Working for Good

Jermaine Whiteside's professional journey is a narrative of passion, dedication, and a deep-rooted commitment to community empowerment through education. His business career began with a vision to significantly impact the lives of low-income students, a vision he shared with his colleague, John Lewis.

Founding The Universal Educational Foundation

In his early twenties, while studying as a senior at the University of South Carolina at Columbia, Jermaine and Lewis identified a critical gap in support for low-income students aspiring to pursue higher education. To address this, they established The Universal Educational Foundation (UEF), a non-profit organization that provides scholarships and counseling to these students. As the CEO of UEF, Jermaine was driven by his personal experiences and the lack of encouragement he perceived in his community, particularly among those who could benefit from positive role models and educational opportunities.

Mission and Focus

The foundation was born from the idea that strengthening lower-income neighborhoods through education could lead to transformative community changes. It aimed to focus on families earning 50 percent or less of the median income in their communities, offering them support and guidance to navigate the path to college education.

Expanding His Impact

This early endeavor laid the groundwork for Jermaine's continued involvement in initiatives aimed at community betterment through education and technology. His subsequent roles include:

• Founder and Leader of the Palmetto Leadership Institute since 2008, focusing on leadership development and integrating technology in education.

• Founder of Anointed Connect Church Inc. in 2014, where he combines spiritual guidance with community outreach.

• CEO of E-Vision Project Development Corporation, a firm specializing in technology project management and network video surveillance, since 2008.

• President of EWTECHNERD LLC, a business startup training and coaching platform, since 2019.

Legacy and Ongoing Work

Jermaine's professional path is marked by his unwavering commitment to using education for empowerment and societal upliftment. From his early days at UEF to his current leadership roles, he has focused on creating opportunities, fostering growth, and strengthening communities. This journey, deeply intertwined with his academic pursuits, showcases Jermaine's dedication to making a lasting, positive impact on society through education, technology, and leadership.