Meet Shakinah Fulton | CEO/ Founder

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

Hi Shakinah, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The idea for Shakinah’s Glory Homes really grew out of my own lived experience. I became a mother at 16, and while being a teenager is already hard enough, adding motherhood on top of that was overwhelming in ways I didn’t expect. I didn’t have many answers, I didn’t always know what to do, and navigating school, identity, and responsibility at the same time took a real toll on my mental health. As I got older, I realized that so many teen moms are going through that same mix of confusion, shame, and silence — trying to figure out life while carrying more pressure than most adults. Because I had walked that path myself, I knew I could offer something different: empathy, guidance, and a safe space to learn how to thrive rather than just survive.
Starting the organization was my way of saying to young mothers, “You’re not alone, and this isn’t the end of your story.” I wanted to build a place where teen moms could be encouraged, resourced, and supported through every part of their journey — emotionally, academically, and financially. My goal is to help them see their future as still full of possibility, not defined by a single moment.
In short, the thought process behind the organization was simple: if I could turn my own struggle into someone else’s support system, then something beautiful could come from what was once painful. That’s what motivates every part of this work.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Before I stepped fully into founding Shakinah’s Glory Homes, I spent nearly 20 years working as a paraprofessional/paraeducator working with children with special needs. Those two decades in education shaped so much of who I am and how I see young people — their needs, their challenges, their brilliance, and the gaps in support that too often go unnoticed. Working directly with students every day taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of meeting individuals exactly where they are. It also showed me how powerful it can be when a young person has just one adult rooting for them, guiding them, and believing in their potential. That experience naturally carried over into my work with teen mothers. I saw firsthand how many young people were navigating adult responsibilities long before they were emotionally or structurally supported to do so. I recognized the same loneliness and pressure I once felt as a teen mom, which made the transition into founding Shakinah’s Glory Homes feel not just natural, but necessary.
Today, as the founder and CEO of Shakinah’s Glory Homes, my work is centered on creating a safe, empowering, and resource-rich space for teen moms — a place I wish I had at 16. Our organization helps young mothers navigate everything from education and childcare resources to mental health support and long-term planning. I’m passionate about helping them build a foundation that leads to stability, confidence, and generational change. Whether it’s connecting them to programs like Crystal Stairs, encouraging them to return to school or pursue a trade, or simply reminding them that they are not alone, my goal is to walk alongside them through their journey.
Stepping into this work full-time has been one of the most fulfilling decisions I’ve ever made. My career in education prepared me to uplift young people; Shakinah’s Glory Homes allows me to uplift young mothers specifically — helping them rewrite their stories with pride, strength, and possibility at the center.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When I think about the best places to check out, I automatically think about the spots that bring me joy, comfort, or a good meal — because I’m definitely a food-lover at heart. One of my absolute favorite places is Hilltop Café in Inglewood. It’s my go-to spot, and honestly, anybody visiting me is getting taken there at least once. I always order my almond turmeric ginger latte, avocado toast with hot honey on the side, a fried hard egg on top, and some tater tots. That’s my whole vibe right there. Another place that’s a must is Caló Kitchen + Tequila in El Segundo Ca, my favorite Mexican restaurant. Their black bean dip with chips? Elite. It’s one of those places where you sit down, take a bite, and immediately feel like you’re exactly where you should be.
Church is also a big part of my life — that’s non-negotiable. If someone’s with me for the week, they’re coming with me to the 7 a.m. service. We’re in and out early, and then, of course, we hit Hilltop afterward. It’s the perfect start to the day.
And even though I’m not a beach person, I absolutely love going to the movies — especially at theaters like IPIC Theaters where you can recline, get a blanket, and really relax. I always joke that I’ll probably fall asleep, but honestly, that’s half the experience for me. It’s one of the few places where I can fully unwind.
And listen… we’re getting our eyebrows and nails done before the week is over. That’s mandatory. Pampering and self-care are part of the fun for me — it’s the little things that make you feel good.
For me, the best places aren’t about being flashy; they’re about comfort, connection, good food, and small moments of joy. Those are the places that really make Los Angeles special in my eyes.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to give the biggest, most heartfelt shoutout to my mother Mrs. Sheila Fulton Arnold , because she is truly the backbone of my entire journey. When I became a mom at 16 — overwhelmed, unsure, exhausted, and trying to quiet a crying baby I didn’t yet know how to soothe — she was the one who stepped in with calm, steady hands and a heart big enough to hold both me and my newborn. There were moments when I felt like I was drowning, moments where I didn’t know what to do next or how to keep going. But my mom never once let me feel like I was failing. She would say, “Bring her to me,” giving me just enough space to breathe, think, and pull myself back from the edge. That kind of support is something you never forget — the kind that doesn’t just ease the moment, but teaches you how to stand on your own later.
What means even more to me now is how she held me accountable. At the time, it felt harsh when she wouldn’t babysit so I could go out with friends. But looking back, that boundary saved me from falling into patterns that could have made my journey even harder. She reminded me — lovingly but firmly — that this is your child, and she supported me without ever taking over. That balance of love and accountability shaped me into the woman, mother, and leader I am today.
And through everything, she bragged on me. Even when I doubted myself, she never doubted me. She spoke life into me, reminded me of who I was becoming, and celebrated my victories even when I couldn’t see them yet.
My mother didn’t just help me raise my daughter — she helped raise me. Her strength, her guidance, and her unwavering belief in me are woven into every part of Shakinah’s Glory Homes. The resilience I try to pour into other young mothers is the same resilience she poured into me.
So this shoutout is really a thank-you:
Thank you, Mom, for being my anchor, my encouragement, my teacher, and my safe place. Everything I’m building today carries your fingerprints.

Website: http://www.shakinahsgloryhomes.org/

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