406: What Social Impact Leaders Know About Capital That Founders Don’t | Asha Walker &, Valencia Gunder

In this episode, Felecia Hatcher welcomes Asha Walker (Health In The Hood) and Valencia Gunder (The Smile Trust), who break down what it really means to build community, create impact, and redefine wealth from the ground up. From urban farming to feeding the unhoused, from climate justice to access to technology, these founders share how they turned lived experiences into scalable solutions that nourish communities physically, emotionally, and economically.

They unpack the difference between charity and compassion, the reality of building in the nonprofit and social impact space, and what it takes to sustain purpose-driven work even when resources are limited. This conversation is a must-watch for founders, leaders, and changemakers who are ready to build beyond profit, serve with intention, and create impact that truly lasts.

KEY POINTS - Real wealth includes health, community, trust, and people power - The strongest solutions come from communities themselves - There is a critical difference between charity and true compassion - Social impact work still requires strong business models to survive - Purpose-driven founders often face burnout while trying to serve others - Building systems creates a lasting impact, not one-time solutions - Identity and purpose evolve as founders grow and expand their work - Serving others can unlock opportunities, resources, and long-term sustainability QUOTABLES “Service is our natural state.” – Asha Walker “I’m going to be a leader and not a boss.” – Valencia Gunder “When I think about wealth, I think about people power first.” – Valencia Gunder RESOURCES Asha Walker - Health In The Hood IG | @healthinthehood Valencia Gunder - The Smile Trust IG | @thesmiletrust @valenciagunder Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media