Here's The Buzz

On October 18-19, 2023, Newport artist Valorie Sheehan and Universal Promise Executive Director Martha T. Cummings appeared on WJAR’s Studio 10 and were featured in a Boston Globe (Rhode Island) article to promote Sheehan’s collection: An Alphabet of Saints (and Other Tough Chicks). Sheehan generously opted to donate all $13,000 of the proceeds from the sale of the 26 ceramic, enshrined saints to Universal Promise, which led both media outlets to explore this combination of creativity, perseverance, and altruism. Click WJAR’s Studio 10 to watch the clip, and click Boston Globe to read the article.

On September 7, 2023, Universal Promise was featured as the Business of the Week on 1540 WADK Newport. Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Erin Donovan-Boyle, and 1540 WADK personality Bruce Newbury interviewed Executive Director Martha T. Cummings about our efforts in South Africa and gala on November 18, 2023. We are so grateful to the Chamber of Commerce for the support and the publicity.

On July 4, 2023, Herald Live, a Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth, South Africa-based newspaper, did a beautiful story on the new water system we installed at Moses Mabida Senior Secondary School. We are honored to have played a pivotal role in ending the tainted water source at the high school and replacing it with clean, drinkable water. We are also grateful for the publicity, as we hope it will inspire others to get involved.

On April 10, 2023, the Gaudet Learning Academy (Middletown, RI, USA) and St. Ignatius Primary School (Addo, South Africa) penpal program took center stage thanks to reporter Matt Sheley, who published an article in the Middletown News You Can Use online site. The program is already having a profound impact on children on two continents. “It’s been a lot of fun,” Jayzon said. “Here I am in Rhode Island in the United States of America and I’m making friends with someone on the other side of the world in South Africa. That’s pretty cool, if you think about it.” It is pretty cool, and we’re grateful to everyone who had a hand in launching it and to Matt Sheley for sharing the uplifting project with the community.

On November 7, 2022, Martha T. Cummings, Executive Director, was interviewed (video clip here) by Rhode Island’s much beloved Mario Hilario on Providence’s WJAR Channel 10. Founder and Executive Director Martha T. Cummings was invited to introduce Universal Promise to WJAR’s extensive audience.

In 3.5 minutes, Martha honed in to showcase and discuss our founding, our singular focus on education, our Top 10 Wish List approach, and details about our November 18, 2022, fundraiser.

Being on TV was an amazing experience, and we are so grateful to Mario and Kassi for bringing this to fruition for us and for helping us bring our message to a broader audience! Thank you!

On April 27, 2022, Martha T. Cummings, Executive Director, appeared on a Fireside Chat with DonorSee to share her thoughts about Universal Promise’s fundraising success on the DS platform. Martha was the first guest on DonorSee’s new series, and she was honored to represent Universal Promise and to discuss the steps she has taken and the challenges she has overcome to raise more than $30,000 in one year on the site. Click here to view the webinar.

The January/February 2022 issue of Newport Life Magazine featured Universal Promise in “the red carpet” section. We’re grateful to Fred Albert for showcasing Universal Promise and for spreading the word across Aquidneck Island about our mission to achieve and sustain equity via education.

One first-time fundraiser attendee said, “I am so incredibly impressed with what Universal Promise has accomplished over its short tenure, and I am astounded that I had not heard the extent of your achievements until recently. We have to get the word out.” Newport Life Magazine listened, and we’re grateful.

In October 2021, we were featured in the Newport Neighbors and Portsmouth Living October issues to honor our 10-year anniversary and spread the word of our Birthday Bash fundraiser on November 12th; many thanks to Tanja Lynch, Editor, for her patience as we sorted through the nuances of the article and for her confidence in inviting us to tell our story.

In October/November 2020, Rhode Island Monthly’s freelance writer Annie Sherman did a feature (left) on Martha T. Cummings, the founder and executive director of Universal Promise. We are grateful that Ms. Sherman brought the news of Universal Promise to the entire state and that she so skillfully captured the essence of our work: a singular focus on education, a devotion to finding underserved, underachieving schools and inviting local experts to set the agenda in Top 10 increments, mutual ownership and pride, and a commitment to moving along once a school’s independence is secure. Thank you, Rhode Island Monthly and Ms. Sherman, for your support.

A Portsmouth woman is creating change in an African village. Education has been the key. The Newport Daily News, August 2019

Nonprofit founded by Martha Cummings ‘80 promotes education in South African town, Bryn Mawr College, August 2019

US teacher delivers on promise at Addo school, The Port Elizabeth Herald, March 2018

Southborough native establishes charity in Africa, Wicked Local Southborough, December 2016

Keeping Her Promise, The Newport Daily News, September 2016

Moved to Help, The Providence Journal, August 2015

Portsmouth Abbey student’s idea to build classroom in South Africa realized, The Providence Journal, July 2015

US schoolgirl helps to upgrade Addo school, Port Elizabeth Herald, June 2015

Township birthday bash for US guest, Port Elizabeth Herald, February 2014

US philanthropist continues upgrade of East Cape School, Port Elizabeth Herald, March 2013

Original education reaching across the globe, Purnell School Post, Fall 2013

A promise is a promise, Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin, November 2012

Power to the people, Newport Daily News, September 2012

Power lesson from US pupil and teacher, Port Elizabeth Herald, August 2012

If you are interested in covering Universal Promise's work, please contact us.