Founded in September 2025, The GenOne Project was established to expand educational opportunities for first-generation students and professionals who face educational, economic, and career barriers. Inspired by founder Shalonda Spencer’s experiences as a first-generation college student, the organization is built on a fundamental belief: talent and ambition should not be constrained by a lack of access, resources, networks, or guidance.
The GenOne Project bridges these 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 questioned their belonging, every family learning to navigate higher education for the first time, and every professional building a career without an inherited roadmap.
We are creating the community, resources, and pathways that we wish every first-generation student had from the start, ensuring that being first becomes a foundation for generations of opportunities that follow. At its core, The GenOne Project is about ensuring that being first is not the end of the narrative; it’s also the beginning of a legacy that fosters opportunities 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 that provides educational opportunities for first-generation students, allowing them to grow beyond academic success. Our vision is to foster a community where legacies are built and to inspire transformative change across generations through professional development.
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