A Wharton student co-founded a nonprofit with the goal of deconstructing racial, cultural, and religious barriers through discussion-based educational programs, writes Nina Rawal for The Daily Pennsylvanian.

Philly Unity Project was established by Tsion Bezabih and Larry Kaplan, her former high school teacher and University of Pennsylvania alumnus.

The nonprofit aims to provide young students with free, educational service projects and travel opportunities to foster empathy and inclusivity.

Bezabih came up with the idea while writing a college essay during her senior year in high school. She wrote about wanting to create a nonprofit to help support orphanages in Ethiopia. 

Deeply moved by her essay, Kaplan decided to help her turn that vision into a reality.

With help from its inaugural initiative, the Global Youth Collaborative, they were able to explore global perspectives through educational seminars on diverse nations and lay the groundwork for the organization.

The goal over the next six to 12 months is to secure the requisite funding to sustain its operations. It will further engage with Philadelphia high school students in forming student cohorts to hold conversations on topics such as identity, ethnicity, and religion.

“As a working student, I feel I have really learned what it takes to be a leader and lead a nonprofit as a cofounder,” Bezabih said.

Read more about Philly Unity Project at The Daily Pennsylvanian.

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