What Is HopeBoard?
Helping students read and write in the dark.
HopeBoard is a portable chalkboard with an integrated solar-powered light that helps children keep learning during war, blackouts, and crisis.
No Wi-Fi.
No AI.
No internet.
Just sunlight to recharge.
Currently in pilot use in Dnipro, Ukraine.
Bring HopeBoard to Your Community
Our Partners
Explore the HopeBoard Gallery
Meet the Mind Behind HopeBoard
Tien Dinh
Tien Dinh is an Ed.M. candidate in International Education Policy & Management at Harvard University and an educator with over 12 years of experience advancing educational access for refugee and immigrant learners. Her work spans public schools, higher education, and nonprofit organizations, including leadership roles across colleges, law schools, and nursing programs.
She has founded a national tutoring initiative and contributed to policy advocacy efforts focused on educational equity. Her research and practice center on refugee education and the design of low-cost, scalable learning solutions for crisis and war contexts.
Meet Our Lead Engineer
Makayla Blackwell
Makayla Blackwell is pursuing a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Entrepreneurship at Southern Methodist University. Her passion for human-centered design and technology has enabled her to work on a variety of projects with companies such as Southwest Airlines, Zipline, and Tesla during her college career. These experiences have greatly influenced her approach to developing reliable systems that create a real-world impact.