Updates

Empowering Communities and Inspiring Change: The Wing 2 Wing Foundation’s 2024 Highlights

Driven by a shared commitment to fostering opportunity and innovation, the Wing 2 Wing Foundation approached 2024 with a dynamic blend of impactful initiatives, community-building events, and forward-thinking programs. Co-founded by Brad D. Smith and his wife, Alys, the foundation continued to empower underserved communities, elevate local economies, and champion education and entrepreneurship throughout Appalachia and beyond.

Women Warriors Summit 2024: Forging Pathways for Empowered and Purposeful Living

On October 18, 2024, the Women Warriors Summit (WWS) returned to Huntington, West Virginia, gathering women from across Appalachia to ignite inspiration, share experiences, and build the tools needed to create purposeful, fulfilling lives. Led by Wing 2 Wing Co-Founder and First Lady of Marshall University, Alys Smith, this year’s event embraced the theme of “the power of productivity.” This focus on productivity, designed to encourage women to seize control of their daily lives and prioritize meaningful pursuits, marked an evolution from the summit’s inaugural year.

Ascend WV Members to Receive $12K Towards Purchasing a Primary Residence in the Mountain State

Ascend West Virginia (Ascend WV), a leading program dedicated to attracting and retaining talent in the state, has announced an exciting new Homeownership Incentive for its members. This initiative offers a $12,000 check to those who purchase a home as their primary residence in West Virginia. The incentive is set to boost the state’s economy and encourage Ascend participants to make long-term commitments by settling in the Mountain State.

Celebrating the First Ascent in the Mountain State

Inspired by the Ascend WV Program, a remote work initiative made possible by the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative (OEDC), the state’s Department of Tourism, and the Wing 2 Wing Foundation, First Ascent is designed to give current students and recent graduates from Marshall and West Virginia University (WVU) the tools they need to build a thriving career in West Virginia

New Beginnings Create Lasting Bonds: How Ascend WV Sparked Business Growth & Community in West Virginia

This unique program—which encourages talented professionals to relocate and build their lives in West Virginia—has not only led to personal transformations but also to the creation of new businesses and events that truly showcase the state’s vibrant, thriving communities and its tenacious spirit of inclusivity.

West Virginia Native Emily Calandrelli’s Ascent Into Space

Emily Calandrelli’s journey into space is a testament to her unwavering dedication to women in STEM and her deep-rooted connection to her home state of West Virginia. A fierce champion for accessible education, Emily has experienced the transformative power of the right support firsthand.

Wing 2 Wing and DonorsChoose Are Transforming West Virginia Classrooms

The Wing 2 Wing Foundation has teamed up with DonorsChoose — a groundbreaking platform that connects donors to classrooms in need — to address the critical shortage of educational resources in underfunded areas across the state.

The Today Show Features Ascend WV’s Efforts to Bring Remote Workers to the Mountain State

The Wing 2 Wing Foundation is proud to support Ascend West Virginia, an innovative initiative designed to invigorate rural communities throughout the Mountain State by attracting remote workers with a $12,000 relocation bonus, comprehensive outdoor recreation packages, and access to modern co-working spaces.

Wing 2 Wing Donates $1,000,000 to Operation HOPE

The Wing 2 Wing Foundation recently partnered with the Operation HOPE Organization to improve economic opportunities and financial literacy across marginalized communities. Wing 2 Wing contributed $1,000,000 towards Operation HOPE’s 1865 Project, which aims to help close the racial wealth gap across the United States.

Looking Back at the Wing 2 Wing Foundation’s 2023 Accomplishments

The Wing 2 Wing Foundation has worked to create equal opportunities in Appalachia since its establishment in 2019. Now in its fourth year of work, Wing 2 Wing has continued to find new ways to uplift the people of West Virginia and bolster the state’s continued development.