Young Entrepreneur and Full-Time Student Starts Company Benefitting Vulnerable Communities

We recently sat down with Lena Harris (21), co-founder of 195essential, a company dedicated to giving back to organizations that are doing essential work locally and globally. 195essential collaborates with artists to create t-shirts related to current events and human rights efforts. Proceeds from t-shirt sales are then donated to organizations that support those efforts, including Water for South Sudan. 

In 2020, when COVID-19 created mass uncertainty throughout the world, Harris was sent home from college and noticed the increased need for essential services, specifically healthcare workers. 

“Their lives—everyone’s life—was changing dramatically in such a short period of time.” 

Harris knew she wanted to help bring about change. Her father said she could donate her student dollars here and there or do something bigger. With the support of her father, she came up with the concept of selling themed t-shirts to raise money for those struggling throughout the pandemic and beyond. 

They started by selling t-shirts to support three types of essential workers: physicians, nurses, and teachers. Initial proceeds from sales were donated to Feeding Heroes, a charity that feeds hospital staff in the greater Boston area. Since their first t-shirt campaign, 195essential has launched shirts in support of Pride month, voting rights, BIPOC support, endangered species, and climate change. 

Harris took it a step further when she realized that the pandemic was affecting everyone, especially people who lack the necessary resources to stay healthy and afloat. “It’s hitting vulnerable communities hardest—low-income communities, people of color, women.” 

Harris thought, “What are the most essential things that we, as humans, need?” She came up with three essentials: food, water, and shelter. This led to the “Essential” collection, which consists of tees and sweatshirts all sporting the 195essential logo. Customers select the organization they want to support with their purchase relating to the three essential things vulnerable communities need to thrive. The Essential Collection sales support Water for South Sudan, Habitat for Humanity, and Food Finders, Inc. 

“We live in a more globalized world, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re more connected. We want to make people think about what’s meaningful to them and what’s meaningful to other people, and living your life with this idea of always giving back.” 

WFSS is so grateful to be recognized and supported by this growing company that puts giving back to vulnerable communities and essential workers at the forefront. To learn more and to shop for important causes, visit https://195essential.com/.