The Bridge
Dreamer to Doer: Taco Bell Foundation’s Ambition Accelerator Fuels Young Changemaker’s Bold Idea
Following the second annual Ambition Accelerator Summit, 24-year-old changemaker Victoria Lamar receives $25,000 in funding to help excel her education-focused initiative.
IRVINE, Calif. /PRNewswire/ — Taco Bell Foundation and nonprofit partner Ashoka announced today the top changemaker in the second Ambition Accelerator Summit, hosted at Taco Bell’s headquarters in Irvine, Calif. Victoria Lamar pitched Securing Degrees, a national scholarship coaching platform that helps students alleviate the financial burden of higher education, winning the challenge and receiving a $25,000 social impact grant.
Changemaker Recognition
The prize funding will enable the Atlanta-based initiative to expand and provide additional resources to students aged 17 to 22, especially those from underrepresented communities. Since 2018, Securing Degrees has assisted over 4,000 families in securing $20 million in scholarships, ensuring debt-free education. Students on the platform are provided access to experienced coaches who help identify scholarships, craft compelling narratives, and meet application deadlines.
“Participating in the Ambition Accelerator program has been a transformative experience,” said Victoria Lamar, the 2024 Ambition Accelerator grand prize recipient. “The support and resources provided are empowering me to drive meaningful change and will allow me to take Securing Degrees to the next level. I’m excited to see the positive impact Securing Degrees can make with the help of the Taco Bell Foundation and Ashoka.”
After receiving over 370 applications from young people across the country, the Taco Bell Foundation invited the top 50 changemakers, including Victoria, for an immersive experience at Taco Bell’s headquarters this week. These Summit Semi-Finalists were granted the opportunity to enhance their entrepreneurial skills by participating in workshops focused on storytelling, community building, networking, and more. Each Semi-Finalist received $1,000 in seed funding for their social ventures, and five finalists were invited to a pitch competition. The grand prize recipient of the pitch competition received $25,000 in addition to previous competition awards and a Taco Bell gift card, gifted by Taco Bell Corp. The other four finalists were awarded an additional $5,000 each to further develop their projects.
“We created Ambition Accelerator to elevate the voices of our future leaders,” said Julie Davis, Global Chief Legal Officer, Taco Bell & Executive Sponsor, Taco Bell Foundation. “By fostering a supportive network and providing essential tools over the past few days, we hope these bright, socially motivated individuals will feel empowered to continue their work and make a difference in their communities.”
In addition to Securing Degrees, the other projects selected to participate in the pitch competition included:
- Farms for Thought: Farms for Thought combats food deserts by deploying autonomous vertical farms in schools. Through partnerships and innovative technology, the program aims to improve access to healthy food, promote education, and empower communities.
- Elevate the Navajo Nation: Navajo youth face challenges such as substance abuse, poverty, domestic violence, hopelessness, and lack of guidance. To address these issues, multi-generational Navajo leaders have created Elevate Navajo, a program that provides mentorship to help youth navigate these challenges. The program aims to build long-term, life-changing relationships, equipping Navajo youth to thrive and contribute to their community.
- Every Kid Gets a Robot (EKGAR): Founded in 2019, The STEAM Connection is a 501(c)(3) charity led by youth and minorities, dedicated to democratizing technical education for Indigenous youth through robotics by providing free access to cutting-edge solutions. The STEAM Connection has created Every Kid Gets A Robot (EKGAR), an educational robotics kit that costs less than $20 to produce. It’s provided free of charge to K-12 students, boosting their technical skills by 70%. So far, EKGAR has reached 45,000 youth.
- SignAll: Less than 0.1% of the hearing population understands sign language. SignAll is an AI-based sign language translation app that provides real-time translations by leveraging a mobile device’s camera at the person signing, helping to break down barriers in communication.
To narrow down these breakthrough ideas and select the winner, Taco Bell Foundation invited a panel of judges to deliberate including:
- Kim Malek, Founder & CEO, Salt & Straw
- Stephen Green, Founder, PitchBlack
- Chris White, EVP of Brand Partnerships, The SpringHill Company
- Neil Borkan, Taco Bell Franchisee & Chairman, Taco Bell Foundation
- SG Ellison, Taco Bell Franchisee & President of Diversified Restaurant Group and A&C Ventures
- Tim Bergevin, Vice President of Entertainment & Community Marketing, Taco Bell
“Meeting the participants and witnessing the connections they have made over these past few days is incredible,” said Tia Johnston Brown, Executive Director of Ashoka’s Youth Venture. “The Ambition Accelerator Summit embodies Ashoka and the Taco Bell Foundation’s mission to empower individuals to pursue their passion. These young people are already changing the world.”
Funded by Yum! Brand’s $100 million Unlocking Opportunity Initiative, Ambition Accelerator is dedicated to creating pathways for a more equitable and inclusive society. The inaugural Ambition Accelerator India Summit will be taking place in September in Bengaluru.
About Taco Bell Foundation
Taco Bell Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity that helps break down barriers to educate and inspire the next generation of America’s young leaders. Since 1992, the Taco Bell Foundation has reached more than 5 million young people across the country and has awarded more than $188 million in grants and scholarships, focused on education and career readiness. For more information about the Taco Bell Foundation, visit www.tacobellfoundation.org.
About Ashoka
Ashoka is the largest global network of leading social entrepreneurs—individuals with new ideas to systemically address the world’s biggest challenges and the entrepreneurial skill to transform those ideas into national, regional and global social impact. For over 40 years, Ashoka has supported over 4,000 social entrepreneurs in 90 countries with solutions addressing society’s most pressing issues. Ashoka’s vision is a world in which Everyone is a Changemaker—a society that responds quickly and effectively to challenges, and where every individual has the freedom, confidence and societal support to address any social problem. For more information, visit ashoka.org.
Katie Snyder – Edelman
katie.snyder@edelman.com
Chad Hoffmann – Taco Bell Corp.
chad.hoffmann@yum.com
Tia Johnston Brown – Ashoka
tjohnston@ashoka.org
SOURCE Taco Bell Corp.
Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.
child education
When School’s Out, Community Steps In
Community: The joy of being a kid on summer vacation offers a time to explore with your friends, discover new things about the world and yourself and recharge for a few months before heading back to school in the fall. However, for millions of families, the end of the school year also marks the beginning of a stressful season filled with tough choices, as children can fall behind in the months away from the classroom.
(Feature Impact) The joy of being a kid on summer vacation offers a time to explore with your friends, discover new things about the world and yourself and recharge for a few months before heading back to school in the fall. However, for millions of families, the end of the school year also marks the beginning of a stressful season filled with tough choices, as children can fall behind in the months away from the classroom.
The summer gap begins when the school doors close and many children lose access to the daily routines, educational support and dependable nutrition that help them thrive. For families already juggling tight budgets and demanding schedules, summer can quickly become a season of added pressure and stress.
Summer learning loss – or the decline in academic skills and learning during the school break – can have a lasting impact on academic outcomes. Studies show over the summer, students can forget 20-30% of what they learned during the school year. Without the right support, students often start the new school year playing catchup, which can cause them to fall further behind.
Summer can also intensify food insecurity. Of the more than 22 million kids who rely on free or reduced-priced school meals, many lose access to these vital programs over the summer. When those meals disappear, families must stretch already limited budgets to cover up to 10 additional meals a week per child. In fact, recent United Way Worldwide data from 211 – the free 24/7 helpline that connects people with local resources – identified food access as one of the most pressing needs facing millions of families nationwide.
These overlapping pressures fall especially hard on millions of working families living paycheck to paycheck, including ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households. They earn above the federal poverty level but still struggle to afford basic expenses like housing, medicine, food and transportation.
Addressing the summer gap requires a community-wide approach and solutions that meet hardworking families where they are. For example, United Way Community Schools are community-based hubs that bring together schools, social services agencies, volunteers and other community partners to provide students and families with essential support like tutoring, food access and health and wellness resources.
Families also need easy, practical, daily tips and local resources to make ends meet and help their kids stay on track.
Learning that Fits Your Day
For busy families, low- or no-cost learning moments that fit into packed schedules can make a real difference. Many communities and nonprofits offer dedicated programs to keep children active and learning during the summer, such as:
- Summer art classes, creative writing workshops and digital literacy tutoring at local libraries
- Free monthly book deliveries and reading challenges through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – a United Way partner – or book exchanges at Little Free Libraries in high-traffic areas
- Gardening classes, nature appreciation classes and swim lessons through local parks and recreation departments
- Free weekly youth workshops offered by many public museums, zoos and botanical gardens
- Free virtual museum field trips through institutions like the Smithsonian and NASA Glenn Research Center
- Free online courses in topics ranging from coding to art or language learning
Accessing Your Community’s Food Network
Families shouldn’t have to choose between nutritious food and other essentials. Help is available to ensure kids have the nutrition needed to thrive over the summer. While resources vary by community, examples include:
- Youth-serving organizations serving as open summer meal sites, offering free breakfast and lunch to kids and teens
- City parks departments offering daily meal stations
- School districts offering summer meal programs; food delivery may be an option
- Local places of worship hosting open-door meal programs or distributing weekend grocery bags for families
For those looking to make a difference this summer, consider lending a hand to help children and families. Volunteering is a rewarding way to give back to your community. Whether it’s mentoring, serving meals, reading with students or supporting local programs, even a small time investment can make a lasting impact. After all, when families thrive, communities thrive.
To learn more about childhood summer learning programs, food initiatives and ways to support your community, visit unitedway.org.
SOURCE:
The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.
https://stmdailynews.com/the-bridge
Community
StarKist® and Feed the Children Team Up Again to Help Put Child Hunger to Bed™
StarKist and Feed the Children are expanding the Put Child Hunger to Bed campaign (May 1–Sept 30, 2026), donating up to 100,000 pouches and matching up to $100,000 in donations.
Child hunger isn’t an abstract issue—it’s a daily reality for families in communities across the U.S. That’s why StarKist® is renewing its long-running partnership with Feed the Children through the Put Child Hunger to Bed™ campaign, turning simple, everyday actions into tangible support for kids who need it most.
Announced April 30, 2026, the campaign runs May 1 through September 30, 2026, and gives consumers two straightforward ways to participate: buy a product many already keep in their pantry, or donate directly online. Either way, the goal is the same—help more children and families access nutritious food and essential resources.
Two ways everyday choices can make an impact
StarKist is inviting shoppers to join the movement with built-in giving tied to routine purchases:
- Buy a tuna pouch, give a pouch: For every StarKist tuna pouch purchased, StarKist will donate one pouch to Feed the Children, up to 100,000 pouches.
- Donate online, double the impact: StarKist will match consumer donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000, when donations are made through the campaign site.
Consumers can learn more or donate directly at StarKist.com/feedthechildren.
A partnership with more than 15 years behind it
StarKist and Feed the Children aren’t new collaborators. According to StarKist, the organizations have worked together for more than 15 years, combining product donations and financial contributions to support children and families experiencing hunger and hardship.
Michael Merritt Jr., Vice President and Head of Marketing & Innovation at StarKist, said the campaign is designed to make participation easy and meaningful—so consumers can be part of the solution through actions that fit naturally into everyday life.
Feed the Children also emphasized the broader impact: when families have reliable access to food and essentials, it doesn’t just help them get through today—it supports children’s development and future opportunities.
Jax joins the campaign to amplify awareness
To help bring the message to more families and communities, StarKist is partnering with a group of creators and advocates, including musician and mom Jax (@jax), who has 14.7 million TikTok followers and is known for uplifting, relatable content.
Jax shared that becoming a mom has deepened her perspective on food insecurity—and that no child should have to wonder where their next meal is coming from. As part of the collaboration, she’s also teaming up with Charlie The Tuna® for a new jingle tied to the campaign.
More voices joining the movement
Alongside Jax, StarKist is working with additional creators to encourage participation and share practical ways to support families:
- Becca Kufrin (@bkoof) – TV personality and mom
- Kit Hoover (@kithoover) – TV host
- Marina Chaparro (@nutrichicos) – Registered pediatric dietitian
- Samantha Busch (@samanthabusch) – Lifestyle influencer and philanthropist
The mix of entertainment, family lifestyle, and nutrition voices is intentional: the campaign is built to meet people where they already are—online, in stores, and in daily routines.
Why tuna pouches are the campaign’s centerpiece
StarKist is centering the campaign around its tuna pouches because they’re designed for convenience and nutrition—ready-to-eat, fully cooked, and available in more than 20 varieties. The company notes that each pouch delivers 12 grams or more of protein, making it an easy option for quick lunches, snacks, or on-the-go meals.
The bigger idea: when a product is already part of a household routine, tying it to giving can help scale impact—turning a small choice into support for families facing food insecurity.
How to get involved
If you want to participate between May 1 and September 30, 2026, you can:
- Purchase any StarKist tuna pouch (any size, type, or flavor) at your local grocery store or retailer
- Visit StarKist.com/feedthechildren to learn more or donate (with matching available up to the campaign limit)
Together, StarKist and Feed the Children say they’re working toward a shared goal: helping ensure kids can focus on growing, learning, and dreaming—rather than worrying about their next meal.
About the organizations
- StarKist Co. is a socially responsible company focused on convenient, nutritious proteins, known for its single-serve pouch products and its longtime mascot, Charlie The Tuna®.
- Feed the Children is a global nonprofit working to end childhood hunger in the U.S. and around the world by providing food, essentials, and opportunities to children and families.
To read more about community-related events, visit www.stmdailynews.com and search for “community.”
The Bridge
McKinley Thompson: African American Auto Designer
The first-generation Bronco was designed by McKinley Thompson Jr., Ford’s first African American designer. This highlights his significant contribution to the automotive industry during Black History Month.
The first-generation Bronco was designed by McKinley Thompson Jr., who was the first African American designer hired at Ford Motor Company.
Edited by: Rod Washington
Images: Ford Motor Company
Storyblocks
Wikipedia Wiki Commons
Visit: https://stmdailynews.com/category/the-bridge/black-history/
