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MAY 2022

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The LOHM Founder & CEO Topeka K. Sam

Receives Google’s Inaugural Social Impact Award

Google launched its first-ever Social Impact Award and showcased its long-standing commitment to supporting underrepresented small business owners by highlighting local women-owned companies in NYC. The Social Impact Award was presented to Topeka K. Sam for the impact she's made as the Founder and CEO of The Ladies of Hope Ministries (The LOHM). As a former director at Dream Corps Justice, and a Google.org grantee, where she led the Dignity for Incarcerated Women campaign, Topeka became a trusted advisor to Google’s ongoing criminal justice reform efforts, which led to the company prohibiting bail bond ads on its platforms. Along with the award, Google is also providing Sam with a $100,000 grant, which will be used to compensate her employees, in addition to combating homelessness in Trinidad.

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Topeka K. Sam

On May 5, 2022, seven years after Topeka's release from prison, she was honored with Google’s inaugural Social Impact Award, for her efforts toward ending the poverty and incarceration of women and girls worldwide.

“Google has been an incredible support and partner of the work of The LOHM, but really me and my leadership, so to get this award from them is just incredible,” Sam says. “I’m hopeful that we’ll get more people like Google to recognize and provide these platforms, so other people can learn the work that we’re doing and want to invest their time, talent, and treasure.” - Topeka K. Sam.

“I would like to thank Malika Saada Saar, Maab Ibrahim, Tia McLaurin, and all of my Google sisters for seeing me, elevating me, and investing in me. I value you!” - Topeka K. Sam

Watch Topeka's Speech

"This award is for every presently incarcerated and justice-impacted woman and girl. With man things are impossible, but with God, all things are possible."

Watch Now!

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