In early August, 50 young innovators from across the United States were invited to Taco Bell’s headquarters in Irvine, Calif., for the Ambition Accelerator Summit. Hosted by the Taco Bell Foundation, in partnership with Ashoka, the immersive experience provided a platform for these young innovators to promote their groundbreaking social impact ideas and connect with other inspiring changemakers.
Over the course of several days, changemakers built their entrepreneurial skills by participating in workshops focused on storytelling, community building, networking, and more, culminating in a pitch competition where five finalists competed for the grand prize. This year’s top changemaker, Victoria Lamar, captivated the judges with her initiative, Securing Degrees, a national scholarship coaching platform that helps students alleviate the financial burden of higher education through personalized support, earning her the coveted $25,000 social impact grant.
Over the last six years, Victoria has dedicated herself to alleviating the financial burdens of higher education for students across the nation. By providing access to critical resources and guidance, she has empowered students from diverse backgrounds to pursue their academic dreams without the crushing weight of debt. Raised in a single-parent household that valued the significance of education, Victoria recognized early on the importance scholarships would have in helping fund her dreams. Despite facing over 30 rejections, her perseverance paid off, culminating in an impressive $3 million in scholarships and offers. She soon discovered her passion extended beyond aiding her own family; she wanted to extend that support to other deserving students and families as well.
Since 2018, Securing Degrees has assisted over 4,000 families in securing $20 million in scholarships, ensuring debt-free education. Students on the platform are provided access to experienced coaches who help students identify scholarships, craft compelling narratives, and meet application deadlines. 
“Participating in the Ambition Accelerator program has been a transformative experience,” Victoria shared. “The support and resources provided are empowering me to drive meaningful change and will allow me to take Securing Degrees to the next level. I’m excited to see the positive impact Securing Degrees can make with the help of the Taco Bell Foundation and Ashoka.”
With her unwavering commitment to education and community, Victoria is not only a changemaker, but an inspiration to young innovators everywhere. Her story powerfully illustrates that with perseverance and support, one can create a lasting impact that extends far beyond oneself.
The Ambition Accelerator is powered in partnership with changemaking organization, Ashoka, the world’s largest network of social entrepreneurs, and funded by Yum! Brand’s Unlocking Opportunity Initiative. See Terms & Conditions for complete program details.
The Taco Bell Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity. For more information visit www.tacobellfoundation.org