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JA 18 Under 18 2024
UGONMA CHIKE-KALU
Ugonma’s entrepreneurial, creative, and altruistic spirit extends far beyond Western School of Technology and Environmental Science, where she is a junior. As co-founder of Fellowship Feeds, she organizes weekly sessions to feed the homeless. Captain of two dance teams and vice president of the school’s African Student Association (ASA), she revitalized the ASA dance team. Through the United Negro College Fund’s Black Student Scholars Program, she provides guidance on the college application process to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Using her artistic talents, Ugonma is launching the Healing Palette, an art therapy/journaling organization for end-of-life patients. Her cancer advocacy work includes tutoring children with cancer and serving as an American Cancer Society CAN legislator. She’s also starting an ArtReach Education Learning Center at MedStar Hospital to tutor young cancer patients.
“Ugonma doesn’t just participate; she takes initiatives that reflect her genuine commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others.” —Betsey Oge, nominator