Alexis Dotson,
Founder & CEO
Alexis Dotson is the Founder and CEO of Ujima, Inc., an organization dedicated to empowering under-represented students through educational scholarship. With a strong background in nonprofit management and a passion for social equity, she has successfully led numerous initiatives that have transformed the lives of countless young individuals. Her visionary leadership and commitment to fostering educational opportunities have made her a prominent figure in the community.
The Founder's Message
The Year 2024 is now in full swing and Ujima has made great strides over the past 14 years. Our biggest news is, last year, Ujima made the largest scholarship award ever. Thanks to our generous community of supporters, the Guillermo J. Valenzuela Foundation, and the San Gabriel Valley YWCA (SGVYWCA), our 2023 Ujima Scholars received a total of $48,000. Since 2013, our Ujima Scholars have received a total of $125,200. That being said, we often question if Ujima, Inc. is still considered a grassroots organization.
To date, Ujima has 51 Ujima Scholars who specialize in Pediatrics, Pharmacy, Addiction Medicine, Dentistry, Physical Therapy, Cardiology, Orthopedic Surgery, Psychiatry, Urology, Gynecology, Podiatric Medicine, Family Practice Medicine, Optometry, Orthopedic Medicine, General Practice Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine. Ujima, Inc. continues to support the African American medical students at Western University of Health Sciences, in Pomona, UCR School of Medicine, California University of Health Sciences in Colton and the pharmacy students at Keck Graduate School in Claremont.
As our funding increases, Ujima will increase the number of medical schools it supports. Our ultimate goal is to establish an endowment fund, which will enable Ujima, Inc. to fund African American medical students across the country, who are committed to work toward health equity when they enter their practice. All Ujima scholars receive a Ujima Scholar lapel pin, which they are to wear on their white coat throughout their career, as a symbol of their commitment to health equity.
This is Ujima’s year of gratitude. We not only survived COVID, Ujima thrived through this difficult period in America’s history. Ujima, Inc. began as a vision with 8 concerned ladies from the community. Our advisor, Mr. Pink Underwood Riverside, helped Ujima secure its 501 (c), (3) status and guided those 8 ladies to the establishment of Ujima, Inc. in 2010. Without Mr. Underwood and these energetic, curious, naïve, yet committed ladies to the cause of health equity, Ujima would have remained a silent call to action.
As we were working toward non-profit status, Mr. Underwood said clearly to these 8 ladies, to run Ujima as if it were a million-dollar outfit and when it becomes one, we will not have to change anything. Ujima is committed to professionalism, and integrity with a singular focus of eliminating health disparities. Our current Board members are multi-talented, resourceful, generous, and community centered, just as our founding Board members were. As founder and CEO, I can clearly say, our success is due solely to the many Board members, over the years, who understood success comes from “The Collective Work and Shared Responsibility of the Village."
​Our sincere thanks go to two capacity building organizations. The Academy for Grassroots Organizations (AcademyGo) and the Inland Empire Community Collaborative (IECC) continue to support our growing organization. We genuinely appreciate the commitment of Pastor La Quetta Bush Simmons of Immanuel Praise Fellowship Church in Rancho Cucamonga, who continues to support “Ask the Doctor”, our community health education outreach. We look forward to establishing collaborations with other churches, clubs, organizations, sororities and fraternities. Ujima, Inc. understands that impact is increased through collaboration and stands ready to build a meaningful collaboration.
Ujima, Inc. is exceedingly grateful to our Legacy Sponsors, who raise or donate $1,000 to the Ujima Scholarship Fund. These individuals continue to be the backbone of our fundraising effort. And finally, Ujima is proud to announce that The Guillermo J. Valenzuela Foundation has made a generous three-year commitment to the Ujima Scholarship Fund. Such support validates Ujima, Inc. as an organization, it validates our mission, and it validates our ability to remain true to that mission.
We continue to seek tax-deductible donations from community members and other funders who see the benefit in our goal of health equity for all African Americans. If you decide to join our charge, we invite you make a donation and visit the Get Involved page today. Finally, Ujima is constantly recruiting individuals who have the time, the interest and the passion for community service. You may serve as a Board member, an Honorary Board member or as a Volunteer. Board members are expected to attend monthly Board meetings and serve on a committee. Honorary Board members are individuals who support our mission but cannot attend monthly meetings. They willingly share their resources, and their access to resources, gifts, and talents, free of a monthly meeting requirement. Volunteers engage in time-limited tasks, again, without the obligation of monthly meeting attendance. Any interested parties may send their inquiry to ujimascholarshipfundsocal@gmail.com.
With the continued confidence, allegiance and support of the community and the support of funders, Ujima can look forward to steady movement toward health equity for all African Americans.
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Respectfully,
Alexis Dotson
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Ujima, Inc.
Founder and CEO