We had the good fortune of connecting with Shante Walker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shante, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think about risk being in nearly every decision I make. While building a non profit might appear as admirable or noble to some, there are many risks that are unforeseen and often unconsidered. I think about risk from an organization point of view down to all the way through my personal life in which they both often walk parallel.

Risk has played a positive role in my career and life, and even though these risks might be low compared to some, I’ve received good equitable returns, leaving little to no doubt that I would accomplish what I set out for. Realizing that there are risks in being an employee as well as a CEO ignited my journey, providing me a more realistic painting that I could sit around waiting for a boat to come and carry me across the big blue, or I could build one myself, so I did! Purpose taught me that I was meant to lead, that I had a message and a responsibility and that I owed it to myself to try.

For us, there are risks of not receiving enough donations, being underfunded, being understaffed, not retaining enough volunteers, our swiftly decreasing hours, and not enough community support, but so what? This comes with the territory, and personally I still don’t get enough sleep, but I love what I do. I love that I can help people, I love that I create programs that create change and I love that I get to do things my way, while giving others the same opportunity to do it there’s. Risk isn’t the enemy as many would have you think, but more so a reality check. You’ve gotta take risks to truly see what you’re made of, that is, if you don’t mind facing a few unattractive side profiles of your perfect picture.

What should our readers know about your business?
The Niles Foundation, founded in 2019 right in Culver City created to serve Los Angeles, was created to build equity and equality for all. Our focus is women, youth, education, and sustainable projects. We empower our citizens, especially those who are low-moderate income, underserved, underrepresented, and disadvantaged. We are nonprofit dedicated to the development, and growth of our local communities, through free education programs, sustainable projects, and hands-on community action. In addition , we are women, educators, artists and dedicated citizens.

We exist because I was tired of dysfunctional job management, leadership and burnout from working for someone else. We also saw that there was a huge gap between access and equity between cities, communities and neighborhoods and that while some were just cutting back on a bill or two, others were trying to really survive. No it wasn’t easy, I started this foundation with little to $500 dollars and the first few months into half a year, there were no grants, volunteers, or community support.

During covid we had a great pivot, and we began building urban micro farms and gardens for fresh food access and food security, for our youth, students, individuals and families so that they could have a space to grow fresh food free. We also began increasing our women’s empowerment programs creating: Her Story, Her Power a women’s virtual roundtable that highlights women in their expertise and field sharing their story, providing no judgement free advice, support and encouragement for all that would listen.

The Niles Foundation originally began with just one program our youth entrepreneurship program where we provided middle schoolers and high school financial literacy, leadership, self-advocacy and entrepreneurship hands-on learning and skill development and it’s continued to grow from there. Now we offer multiple programs and we’re still under two years. We’re proud that individuals can volunteer virtually or in-person, that families can grow food safely and affordably at one of our sites, and women can continue to get health, financial, business and other support from us and our partners and all are welcome! See us at https://www.thenilesfoundation.org and follow us on instagram at @tnflosangeles

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Favorite spots in LA, Sage Vegan bistro for the best buffalo cauliflowers wings (Culver City). USC Rose Garden for serenity and phenomenal instagram photos (Exposition and Vermont). The Niles Foundation rooftop garden for an intimate scene with yards of fresh vegetation over looking all of Los Angeles (tour must be requested) (Near USC). City Club LA Diversity Business Club for great eats, beautiful panoramic dining and meeting views (51st Floor) overlooking all of LA. The service is great, the food is amazing and the drinks are even better (must be a member or know one) downtown on 5th and Flower. The Huntington library, botanical gardena and museum (Pasadena). You’ll get everything here in one stop, food, serenity, art, drinks and more. You can go with family, friends or on a date.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Jakobi Ewart of EXP Reality, and my biggest supporter and partner of evert risk, decision, goal Thank you for believing in me. Penn State University, thank you for you offering a Master’s Degree in Psychology of Leadership and thank you accepting me to this very needed world. To my favorite and most inspiring book of all time, thank you “On becoming a leader” by Warren Bennis (USC ) that confirmed, supported and denied everything it should have about positive leadership, and inspiring me to be my best, thank you for writing this book and loving what you do. To my most encouraging and supportive friend Wshana Moss (Mossy), thank you for supporting and believing in my dreams.

Website: https://www.thenilesfoundation.org

Instagram: tnflosangeles

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenilesfoundation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenilesfoundation

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm3Kzwc3PlA&t=17s

Image Credits
The Niles Foundation, and Nauliatyce Thompson at Lensightproductions

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