An Institution Built for This Moment
Started in 2017 as the Global Development Initiative. Now operating across three continents. Solving the problems the 4th Industrial Revolution creates and the ones it inherited.
How We Got Here
IHA started in 2017 as the Global Development Initiative — a small organization with a big conviction: that the most important problems facing humanity are interconnected, and solving them requires an institution willing to work across all of them simultaneously. After years of building programs, partnerships, and infrastructure, GDI rebranded as the Institute for Human Advancement to reflect the scope and ambition of what it had become.
Most organizations choose one lane. They are either research institutions or service providers. Either funders or operators. They work domestically or internationally. They serve individuals or systems. IHA rejects these false choices.
Today, IHA operates across six program verticals — AI education, workforce development, leadership formation, venture studios, healthcare innovation, and research — with active partnerships on three continents and a growing portfolio of programs, publications, and enterprises.
Global Development Initiative Founded
Launched as a small organization with a big conviction: that the most important problems facing humanity are interconnected — and solving them requires working across all of them simultaneously.
First Programs Deployed
Workforce development and community programs launched. Partnerships formed across healthcare, education, and economic development.
Rebrand to Institute for Human Advancement
GDI became IHA — reflecting the scope and ambition of what the organization had become. AI Academy launched. DeepFutures Capital formed.
Kenya 2026 Delegation
First multi-sector international deployment. Three cities, five coalition partners, four service tracks. The model goes global.
Build leaders. Build enterprises. Build systems.
The mission of the Institute for Human Advancement
Seven Verticals. One Institution.
IHA operates across seven program verticals — each reinforcing the others, creating a compounding institutional model.
AI & Education
Healthcare Innovation
Workforce Development
Leadership Formation
Venture Studios
Global Delegations
Research & Publications
Three Entities. One Mission.
Each entity serves a distinct function. Together, they form a self-reinforcing institutional ecosystem.
Institute for Human Advancement
Research, program design, thought leadership, and direct programming. Produces the knowledge and operates the programs that drive the ecosystem.
Uplift Communities
Workforce development and direct service for underserved populations. Flagship: government-funded healthcare workforce program in partnership with NYC DYCD.
DeepFutures Capital
Targeting $50M. Deploys capital to scale healthcare ventures, technology companies, and enterprises in underserved and emerging markets.
The “Perpetual Engine” is the unifying model: Perpetual Core’s commercial AI infrastructure dedicates 10% of every revenue dollar to community programs — ensuring the engine that generates value also sustains impact.
“Most organizations choose one lane. IHA rejects that premise. The problems are connected — so the institution that solves them must be too.”
The People Behind IHA
Lorenzo A. Daughtry-Chambers
Architect of the IHA model — building institutional infrastructure for human advancement across healthcare, AI education, workforce development, and economic empowerment across three continents.
Achumboro Ataande, Esq.
Attorney, investor, and business strategist leading enterprise development and cross-border partnerships.
Dr. Michele Y. Griffith
Physician and public health leader directing healthcare initiatives and global health strategy.
Sharon Daughtry
Civic leader with a network of 600+ community groups powering grassroots development.
Dr. Steve Silber
Senior New York City healthcare leader with 30+ years directing large hospital systems, opening doors across academic medicine, provider partnerships, and impact-aligned capital.
By the Numbers
9+
Years Operating
Founded 2017 as GDI
3
Continents Active
US, Africa, Caribbean
7
Program Verticals
Education, healthcare, workforce, leadership, ventures, delegations, research
5
Coalition Partners
Kenya 2026 deployment
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Partner With Us
Whether you're an investor, institution, government, or individual — there's a way to work with IHA.