howard County Public School System's Bright Minds Foundation, which works to give all children in the public school system access to education, resources and opportunities, regardless of income. The organization has given grants to teachers, provided post-secondary scholarships to students, paid off students' lunch debts, and gifted computers and books to students, among other projects.

"I love this work and I'm really excited to get back to work and do it all over again," DuPuis said.

Cat Harmon, senior director of communications at the Horizon Foundation, said the Changemaker Challenge puts a new spin on community problem-solving.

"We know that we have some really creative, innovative thinkers and community members who are living, seeing and breathing some of these issues," she said. "They're finding ways to solve [problems] to help make a more broad community and a greater community impact than what's immediately in front of them."

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2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Cat Harmon Senior Director of Communications for the Horizon Foundation, welcomes all to the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Calvin B. Ball, County Executive, Howard County, makes his remarks at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Calvin B. Ball, County Executive, Howard County, makes his remarks at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Standing room only at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Horizon Foundation President and CEO, Nikki Highsmith Vernick, makes her remarks at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Franklyn Baker, President and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland, makes his remarks at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Kai Reed, News Anchor, Reporter with WBAL-TV 11, served as MC at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Pictured left to right, the judges of the 2024 Changemaker Challenge; Megan Davis, Chris Fortune, Jennifer Bodensick, Jim Sanders, and Lisa Pearson. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Tyde-Courtney Edwards makes he pitch for "Ballet After Dark" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Tyde-Courtney Edwards makes he pitch for "Ballet After Dark" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Howard County Pride Abby Hendrix, COO, Chris Hefty, CFO, and Alisha Tronetti, CEO, make their pitch at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Howard County Pride Abby Hendrix, COO, Chris Hefty, CFO, and Alisha Tronetti, CEO, answer questions from the hudges after making their pitch at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Erica White and Nette Stokes, JustLiving Advocacy, Inc., make their pitch for "Grammy's Kids" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Nette Stokes and Erica White, JustLiving Advocacy, Inc., make their pitch for "Grammy's Kids" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Gabriel Moreno and Lucia Reyna make their pitch for "Luminus Network for New Americans" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Gabriel Moreno and Lucia Reyna make their pitch for "Luminus Network for New Americans" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Michelle Beadle Holder, makes her pitch for "Irie Cooking Adventure" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Michelle Beadle Holder, makes her pitch for "Irie Cooking Adventure" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Emmanuel Simms makes his pitch for the "Eudaimonia Project at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Emmanuel Simms makes his pitch for the "Eudaimonia Project" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Sara Murphy and Heidi Diliberto, make their piytch for "The Ripple Effect" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Sara Murphy and Heidi Diliberto, make their piytch for "The Ripple Effect" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Jesse FitzGibbon makes his pitch for "NonFudgery" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Jesse FitzGibbon makes his pitch for "NonFudgery" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Erika Chavarria and Justin Chen make their pitch for "Community Ecology Institute and Columbia Community Care" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Erika Chavarria and Justin Chen make their pitch for "Community Ecology Institute and Columbia Community Care" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Nayanie Henriquez makes her pitch for "Sacral Roots" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Nayanie Henriquez makes her pitch for "Sacral Roots" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Beth Harbinson makes her pitch for "Sobar" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Beth Harbinson makes her pitch for "Sobar" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Danielle DuPuis makes a pitch for "Brightminds" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Danielle DuPuis answers judges' questions after making a pitch for "Brightminds" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Danielle DuPuis' "Brightminds" is an Audience Choice winner of $10,000 at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Tyde-Courtney Edwards' "Ballet After Dark" is an Audience Choice winner of $10,000 at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Gabriel Moreno and Lucia Reyna won $15,000 for "Luminus Network for New Americans" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Justin Chen and Erika Chavarria won $15,000 for "Community Ecology Institute and Columbia Community Care" at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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Nayanie Henriquez's "Sacral Roots" and Emmanuel Simms' "Eudaimonia Project" were the big winners, each taking home $25,000 at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge. Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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The winners of the 2024 Changemaker Challenge in Howard County gather on the stage. Pictured left to right; Nayanie Henriquez "Sacral Roots," Emmanuel Simms "Eudaimonia Project," Justin Chen and Erika Chavarria "Community Ecology Institute and Columbia Community Care," Gabriel Moreno and Lucia Reyna "Luminus Network for New Americans," Tyde-Courtney Edwards "Ballet After Dark," and Danielle DuPuis "Brightminds."..Local innovators pitched their ideas to address community needs and to help close gaps in services and resources in Howard County during United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, which is committed to amplifying ideas to drive long-term, positive change in the community, according to a description of the event. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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