During the peak of the pandemic, most people began a new hobby or adopted a pet. UNC junior Devon Triplett took a different route and founded a non-profit: Bridging the Gap.
BTG is a national 501 (c)(3) that launched in January 2021. The organization's website says the group is committed to increasing representation in the business community and providing students with unprecedented economic opportunities. Triplett said he hopes BTG can change the business community by identifying, cultivating and connecting future BIPOC business leaders.
Triplett said he was just a first-year at UNC when he created the vision for the company from the comfort of his childhood bedroom. With the help of his “underdog” mentality from being a first-generation student, he was set on making an impact in the community.
"For me, it was just coming to college and wanting so desperately some of these opportunities and willing to work hard to make it happen,” he said.
Triplett admitted that he faced some challenges and doubts along the way. His love for helping people and consulting, which he said was instilled in him by his grandparents, gave him endurance.
He said his grandfather was a lawyer who represented underprivileged individuals and, therefore, didn’t make much money. But, just like Triplett, he mainly cared about helping others.
When Triplett was in high school, two of his cousins died due to opioid addiction. This, he said, moved him to create and lead a summit to help reduce the stigma of addiction. This summit was the first of his leadership ventures.
The summit was a success and was even featured on multiple news outlets, such as ABC13 and Blue Ridge Public Radio.
“I'd seen the work that I was able to do in high school,” Triplett said. “And I think that's where I was able to get over the limiting beliefs.”
