Skip to content

Are you in a crisis? Call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741

¿Estás en una crisis? Llama o envía un mensaje de texto al 988 o envía un mensaje de texto con AYUDA al 741741

Donate Now

Leidos + AFSP: Collaborating to Create a Culture That's Smart About Mental Health

April 7, 2025 – 1 min read

The Leidos + DC101's One More Light team leading the 2024 Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Walk

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. The company has a deep legacy of engaging its employees and communities on important issues and has prioritized taking a leadership role addressing the various challenges surrounding mental health.

Since 2018, Leidos has worked with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s (AFSP) National Capital Area Chapter (NCAC) in support of our mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Over the years, their engagement with the AFSP has grown from its beginnings here in the D.C. Metro Area to an international level – with the AFSP providing programs and resources to Leidos employees worldwide.

DC101 + Leidos’ One More Light team leading the 2024 Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Community Walk
DC101 + Leidos’ One More Light team leading the 2024 Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Community Walk

In 2024, not only did they return as the Presenting Sponsor for all four of the NCAC’s Out of the Darkness Community Walks (Prince William, Loudoun, Fairfax, and Washington, D.C.) for its 6th year in a row, but Leidos continued to support the AFSP Out of the Darkness Community Walks on a national level by raising $224,000 in support of AFSP’s lifesaving work (and that doesn’t even include funds raised through their sponsorships of the San Diego and North Alabama Walks) and having eight Leidos teams participate in Walks across the country:

  • Albuquerque Walk
  • Baltimore Walk
  • Chicagoland Walk
  • Greater Kansas City Walk - KS & MO
  • North Alabama Walk
  • San Diego Walk
  • Ventura County Walk
  • Washington DC Walk
Leidos’ Director Corporate Responsibility Daniel Pellegrom speaking on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the 2024 Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Community Walk
Leidos’ Director Corporate Responsibility Daniel Pellegrom speaking on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the 2024 Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Community Walk

At the D.C. Walk, Leidos again partnered with iHeart Media’s DC101 to form the DC101 + Leidos’ One More Light team. They were joined by artists Brent Smith and Zach Myers of the multi-platinum rock band Shinedown, and together the DC101 + Leidos’ One More Light team raised $195,000+ for the DC Walk – securing their spot as the #1 Top-Fundraising Out of the Darkness Walk team in the country!!! With their tremendous support, the 17th annual D.C. Walk was the highest fundraising event in its history and the #5 Top-Fundraising Out of the Darkness Walk of 2024.

DC101 + Leidos’ One More Light Team at the 2024 Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Community Walk
DC101 + Leidos’ One More Light Team at the 2024 Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Community Walk

The NCAC is so grateful for Leidos and their outstanding support in the DMV and across the globe. We look forward to continuing our work together to save lives as their leadership and dedication to bringing suicide Out of the Darkness provides a shining beacon of hope to all!