GoTu and BrownGirl, RDH Empower Future Dental Hygienist with Transformative Scholarship
Shakeya Hargrove, a resident of Fort Pierce, Florida, is the recipient of a $23,000 academic scholarship aimed at advancing diversity and excellence in dentistry
MIAMI (November 29, 2023) – GoTu (formerly TempMee), a pioneering digital staffing marketplace revolutionizing the dental industry, in partnership with BrownGirl, RDH, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting diversity in dental hygiene, announce that Shakeya Hargrove of Fort Pierce, Florida is the recipient of the organization’s joint scholarship. The $23,000 scholarship will cover two years of tuition expenses for Hargrove as she pursues an Associate of Science degree in Dental Hygiene at Concorde Career Institute in Orlando.
GoTu and BrownGirl, RDH launched this program to provide financial support to a deserving dental hygiene student and encourage more diversity within the field. Minorities make up a mere 4% of the field of dental hygiene, according to recent statistics.
“We are thrilled to partner with BrownGirl, RDH to present this scholarship to such a deserving individual,” said GoTu co-founder and co-CEO, Cary Gahm. “Shakeya’s passion for the dental field is an inspiration to us, and to other aspiring professionals with diverse backgrounds, and we are honored to be a part of her journey.”
Martelle Coke, Chief Executive Officer of BrownGirl, RDH, added, “This scholarship represents our commitment to fostering diversity and excellence within the dental profession. Hargrove’s journey is a testament to the power of hard work and passion within the industry, and we look forward to seeing her continue to excel in her studies and professional practice.”
Hargrove, 27, currently works as a Dental Assistant at the Department of Health in Port St. Lucie, and has dreamt of becoming a dental hygienist as long as she can remember. She was enrolled in the Concorde Career Institute’s registered dental hygienist program and was preparing to start in September 2023, but financial complications nearly forced her to withdraw as she was unable to pay the balance of her tuition. The scholarship was awarded on the last possible day to keep a seat in the program. Now, Hargrove is fully enrolled and expects to graduate in February 2025.
“Words cannot describe how grateful I am for this opportunity,” said Hargrove. “Because of GoTu and BrownGirl, RDH, I can focus on my studies and being a great mother to my son as I pursue my dreams of becoming a dental hygienist.”
About GoTu
GoTu (formerly TempMee) is a pioneering, technology-driven workforce solution and skill-sharing marketplace serving the dental industry. The platform allows dental offices to contract directly with registered dental hygienists, dental assistants, and associate dentists to fill both short-term and permanent positions. Launched in 2019 as a response to the growing staffing crisis in the dental industry, the platform has connected more than 20,000 dental offices with over 32,000 dental professionals. Founders and childhood friends Cary Gahm and Edward Thomas, in collaboration with Debra Simmons, RDH, have grown the Miami-based business from a bootstrapped startup to an institutional, investor-backed powerhouse with 150+ dedicated team members. For more information, visit https://joingotu.com/.
About BrownGirl, RDH
Our mission is to shift the mindset about who can work in the dental hygiene field, remove cultural and economic barriers to joining the dental hygiene workforce, establish while promoting pathways to dental hygiene careers. We serve as an advocate for Minority Registered Dental Hygienists (RDH) and students, working for a healthier and more diverse climate. Each year BrownGirl, RDH provides mentoring and scholarships to minority dental hygiene students in need to help cover the unexpected costs of dental hygiene school.
