A Season of Gratitude

Reflecting on Impact and Looking Ahead.

As November draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on what it truly means to build community. This month, as we've prepared for our upcoming Holiday Gala and connected with hundreds of families through our programs, I'm reminded that our work isn't just about numbers or milestones—it's about the lives we touch and the potential we unlock together.

Gratitude in Action

Thanksgiving has always been more than a holiday for me. It's a reminder that gratitude isn't passive—it's an action.

When I founded the KRoussaw Foundation in 2019, I did so because I believed that every person in our community deserves access to resources, mentorship, and opportunities that can transform their trajectory. Six years later, having served over 10,000 program participants and partnered with 21 schools across the DMV, that belief burns stronger than ever.

This November, I'm particularly grateful for:

Our Families: The parents who trust us with their children's growth and development. The students who show up ready to learn, create, and dream bigger. Your commitment fuels ours.

Our Partners: From schools to corporate sponsors, from volunteers to community organizations—you've amplified our impact in ways we couldn't achieve alone. Partnership is power, and you've shown us what's possible when we work together.

Our Team: Every person who coordinates events, mentors youth, designs programs, and keeps our mission moving forward—you are the heartbeat of this foundation.

The Year Behind Us

2025, has been a year of growth and evolution. We've expanded our entrepreneurship programs, launched new after-school initiatives, and created spaces where young people discover not just what they want to do, but who they want to become.

We've watched students who once struggled academically gain confidence and clarity. We've seen aspiring entrepreneurs turn ideas into action plans. We've witnessed community members find their voice and step into leadership.

But beyond the programs and events, what matters most is the shift in mindset we're cultivating. We're not just teaching skills—we're building belief. Belief that success is possible. Belief that your background doesn't determine your future. Belief that you have something valuable to contribute to this world.

Looking Ahead: Join Us at the Holiday Gala As we move into December, we're excited to gather our community for our annual Holiday Gala—a celebration of all we've accomplished together and a look toward the impact we'll create in 2026. This isn't just another fundraising event. It's a night to honor the resilience of our community, to connect with fellow change-makers, and to invest in the future we're building together.

Whether you've been with us from the beginning or you're just discovering the Kroussaw Foundation, there's a place for you at our table. Your presence, your support, and your voice matter.

The Power of Community

Here's what I know for certain: transformation doesn't happen in isolation. It happens when we show up for each other. When we invest in the person next to us. When we choose to believe that together, we can create something greater than any of us could build alone.

This season of gratitude reminds me why we do this work. It's not about accolades or recognition—it's about the moment a young person realizes they're capable of more than they imagined. It's about the parent who sees their child thriving in an after-school program. It's about the entrepreneur who finally takes that first step toward their dream.