“Around 90% of Challenge Island’s franchisees are women (along with 100% of their corporate team), and they also have a significant number of Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ franchisees, with teachers receiving 10% off the franchise fee. The new Challenge Island book series, cowritten by CEO and founder Sharon Duke Estroff, features Black and Hispanic children as the main characters, and many of the company’s S.T.E.M. challenge themes are designed to celebrate diversity, particularly during Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month. “Everything we do is about instilling a sense of inclusion, appreciation, empathy, and compassion in children,” says Estroff. “Diversity is so much a part of Challenge Island that we don’t have to make concentrated efforts to achieve it. It is what we are, through and through.”
Entrepreneur Magazine September 2022
This recognition by Entrepreneur Magazine is among our proudest accomplishments. Not only are we in great company on this list (alongside Ben and Jerry’s and Yum! Brands (KFC, Taco Bell) to name a few) but an adorable photo of diverse Challenge Island kids at work is featured in the article . Read the article HERE.
