World

Bringing clean water – Christopher Kenny’s Preservation Earth Project

Published

2 years ago

January 22, 2023

Science plainly shows that a human can survive three weeks without food, yet most individuals cannot survive three to four days without water! Dehydration sets in, and the person will go into shock and become vegetative even if they continue to breathe. In other words, water is an essential requirement. A living thing cannot thrive without it. Nonetheless, it is a horrifying truth that billions of people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water.

In developed countries, when everything from technology to luxury is available, receiving clean water at home is as ‘natural’ as breathing fresh air. Most individuals in advanced nations may not pay much attention to it, but this is not the case for the rest of the globe. Many countries continue to lack access to clean water sources or water appropriate for human use. Safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene at home should not be limited to the wealthy or those who live in cities. These are some of the most fundamental human health requirements, and all countries must ensure everyone has access to them.

The Preservation Earth Project (PEP) made its way to Tsaile, New Mexico. Over time, uranium mining, fracking, and pesticide abuse damaged the water supply, resulting in a high occurrence of numerous illnesses. Approximately 35% of the Navajo people do not have access to flowing water, and some must go to a remote location to fill barrels with water from a polluted local spring.

There is no doubt that climate change is boosting storm strength. Recent natural catastrophes have heightened the need for groups to step up and give support, answers, and relief to individuals affected by such natural disasters. The Preservation Earth Project is a non-profit organization that provides support, education, and solutions to help society transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

A look back at Christoper Kenny’s life

Chris Kenny was born in Summit, New Jersey, on May 4, 1961. He was one of twelve children. In 1980, he received a B.A. in economics and finance from Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, North Carolina. He also attended New York University, earning a commercial real estate management degree from the Schack Institute. Since 2018, he has served as the head of Strategy and E-trading at Hartfield, Titus, and Donnelly. Kenny started his career in the U.S. In 1985. He worked as a Treasury Bond Broker. He formerly worked at Bonds.com as the director of fixed income sales and technological development. His academic background is in business and finance. Chris is passionate about developing and promoting renewable energy, mainly when it is used to assist people in need. The potential to aid those in urgent demand as a result of a human-caused environmental or natural disaster is not just a philanthropic act but also a once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity.

He used solar power on mobile platforms as a backup power source for emergencies, water purification, and water pumping.

His academic credentials are in business and finance. Chris is passionate about developing and promoting renewable energy, mainly when it is used to assist people in need. The potential to aid those in urgent need as a result of a human-caused environmental or natural disaster is not just a philanthropic act but also a once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity. He has over 38 years of experience in finance as a salesperson, broker, trader, and investor.

Making clean water available to everyone

In 2012, Kenny founded The Preservation Earth Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It provides assistance, education, and alternative energy solutions to help society shift to renewable energy. It was involved and aided Haiti several times after the 2010 earthquake, providing portable solar electricity for water purification and medical facilities. In 2020, the business devised a solution for the Navajos’ contaminated water source. They collaborated with engineers and local officials to build, produce, and install a solar-powered water filtration system for the Navajo people of Tsaile, New Mexico. Other activities have included providing portable solar power to the “Cajun Navy” for rescue and clean-up in areas devastated by the 2015-2021 hurricane season in Louisiana.

The project designed, delivered, and installed a solar-powered filtration system that will provide clean drinking water to the local Navajo community 365 days a year for many years to come. Several more initiatives are in the works to provide safe drinking water to Native American communities on the Navajo Reservation.

President’s letters of gratitude

President Jimmy Carter sent Chris two heartfelt letters encouraging him to continue his charitable work. He suggested calling Habitat for Humanity and asking if they were interested in collaborating on a few projects. He and Kenny both helped out at the charity.

World

Empowering Minority Women to Pursue Leadership in Business and Law

Published

1 week ago

June 3, 2025

Jenny Jackson

There is a familiar saying that a “rising tide lifts all boats,” and there are professionals among us who truly take that concept to heart. Attorney Leah Wise is one of them. From an early age, Wise knew that whatever she wanted to do in life as a career, helping people had to be a primary motivation.

On her way up as founder of the first Latina-owned law firm in South Texas dedicated 100% to personal injury law, Wise acknowledges that she stood on the shoulders of some great mentors. Now, she is paying it forward through a series of initiatives and programs dedicated to helping minority women pursue their dreams.

A love for law and justice

While working for a state senator prior to law school, Wise developed a deep love for making a difference in people’s lives. “I learned that one person can truly have an impact on the world,” she recalls. This lesson led her to pursue law as a career, and she soon found herself in the position of a trailblazer as a woman and a Latina.

Unlike most young upstart lawyers who battle it out for positions at established firms after law school, Wise knew she wanted to set out on her own immediately. She started her own personal injury firm right out of law school and got to work making a name for herself in the Texas law community, an act of rebellion that flew in the face of norms within the law field and stood as a testament to the Wise’s resilience. It’s an approach Wise hopes to help other minority women embrace — go after what you want, no matter what stands in your way.

Giving back

Wise has not stopped wanting to help others since the days of working in the senator’s office. She has made a point to make philanthropy a significant part of her brand, focusing on building the confidence and careers of minority women, especially Latinas.

Wise created a non-profit organization called the Wise Women Foundation to address all of the ways she wanted to empower and inspire women seeking careers, especially those looking to make their mark in male-centered fields like Wise. The Wise Women Foundation helps empower minority women through education, mentorships, and resources that can often be scarce in minority communities.

“The foundation is about offering women options,” says Wise. Through the various resources provided by the Wise Women Foundation, women can better reach their full potential and overcome obstacles that are often placed in the way of minority women.

Part of Wise’s main focus through the Wise Women Foundation is helping women start their own businesses — as she did — especially within the legal industry. A serial entrepreneur herself, Wise knows the value of steering one’s own ship.

Wise has other beneficial initiatives as well, including the Leah Wise Latina Student Hardship Fund at her alma mater, St. Mary’s University School of Law, which offers $50,000 to the law school to aid Latina law students. She also hosts a CrashGal Mentorship Group for aspiring Latina lawyers and has raised funds for Teach for America, the Family Crisis Center of the Rio Grande Valley, and toward distributing tampons and pads in low-income schools in the Rio Grande Valley.

Using social connection to inspire others

Since starting her law firm, Wise has known the value of social media. As one of Texas’s first personal injury lawyers to truly take advantage of social media marketing, she knows how powerful social connections can be. As the co-founder of the social media segment “Latina Feature Friday” and the host of “Coffee With CrashGal,” Wise highlights minority-owned businesses and gives advice in a relatable and authentic way.

“The business world is so competitive,” Wise shares. “Everything I do is in an attempt to lift people up and encourage them.”

Changing the business landscape

Through every philanthropic project Wise takes on, Wise is helping change the business landscape for minority women. She has shown the value of being a multifaceted entrepreneur not only through her philanthropic works and her law firm but also through her other ventures, such as CrashGal Couture and her real estate business.

Recently, Wise purchased a building to house her empire — and made a statement about the strength and resilience of women in the process. The building was a former strip club, and Wise is dedicated to turning it into a safe space for building dreams, serving clients who are going through difficult moments, and empowering minority women in business.

Wise knows that with a helping hand, minority women can do extraordinary things — in business and in life. Whether it’s helping her clients get justice during a personal injury case or helping disadvantaged college students access money toward a law degree, Wise is making an indelible mark on her community.