HealthSpark Annual Grantee Convening

On Wednesday, September 9, 2025, HealthSpark Foundation convened its grantees for the Annual Grantee Meeting in Colmar, Pennsylvania. Dr. Bernadine Ahonkhai, C4J Founder & CEO, attended the event with Mohana Padgaonkar, C4J Steering Committee member, Tola Aiyegbuisi, C4J Steering Committee member and YouthBuild Social Justice Leadership Education Instructor, and Ashna Mitta, C4J Intern.

L – R: Carol Austin, Executive Director, FirstUP, Dr. Bernadine Ahonkhai, C4J Founder & CEO, Kristyn Di’Dominic, Executive Director, BuckMont Collaborative, Jackie, FirstUP, and Tola Aiyegbuisi, C4J Steering Committee Member

The focus of this collaborative event was the power of organization’s storytelling as a tool for advocacy and impacting transformative changes, bolstering community connection, community engagement, and working together to address critical community issues. It was also an opportunity to meet old and new community nonprofit organization members, engage, and get to know each other and the valuable work our organizations are doing in Montgomery County despite the current challenges and backlash against social justice and racial equity initiatives.

Ashna Mitta with Emma Hertz, HealthSpark Foundation CEO

HealthSpark Foundation CEO, Emma Hertz, discussed major challenges facing the County and how best to collaborate to address pressing issues like housing insecurity, advocacy, and community empowerment, and outlined ways the Foundation can best support nonprofits.

Ashna Mitta with Kristyn Di’Dominico, CEO – Bucks-Mont Collaborative

Submitted by:

Dr. Bernadine Ahonkhai

Author/C4J Founder & CEO