In April, Shawna Young was named chief executive officer of Camelback Ventures, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase access to opportunities for entrepreneurs of color and women by investing in their ventures and leadership while advocating for fairness in their funding.
“I’m profoundly excited about continuing (founder) Aaron Walker’s vision to drive a more equitable entrepreneurship ecosystem,” said Young. “I am particularly eager to champion Camelback’s unique approach, which emphasizes holistic support, seed funding, mentorship and community building. These pillars not only empower women and entrepreneurs of color but also cultivate a vibrant ecosystem for their ideas and organizations to flourish.”
Young has dedicated her career to empowering individuals and driving social change as a social impact entrepreneur and leader. While serving leadership roles with Ada Developers Academy, Scratch Foundation, Duke University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Young built a passion for supporting others and creating systemic change.
In 2020, she co-founded Onyx Black Wealth Collective, a nonprofit organization whose mission is focused on helping people build wealth through community discussions on financial planning, home ownership, investments and estate planning.
Part of the organization’s efforts to create a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem and offer diverse founders the support and resources they need to thrive is hosting the annual Guardian Summit in New Orleans. This year’s two-day conference was held May 8-9 at the New Orleans Jazz Market and Virgin Hotels New Orleans. In addition to networking events — which included hosted dinners around the city — attendees delved into topics including “Leveraging VR to Amplify BIPOC Stories” and “Building Transformational Schools.”
Young said she sees a bright future ahead.
“With our dedicated team, partners and the incredible community of entrepreneurs we serve, I am confident we can build a future where everyone has the opportunity to innovate and succeed.”
