Khudayja Ward
Founder, We Build Foundation
Khudayja is the founder and executive director of the We Build Foundation, a community-driven non-profit organization based in Columbia, MD, dedicated to assisting Maryland’s underserved youth. Khudayja was inspired to start the foundation in 2020 after recognizing the need to expose more young people to the opportunities she had been provided.
“We Build” focuses on:
- Nurturing and building young minds
- Encouraging and building upon their intellectual curiosity
- Building character in our future leaders.
Khudayja’s mother, a dedicated tenant rights activist in New Jersey who later became a Chief of the Department of Public Advocate in New Jersey, and her stepfather, an attorney and law professor, have influenced her immensely as a child. Their pursuit of activism and justice instilled in her a sense of obligation and a desire to help others. Her passion for helping underserved youth extends beyond ‘We Build.’ She has volunteered at churches and various shelters in Brooklyn, New York. She currently works with young adults living in unstable housing, teaching them interviewing skills, assisting with resume building, and hosting events for children and their parents.
In addition to her work with ‘We Build,’ Khudayja has held various positions at Fortune 500 companies, including:
- Senior Consultant at Deloitte
- Management Consulting at Accentia
- Assistant Vice President at Merrill Lynch
- Senior Project Manager at Goldman Sachs
Education has been a cornerstone of Khudayja’s life experience. Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Organizational Psychology and a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology opened her eyes to the importance of providing young people with the necessary tools to succeed. As a Martin Luther King scholarship recipient, she wants to give others similar opportunities that she received. Through We Build, we offer scholarships so children can attend leadership, athletic, financial management, entrepreneurial, and self-development summer camps.
We Build aims to help marginalized children within our communities, especially those in transitional housing. Due to financial constraints, many children cannot participate in summer camps, extracurricular activities, and mentoring programs. We Build offers scholarships so kids can attend leadership, athletic, financial, entrepreneurial, and other self-development summer camps. Their objective is simple: to provide our youth with the opportunity to succeed.
Community service is Khudayja’s passion, not a duty. She has invested extensive time in juvenile programs and shelters, knowing personally that a second chance may change the trajectory of a child’s life. Khudayja believes everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their circumstances. Her focus is on empowering the individuals she helps. She proudly states, “Community outreach is not about me—it’s about empowering the people I am helping.” This philosophy is at the core of her approach. Recreational opportunities, mentorship, and education indeed play a crucial role in transforming lives, which drives her daily.
The We Build Foundation is more than just a provider of the necessary financial means; it is a bridge to a better future. We invite you to join us on this mission. Together, we can provide an opportunity, support, and hope for children to overcome the cycle of poverty and, most importantly, to thrive.