The Common Ground Foundation

The Common Ground Foundation The Common Ground Foundation empowers youth from high potential communities to become future leaders.

CGF provides mentoring programs that encourage youth to find their purpose, achieve academic excellence, realize their dreams, and be the change they want to see in the world. OUR STORY:

Ten years ago, Academy-Award Winning Artist, Actor, and Author, COMMON, along with his mother, Dr. Mahalia Hines, decided they wanted to make a significant impact. More than just donating money, they wanted to ha

ve their hands in shaping our future leaders. What started in 2012, as taking 23 high school students on a five-day camping trip turned into a four-year high school mentoring program that has extended to college and beyond, now serving over 500 students. Together, they have built a family of mentors, instructors, parents, and volunteers that surround our youth with a village of love and support. Common Ground Foundation provides a holistic curriculum that encourages our youth to achieve academic excellence while inspiring them to realize their dreams & create an impact in the world. They come to us as dreamers but emerge as DREAMERS & BELIEVERS!

✨ Being FREE TO DREAM means believing that anything is possible.We’re back with Part 2 of our   series, featuring more o...
08/06/2026

✨ Being FREE TO DREAM means believing that anything is possible.

We’re back with Part 2 of our series, featuring more of our 2026 Cohort Alumni and their hopes, goals, and aspirations for the future.
After reading their dreams, we’d love to hear yours:
What’s your wildest dream? 💭✨

✨ Ten years ago, our first graduating cohort shared their answers to one powerful question: “What’s your wildest dream?”...
08/04/2026

✨ Ten years ago, our first graduating cohort shared their answers to one powerful question: “What’s your wildest dream?”

As we enter a new chapter, we’re bringing back this Dreamers & Believers tradition with our 2026 Cohort Alumni. Explore their aspirations and be inspired by what’s possible when you’re FREE TO DREAM. 💭✨

07/17/2026

As we continue celebrating the close of our 2025–2026 program year, here are the remaining thoughts and reflections from our graduating seniors. Thank you, Class of 2026, for allowing us to be part of your journey.

07/08/2026

As we close out our 2025-2026 program year, here are some final remarks from our Class of 2026. Enjoy.

  We’re still processing the magic of the Obama Presidential Center opening, and it has us feeling incredibly nostalgic....
06/22/2026



We’re still processing the magic of the Obama Presidential Center opening, and it has us feeling incredibly nostalgic. 🥹❤️
It takes us right back to this trip to DC in 2016, where our mentees got the surprise of a lifetime: a meeting with the President and First Lady. Moments like this remind us exactly why we do what we do. The spaces change, but the mission remains the same: empowering the leaders of tomorrow. 🌍✨

06/05/2026

Day 4 of 4: The grand finale! 🎬 Today we hit Ohio to visit the legendary neighbors across the street from each other: Central State University and Wilberforce University! 🏛️✨ 7 HBCUs and 4 states later, we’re wrapping up this epic trip hearing directly from our incredible mentees. There is absolutely nothing like this culture! ❤️🌍

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Chicago, IL

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