Founded in September 2025, The GenOne Project was created to expand opportunity for first-generation students and professionals navigating educational, economic, and career barriers. Inspired by founder Shalonda Spencer’s experience as a first-generation college student, the organization was built on a simple belief: talent and ambition should not be limited by a lack of access, resources, networks, or guidance.
The GenOne Project bridges those gaps through education, professional development, mentorship, advocacy, community-building, and workforce opportunities that help first-generation individuals navigate critical transitions and thrive.
Shalonda's journey inspired the organization, but The GenOne Project exists for every student who has ever wondered whether they belong, every family learning to navigate higher education for the first time, and every professional building a career without an inherited roadmap.
We are building the community, resources, and pathways we wish every first-generation student had from the beginning, so that being first becomes the foundation for generations of opportunity that follow. At its core, The GenOne Project is about ensuring that being first is not the end of the story; it’s also the start of a legacy that creates opportunity for generations to come.
We are committed to dismantling systemic barriers for first-generation students and professionals. Our mission is to expand access to educational and workforce development opportunities while championing policies that promote economic and social responsibility.
We believe in building a sustainable organization where first-generation students can grow beyond academic success. Our vision is to foster a community where legacies are built and to inspire transformative change across generations.
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