Facebook Unveils the Participants in Its Community Accelerator Initiative

Facebook revealed the participants in its Community Accelerator initiative, a six-month program that provides training, mentorship and funding to help community leaders grow their communities. The 77 program participants will spend the first three months learning how to grow their communities and meet their goals from experts, coaches and a customized curriculum, while the second three months will see them iterating and executing on their plans with funding and continued support from their networks and a dedicated team. A total of up to $3 million will be awarded to the selected community leaders, with each receiving up to $30,000. The social network shared details on the 14 participants from North America, as well as some from across the globe. They include: Brian Anderson, Fathering Together, which incorporated as a nonprofit after being established as Dads With Daughters in February 2018. Its focus is twofold: educating dads and building relationships across differences to create a better world for their children. Elizabeth Behrens, Be the Bridge, which was formed by Latasha Morrison in 2015 as a place for diverse people to discuss racial reconciliation and increase their racial literacy through healthy dialogue and understanding. Monica Berlitz, Clube da Alice, a community in Brazil that promotes female entrepreneurship and an active dialogue about the female universe. Warren Carlyle IV, OctoNation—The Largest Octopus Fan Club, which Carlyle created in September 2015 to foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of one of the ocean's most fascinating animals. Nadia Gamal El Din, Rahet Bally Community, a group for new moms in Egypt to understand and cope with motherhood, offering them peace of mind and much-needed support. Paul Gowder, PowWows.com, a place to celebrate, explore, learn and connect with Native American culture regardless of one's background. Marvyn Harrison, Dope Black Dads, which he started after his daughter was born and he wrote to 23 other Black dads in the U.K. Courtney Jones, ClearTheList Foundation, which she started last year as Support a Teacher—#ClearTheList Global Community to give educators a place to connect, advocate for their classroom needs, and receive donated school supplies. Dasha Kennedy, The Broke Black Girl, which she established in 2017 to empower and provide culturally relevant financial literacy resources to Black women. Judith Mayer, Breast Cancer Straight Talk, started by young mother Seline Arnfield in 2017 to give women facing breast cancer a place to tell their stories, share their feelings and find support. Abagail McKiernan, Spark in the Dark, which she started in 2015 to connect people in need directly with community members and businesses that were able to help. Vivian Nwankpah, Moms of Black Boys United, which was created by Depelsha McGruder in 2017 to influence policy around the treatment of Black boys and men by law enforcement and society. children Dillion Phiri, Creative Nestlings, a creative network that focuses on the growth of young South African creatives across the continent and its diaspora by connecting their community to each other, teaching new skills and providing career opportunities. Bernard Pollack, Food Tank, started by he and Danielle Nierenberg in 2012 after spending 18 months interviewing thousands of farmers across 26 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. It is now a research and advocacy nonprofit organization that publishes original research, hosts daily podcasts and livestreams with experts and convenes sold out events and summits around the world. Joey Rosenberg, Women Who Code, started by a group of engineers in San Francisco in 2011 with a vision of changing the tech industry to see women better represented at every level. Jessica Valle, Kesem, which was founded in 2010 to provide free community support to children and families impacted by a parent's cancer. Meghan Young, PNW Outdoor Women, founded in 2015 to give women a brave space to share their stories, ask questions and find community both on and off the trails. Tiffany Yu, Diversability, which she started in 2009 to give disabled and non-disabled people a space to tackle disability bias through the celebration of the disability lived experience. Yves Miel Zuniga, MentalHealthPH, which was created to promote and protect mental health in the Philippines through the use of social media and digital technology.