WellWithAll CEO Demond Martin ’97 announced on Thursday, April 18, his company’s investment of $100,000 to expand mental health resources for UNC Charlotte students. The announcement came as part of Martin’s visit to campus for a fireside chat on mental wellness, resilience and overall well-being.
Martin, who co-founded WellWithAll, a purpose-led health and wellness consumer products brand that directs a significant portion of its profits into health equity for Black, Brown and underserved communities, appeared alongside Jay Williams, ESPN host and chairman and co-founder of Improbable Media, to share their experiences and discuss the skills they have developed to overcome setbacks and life lessons as well as the ways they have reimagined their journeys to pursue their purpose.
“I have been inspired by my conversations with students and the challenges and opportunities they face in today’s world. We realize we can do more for students in need at UNC Charlotte, a place that changed my life,” said Martin. “While we can’t do everything, we can do something. Supporting students in their mental health aligns perfectly with the mission of WellWithAll. Our company is dedicated to making a difference in our communities, and this is just a first step in that for Charlotte.”
WellWithAll’s investment will further enhance the services currently offered to students.
“WellWithAll’s support will provide a tremendous boost to ensuring our students have access to the resources they need,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “ We are dedicated to a proactive, whole-campus approach to serving the well-being of our students and their success in and out of the classroom. We are grateful to Demond and his team for valuing that approach.”
Ardent supporters of UNC Charlotte, Demond and his wife, Kia Martin ’98, established the UNC Charlotte Martin Scholars Program, a leading merit scholar and professional development opportunity for high-achieving students who have the highest level of financial need. In 2016, Martin joined with Karen Popp ’80 to make a gift to the University, and the student union was officially named the Karen A. Popp and Demond T. Martin Student Union.
Prior to founding WellWithAll, Martin was a senior partner at Adage Capital Management where he invested in the consumer sector for 22 years. He joined Adage after completing an MBA from Harvard Business School and earning an undergraduate degree in accounting from UNC Charlotte. He subsequently worked as the assistant to President William J. Clinton’s White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles. Demond Martin has served on a number of nonprofit boards, including as a trustee for the Berklee College of Music, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Grammy Global Venture Board and the Obama Foundation.