Impact
Why Giving Back Is Important.
Though I am now a successful CEO, I grew up poor with often not enough money for food. The family solution was to make a potato soup meant to last the week. Something my mother said to me about those times has stuck with me and guided my entire life:
“Dwayne, no matter what you do, don’t ever forget where you came from and that you had to eat potato soup every day for a week. When you have employees, be there for them, and they will always be there for you.” I never forgot. Today, I support more than 70 local and global charities and have founded four of my own including: The Potato Soup Foundation, The Queen Bee Café, The D1 Foundation, and the Clark Family Foundation.
The Potato Soup Foundation
The Potato Soup Foundation is a not-for-profit organization serving the needs of Áegis Living line staff and their families during times of crisis. The Foundation has helped people with emergency medical treatment, emergency housing, funeral expenses and a variety of other crisis situations.
Queen Bee Café
The Seattle-based café and crumpet shop has three locations: Capitol Hill, Queen Anne and Clyde Hill. One hundred percent of profits are donated to local charities, with past donations supporting the YMCA, The Boys & Girls Clubs, and the Gay Seattle Business Association Scholarship Fund. The newest cafe is currently donating proceeds to Bellevue LifeSpring, which is helping Bellevue children and their families for over 100 years.
Foundations I Encourage You to Learn More About.
