Gloria Umanah is the Founder & CEO of mental health nonprofit, Hope Booth. Through a challenging upbringing, she overcame homelessness, depression, and suicide. Gloria believes she is still alive today because of one four-letter word: hope. With an extensive background in technology and psychology, Gloria is on a mission to leverage her life for the good of others.

“The most iconic inventions weren’t created to celebrate the inventor—they were designed to serve others. Innovation has always been about disrupting the status quo for the greater good, shaping culture, and improving lives for generations.”

What will the Stanley Creators Fund make possible for Hope Booth?

With the Stanley Creators Fund grant, we will be able to build, install, and maintain three new Hope Booths as permanent mental health resources on or near school campuses affected by communal gun violence. These installations will provide 24/7 mental and emotional support, free of charge, to students, faculty, staff, and community members in both English and Spanish.

Stanley Creators Fund celebrates the Creators, Builders, and Inventors among us. What does it mean to you to be a Creator, Builder, and Inventor?

To be a Creator, Builder, and Inventor is not only to envision a world of endless possibilities, but to roll up your sleeves and bring those possibilities to life. I reflect on this often: creativity is the spark of new ideas, while innovation is the process of transforming those ideas into tangible outcomes. In other words, innovation is the action that breathes life into creativity.

What drives you? Or, said differently, what’s your “why?”

I often say this, but it’s true: I didn’t choose to become a mental health advocate – life made one out of me. I nearly lost my life to suicide on October 29, 2011. But I survived, and it was at that moment that I discovered the transformative power of hope. That hope ignited a passion within me to fight for those who feel invisible and to inspire others to seek purpose beyond their circumstances.

What about Stanley 1913 makes you excited for this grant and partnership?

These partnerships can catalyze meaningful shifts that propel our missions forward. We admire Stanley 1913’s dedication to innovation and its support for creators tackling complex problems in unconventional ways. Hope Booth aligns perfectly with that mission.

“When opportunities like the Stanley Creators Fund arise, we recognize the potential for transformative impact. I’m thrilled to partner with an organization that not only understands the importance of innovation, but also deeply cares about the communities it serves.”