There’s no shortage of commitment at Power Speaks Louder (PSL). The diverse nonprofit organization, which administers seven key programs and services to educate, empower, and transform the lives of youth in crisis, low-income families, and the homeless, heavily relies on its staff and community support to make a difference.
For CEO and Founder B. Hunter, overseeing PSL has become a passionate mission, and by the looks of it, the impact is being felt.
Recently, Sen. Sabrina Cervantes (District 31) named PSL the 2025 California Nonprofit of the Year.
“It’s one of the biggest recognitions that we’ve received,” Hunter said of the accolades. “It’s an extreme honor. As nonprofits, it’s really hard to get funding. So, to have the credibility of the senator of the state of California’s 31st District, it meant a lot, especially when you’ve started this in your bedroom.”
Hunter launched PSL in 2016 in the hopes of positively impacting underserved communities. Her approach stood out. She wanted to enhance social-emotional development by pairing it with need-specific resources.
What followed was a steady flow of motivational messaging, impressive outreach food distribution, health and wellness initiative, artistic installation experiences, creative arts, inspirational film, and collectible products.
Recent grants from Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) through the Community Impact Fund and the Youth Grantmakers Committee Fund-Riverside are further helping PSL expand its impact, specifically with its food distribution.
“It’s been a journey of highs and lows,” Hunter said of the nonprofit’s journey, overall. “In terms of food distribution, sometimes our suppliers that donate food experience shortages, and they don’t have a lot to give. As an organization, that’s really hard because we have a community waiting for us. There are people camping out as early as 3 a.m. at our distribution site and they have an expectation that we’re going to feed them.”
“The IECF grants were so helpful because we were able to fill those food gaps to reduce shortages and stabilize costs,” she added.
To that end, mark your calendars for Jan. 8, when PSL will host its next “Free Food Drive-Thru.” These events take place every second and fourth Thursday in the parking lot of Moreno Valley Mall parking lot by the Crunch Fitness entrance. Food boxes are offered to anyone in need on a first-come, first-serve basis.
“Power Speaks Louder wants to transform lives by the power of words and action,” Hunter said. “A lot of what we do is not only to meet the diverse needs of our community through lessening the gap of food disparities—or meeting the need through food distribution, health and wellness—but also to empower people.
“I think adversity doesn’t discriminate,” she added. “Our goal is always to just meet people where they’re at and to give them hope, not only give them the immediate need, but empower them for long -term solutions as well.”
She also encourages the community to watch PSL’s Still Standing documentary, an experience that she says evokes empathy for local neighbors, “because any of us can fall into hard times and services.”
Still Standing had its world premiere Aug. 12. It quickly turned heads and nabbed an Emmy Award for how well it challenged the stigma surrounding homelessness and amplifying the voices of the marginalized.
The doc also featured several stories of individuals who have impacted positively by PSL. It spotlighted available resources and celebrated the resilience of the communities, specifically in relation to post-pandemic recovery.
Hunter says Still Standing is not merely a title but “a testament to the enduring strength within our shared journey.”
For more information, visit powerspeakslouder.org.
This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, December, 2025.
Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy. Sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.
