The birth of DOPE INC stems from a racist event that transpired in 2009 while Chaquanzha Stephenson (CEO & Founder) attended the University of New Hampshire. She was verbally assaulted and vowed to educate her oppressor(s). Hence the acronym Don’t Oppress People, Educate! With premise, DOPE INC has developed, maintained, and publicly supported an organizational position opposing all forms of racism and discrimination. We believe that racism and discrimination are harmful and unjust, and we are committed to creating a more equitable/ inclusive world for all.
We have done this by:

Developing a code of conduct that prohibits racism and discrimination. This code of conduct applies to all staff, volunteers, and partners. With a special focus on unconscious bias.
Speaking out against racism and discrimination. We use our platform to speak out against racism and discrimination, and to call for change. We have worked with students in the past who have put together protests to be heard when they felt voiceless. Learn about the protest here.
- We helped one of those students with a discriminatory event that happen at Staples High School in Westport , CT. Learn about that unfortunate event here.
Supporting organizations that are working to combat racism and discrimination. We donate to organizations that are working to make a difference, and we collaborate with them on projects.

We believe that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. We are committed to creating a more equitable world for all, and we will continue to work to oppose racism and discrimination in all its forms.
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Martin Luther King, Jr.