HAMPTON ROADS, Va — The first black female NFL official and former educator, Maia Chaka, is expanding her impact with the launch of a new non-profit organization.
"Make Meaningful Change" is an organization dedicated to supporting students and educators across Hampton Roads throughout the academic year.
Before pursuing her career in the NFL, Maia says she was an educator herself, leading her to seek value in providing kids with opportunities to excel in all aspects of life. "I was one of the kids that gave teachers a lot of challenges and with that I understand what it means to be someone who has to be flexible and diverse in the classroom," said Chaka.
Chaka says the primary focus of her non-profit is to open a pipeline of engagement with youth who are often overlooked by the public school systems. She tells News 3 her organization will give students and educators direct access to tools, workshops and mentorship to help them succeed throughout the year.
Chaka hopes to bridge the gap between small businesses and education as she believes that education is taking a new turn in today's society.
"Kids are no longer having that blueprint of just going to college, they are more entrepreneurs and we have more of those on the market right now," she said. "Instead of someone who wants to go to school, get a degree than get a job."
Chaka says MMC is working to build relationships with small businesses in Hampton Roads now, so in the future, students will have the access and skills needed to pursue their own businesses.
To kick off the launch of her non-profit, Chaka is hosting an "Academic After-Party" on September 2, complete with food and games. It’s at Makers Craft Brewery in Norfolk from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event is free for educators. All other guests are asked to give a $20 donation.
To learn more, head to MakeMeaningfulChange.org.
