In the bustling heart of Harlem, two visionaries, Kareem “Doc” Louallen and Vernon “Donveto” Boisseau, embarked on a transformative journey. Driven by their passion for storytelling and community empowerment, they created The Beat 139, a podcast that quickly became more than just a platform—it became a movement. With Doc’s gift for captivating narratives and Donveto’s expertise in connecting people, they crafted a space where diverse voices could be heard, ideas could clash, and inspiration could flourish.
The success of The Beat 139 podcast, which reached hundreds of thousands of listeners across radio and the internet, highlighted a profound truth: the power of shared stories and collective support can drive real change. Doc and Donveto saw an opportunity to take their mission further, to not just talk about empowerment, but to actively create it. Thus, The Beat 139 Foundation was born.
The Foundation’s mission is clear and powerful: to empower and uplift communities by providing the support, resources, and opportunities necessary for growth and success. Their vision is ambitious yet attainable—a world where everyone has the tools and support they need to achieve their dreams, fostering strong, resilient communities united by shared success.
MISSION
To empower and uplift our community by providing support, resources, and opportunities through innovative programs and initiatives, fostering growth and success for all.
VISION
To create a world where every individual has the tools and support they need to achieve their dreams, building strong, resilient communities united by shared success and well-being.
Resilience
We know that adversity can build us up instead of tearing us down. And the strength and wisdom that are borne out of struggle are only possible through caring and healing, empowering each other, and finding moments to celebrate our successes — large and small — even in our most challenging moments.
Community and Teamwork
We value the transformative impact of collaboration. By working together, fostering open communication, furthering understanding, and building caring and supportive environments, we can achieve something bigger than we could alone.
Empowerment
We believe that empowerment is a necessary requirement to create positive, lasting societal change. Living the value of empowerment fosters trust and confidence in each other.
Empathy
We strive to recognize and understand the perspectives, feelings and lived experiences of others, including and especially those most different from ourselves, and give one another grace.
Respect
We root ourselves in our shared humanity and treat each other with kindness and compassion. We’re at our best when we honor the equal dignity and worth of all people — even in the face of conflict.
Collaboration
Working together with staff, volunteers, and external partners enables us to create and achieve our goals. People helping people is the core of our foundation and we know that supporting each other is how we will continue to support our communities.