CTIA Wireless Foundation Awards Catalyst 2023 Winners
Summary
"These innovative social entrepreneurs are using wireless connectivity to empower change in their communities by addressing the challenges of cyberbullying, education inequities and veterans mental health with mobile-first solutions. "The top grant prize of $100,000 was awarded to ReThink, an app-based platform that works to stop digital hate by using AI and machine learning to detect online hostility. Headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, ReThink has positively impacted more than 5 million youth via its technology, educational initiatives, and anti-hate advocacy.Catalyst also awarded finalists Dope Nerds and Healium with $50,000 and $25,000 grants, respectively. Dope Nerds is breaking down barriers to digital inclusion by using virtual reality to deliver STEM-STEAM curricula along with career planning to middle and high school students. This year, 74% of applicant organizations are led by a member/members of the Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, and more than half of the organizations are led by a person whose gender identity is female.Thank you to the Catalyst 2023 sponsors: Qualcomm, AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, American Tower, Asurion, Assurant, iconectiv, Intel, Wiley Rein LLP and Wilkinson Barker Knauer.For more than 30 years, CTIA Wireless Foundation has been at the forefront of wireless-driven social innovation, leading initiatives to address societal challenges such as public safety, domestic violence, childrens health, mental health and distracted driving.