Every year Forbes magazine publishes its annual 30 Under 30 list, which identifies young leaders from 20 different industries who possess unique influence and leverage it for entrepreneurial or social growth. This year’s group of 600 incorporates the brightest young entrepreneurs, leaders and stars, including two of OSSM’s own: Whitley O’Connor and Caleb Lareau. 

A member of the Class of 2010, Whitley is the co-founder of Curbside Enterprises. He is listed on Forbes’ List of 30 Under 30 in the Social Impact category.  Having grown up in a low-income household, he is committed to helping others and launched the publication Curbside Chronicle as a college student at Vanderbilt. The Chronicle is partially written and completely sold by individuals experiencing homelessness, providing a source of income as well as a platform to educate the community. The organization has sold nearly 1 million magazines and helped upwards of 300 people move into affordable housing.  

“Although honors like this are awarded to individuals, I have been very fortunate to have the support of wonderful mentors, peers, and colleagues along the way, and the entire Curbside team deserves immense credit for their work building and implementing our employment, housing, and case management programs,” said Whitley.  

From OSSM Whitley attended Vanderbilt University where he earned a bachelor’s in Sociology and Human and Organization Development. He joined the Homeless Alliance in 2018 as a social enterprise strategist and co-founded the Curbside Chronicle with his now wife, Ranya Forgotson, in 2013. 

Caleb, a 2011 OSSM graduate, is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford, where he researches the molecular basis of cancer. He is also a scientific cofounder of Cartography Biosciences, a “stealth startup” developing precision immunotherapies for cancer. He is listed on Forbes’ prestigious list in the Science category. From OSSM, he went to the University of Tulsa, after which he went on to Harvard University for both his master’s and doctorate.