Community Impact Lab: Economic Empowerment for Women and Their Families

“Gender inequality is not only a pressing moral and social issue but also a critical economic challenge. If women—who account for half the world’s working-age population—do not achieve their full economic potential, the global economy will suffer.”

McKinsey Global Institute, Sept. 2015

Community Impact Lab, a San Leandro non-profit founded by San Leandro resident Xouhoa Bowen, operates with the unique conviction that economic empowerment for women requires the support of families:

Our Vision
We envision a world where women and their abilities are valued, where work and life can be integrated, and where families act as a force for positive social change.

Our Mission
We believe that by empowering families and removing obstacles we enable everyone–especially mothers– to live, give, and grow to their fullest potentials.

In its first year, Community Impact Lab has hosted an impressive 48 events, helped 581 families, and recruited over 450 program participants. This accomplishment is due to small donations, crowd-sourcing, and an amazing team of dedicated volunteers. Community Impact Lab plans to boost its impact during this coming year and has been working on creating new community partners to continue to empower women through entrepreneurship, work with vulnerable populations, activate the community to both learn and teach new skills, and create more opportunities for families to volunteer together.

Community Impact Lab is committed to empower women and mobilize families to act as a force for social good through professional development, volunteerism, knowledge-sharing, and community-building initiatives. Community Impact Lab also is working to create a world where women and their abilities are valued, where work and life can be integrated, and where families act as a force for positive social change.

Community Impact Lab’s work is laying the foundation for a women’s entrepreneurship incubator, one that will be uniquely designed to redefine what it means for a woman to integrate work, family and life as an entrepreneur.  Under the leadership of Community Impact Lab Founder Xouhoa Bowen and GenLead/BelongLab Founder Neha Sampat, the San Leandro Women’s Entrepreneurs group meets regularly to explore, connect and provide support for their professional and personal aspirations.

Celebrating Truth Is Beauty – Family Art Event March 4, 2017 at Casa Peralta