Uploaded March 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This is a recording of our fourth event in a four-part Leadership Series on Tackling Poverty and Racism in America in collaboration with Acumen America.
The COVID-19 crisis and enduring racial injustice have highlighted failed systems and disproportionately impacted low-income communities and people of color. It has also emphasized the inextricable relationship between poverty and race in the United States. To address poverty and inequality, we need new solutions to upend America’s broken systems–from transforming how healthcare is delivered to building pathways toward quality jobs–that also tackle racial disparity head on.
Acumen America invests in early-stage businesses that tackle poverty and inequality in the United States, delivering critical products and services for low-income Americans. These companies are led by founders with extraordinary vision for and commitment toward a more just and inclusive America, and we are excited to host four conversations to share their experiences.
Ashley Edwards
Ashley Edwards is Founder and CEO of MindRight Health. She is a Forbes 30 under 30 Social Entrepreneur and her thought leadership in mental health innovation led Forbes to name her one of the top "Healers" set to influence the next century. Before MindRight, she served as Director of Operations of a high school in Newark, NJ. Ashley holds a MBA & MA in Education from Stanford University, where she was a recipient of the Miller Social Change Leadership Award. She graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor’s in Economics. Ashley is a proud resident of Newark, NJ, where MindRight is currently headquartered. Outside of work, Ashley serves as Impact Co-Chair of the Global Forbes 30 Under 30 community and loves to travel.
About MindRight Health
MindRight Health meets young people where they are by providing mental health coaching over text message. Members receive a personal team of trauma-informed coaches, supervised by licensed clinicians, who proactively support them 7 days/week, 365 days/year. Designed for underserved communities, MindRight breaks historical barriers of access to care and mental health stigma by providing a continuum of culturally-responsive, nonclinical support. MindRight provides health partners with real-time community wellness data to address social determinants of health and prevent crises. Founded by Ashley Edwards in 2019, with the mission to advance health equity by making mental health care radically accessible and inclusive of communities of color and low-income families, MindRight Health is headquartered in Newark, NJ.
About Acumen Academy
Acumen Academy is the world's school for social change. Our mission is to provide anyone, anywhere the skills and community to drive social change. Watch interviews with experts in the social impact space, learn the best practices of successful entrepreneurs, and access extra learning opportunities to support you on your journey.
Like what you see? Want to learn more?
Check out our curriculum of free and low-cost courses at acumenacademy.org
Facebook: facebook.com/AcumenAcademy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/acum...
Twitter: twitter.com/acumenacademy
Instagram: instagram.com/acumenacademy/
This is a recording of our fourth event in a four-part Leadership Series on Tackling Poverty and Racism in America in collaboration with Acumen America.
The COVID-19 crisis and enduring racial injustice have highlighted failed systems and disproportionately impacted low-income communities and people of color. It has also emphasized the inextricable relationship between poverty and race in the United States. To address poverty and inequality, we need new solutions to upend America’s broken systems–from transforming how healthcare is delivered to building pathways toward quality jobs–that also tackle racial disparity head on.
Acumen America invests in early-stage businesses that tackle poverty and inequality in the United States, delivering critical products and services for low-income Americans. These companies are led by founders with extraordinary vision for and commitment toward a more just and inclusive America, and we are excited to host four conversations to share their experiences.
Ashley Edwards
Ashley Edwards is Founder and CEO of MindRight Health. She is a Forbes 30 under 30 Social Entrepreneur and her thought leadership in mental health innovation led Forbes to name her one of the top "Healers" set to influence the next century. Before MindRight, she served as Director of Operations of a high school in Newark, NJ. Ashley holds a MBA & MA in Education from Stanford University, where she was a recipient of the Miller Social Change Leadership Award. She graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor’s in Economics. Ashley is a proud resident of Newark, NJ, where MindRight is currently headquartered. Outside of work, Ashley serves as Impact Co-Chair of the Global Forbes 30 Under 30 community and loves to travel.
About MindRight Health
MindRight Health meets young people where they are by providing mental health coaching over text message. Members receive a personal team of trauma-informed coaches, supervised by licensed clinicians, who proactively support them 7 days/week, 365 days/year. Designed for underserved communities, MindRight breaks historical barriers of access to care and mental health stigma by providing a continuum of culturally-responsive, nonclinical support. MindRight provides health partners with real-time community wellness data to address social determinants of health and prevent crises. Founded by Ashley Edwards in 2019, with the mission to advance health equity by making mental health care radically accessible and inclusive of communities of color and low-income families, MindRight Health is headquartered in Newark, NJ.
About Acumen Academy
Acumen Academy is the world's school for social change. Our mission is to provide anyone, anywhere the skills and community to drive social change. Watch interviews with experts in the social impact space, learn the best practices of successful entrepreneurs, and access extra learning opportunities to support you on your journey.
Like what you see? Want to learn more?
Check out our curriculum of free and low-cost courses at acumenacademy.org
Facebook: facebook.com/AcumenAcademy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/acum...
Twitter: twitter.com/acumenacademy
Instagram: instagram.com/acumenacademy/
