Building A Brighter Future: WGI Celebrates Its Fifth Anniversary

NEW YORK (April 11th, 2019) - WGI Worldwide Inc., an international organization that is educating people around the world to stop illiteracy, today celebrates its fifth anniversary. WGI was founded five years ago on this day by Chance Wilson, a then 14 year old eighth grader in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Wilson founded WGI after noticing the scale of illiteracy in his own community. He was stunned at the time to see classmates in his own school being unable to read and write. This shocking revelation, and the social impact it caused, galvanized Wilson to take action. He decided to start his own organization and marshal the manpower and resources to end illiteracy. This organization, a local Baton Rouge based effort called the Wilson Global Initiative, was legally incorporated on April 10th, 2014. WGI was born.

Over these last five years, WGI has grown from one 14 year old in Baton Rouge to an international organization with activities in seven cities in six countries. From supporting school children in Los Angeles, to domestic workers in Singapore, WGI has directly impacted the lives of thousands of people around the world.

“It’s amazing to see WGI turn five years old. I never would have imagined, half a decade later, we would be at this point,” commented Chance Wilson, WGI’s Chairman & Chief Executive Officer. “This is a proud moment for all of us on the WGI team. We are committed to building a brighter future, and I’m honored to be leading that effort.”

“WGI continues to inspire with Chance’s dedication to press forward working to help people despite any odds,” added Paul Dietzel, WGI’s Vice Chairman. “As a Board Director, the growth over the past 5 years has been exciting to watch.”

WGI, based in Baton Rouge for the first four years of its history, relocated its headquarters to New York City in December. WGI continues to be led by Wilson, its Board of Directors, and its Global Leadership Team. WGI is also supported by its International Council, an advisory body of business leaders from around the world.