Our Story
About MakeHERspace
MakeHERspace Story
Founder Story Draft for Grants, Sponsors & Public Speaking
My name is Dr. Chantell McDowell, founder of MakeHERspace Inc., a nonprofit organization created from a deeply personal vision: to build the kind of space I knew so many women and young people needed, but often could not access. Like many aspiring entrepreneurs and community leaders, I saw firsthand how talent, creativity, and ambition are often limited by lack of opportunity, mentorship, resources, and support. I recognized that many women, especially women from underserved communities, had powerful ideas, leadership potential, and entrepreneurial dreams but lacked safe spaces to grow, learn, collaborate, and build.
At the same time, I saw youth in our communities struggling with limited access to workforce development opportunities, financial literacy, entrepreneurship education, and positive mentorship. Too many young people are never exposed to environments that help them believe their ideas matter
or that ownership, innovation, and leadership are truly possible for them.
MakeHERspace was created to change that narrative.
This organization was born from a passion for empowerment, community development, entrepreneurship, and legacy building. I envisioned MakeHERspace as more than a nonprofit, I envisioned it as a movement and a transformative hub where women and youth can access the tools, confidence, mentorship, and opportunities needed to create sustainable futures.
As founder, I understand both the challenges and resilience that exist within underserved communities. Building MakeHERspace Inc. has required determination, sacrifice, vision, and faith in the possibility of creating something larger than myself, something that can leave a lasting impact across Charlotte and beyond.
The goal is not simply to offer programs, but to cultivate an ecosystem of support that encourages:
Entrepreneurship
Workforce readiness
Leadership development
Financial literacy
Innovation
Collaboration
Today, MakeHERspace Inc. is working toward establishing a dedicated innovation and empowerment hub in Charlotte where women and youth can gather to learn, create, collaborate, and grow into leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.
Every workshop, mentorship opportunity, and partnership brings us closer to building pathways toward economic mobility, entrepreneurship, and generational empowerment.
MakeHERspace Inc. exists because I believe every person deserves access to opportunity, guidance, and a community that believes in their potential.
This mission is deeply personal to me, and I am committed to building a space where others can discover their own power, purpose, and future.
MakeHERspace was created to change that narrative.
This organization was born from a passion for empowerment, community development, entrepreneurship, and legacy building. I envisioned MakeHERspace as more than a nonprofit, I envisioned it as a movement and a transformative hub where women and youth can access the tools, confidence, mentorship, and opportunities needed to create sustainable futures.
Our Mission
Why We Do This
MakeHERspace Inc. empowers girls and young women to become confident innovators, creators, entrepreneurs, and technology leaders by providing equitable access to STEM education, digital fabrication, emerging technologies, mentorship, and hands-on innovation experiences that inspire lifelong learning, economic opportunity, and community impact.
Our Vision
We envision a future where every girl, regardless of background, zip code, or socioeconomic status, has the opportunity, resources, and support to lead in technology, engineering, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
The Problem
Why MakeHERspace Exists
Gender Gap
Women remain drastically underrepresented in STEM fields, despite making up over half the population.
Racial Gap
Girls and women of color face compounded barriers — both gender and race — in accessing tech education and careers.
Economic Opportunity
STEM careers offer some of the highest-paying, most stable futures — but access remains unequal.
Workforce Readiness
We prepare girls for the jobs of tomorrow with real skills, real tools, and real mentors.
Educational Equity
Every girl deserves a quality tech education, regardless of her zip code or school resources.
What We Stand For
Our Core Values
Where We're Headed
Our Impact Goals
Join The Movement
Every Dollar Creates Opportunity.
Every Partnership Builds Futures.
Every Girl Deserves Space To Create, Lead, And Innovate.