Today we’d like to introduce you to Winston Ashby.
Hi Winston, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
⭐ PARTI in Los Angeles County: A High-Energy Story of Creativity, Culture, and Youth Power
For more than 25 years, the PARTI Program—founded by Winston Ashby—has empowered young people through creativity, leadership development, fashion, culture, wellness, and violence prevention. Nowhere has PARTI’s impact been more electric, more collaborative, or more transformative than in Los Angeles County. To PARTI, Los Angeles is more than a service region; it is a stage, a runway, a classroom, a creative hub, and a launching pad for the next generation of youth leaders.
🎤 The Beginning of the Movement (2007)
PARTI’s journey into Los Angeles began at California State University Northridge (CSUN), where Winston met a dynamic student named Chantelle Jackson—now Chantelle Williams. In 2007, she became PARTI’s first Los Angeles student leader, bringing energy, creativity, and vision that opened doors across the county. Executive Director Ashby, was connected with amazing students and student groups from CSU Dominguez Hills, UCLA, and USC. During that same period, fashion designers Tyshel and Tysha Lockamy introduced PARTI to the region’s rising movers and shakers. Amazing local residents like, Latanza Price and Patrice Nadar served as event planners and connectors for PARTI’s bullying and violence prevention campaigns. Their leadership has been able to connect the organization to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity members in Los Angeles County (Ashby is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity), Jazmin Sisters, and singer/songwriter Eric Bellinger. Fruitful partnerships with Elani K., Keisa Sullivan, and membership in the Burbank Chamber of Commerce has been able to sustain our ability to have an impact in Los Angeles County.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Funding struggles, covid-19 has been the most challenging struggles.
The organization faces ongoing challenges in securing steady, unrestricted funding to sustain key activities like retaining staff and collecting data and feedback. At the same time, rising issues among California youth—such as high rates of bullying, depression, and violence—are driving demand for services beyond available resources. Like many non-profits, the PARTI Program also contends with administrative tasks, from data entry to grant writing and volunteer management, that take time away from growing high-impact programs. Additionally, they continue working to attract prominent figures and corporate sponsors to boost recognition, visibility, and branding for their mission.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The PARTI Program is a 25-year youth empowerment organization that uses creativity, culture, leadership development, and wellness to inspire young people to build safe, inclusive, and connected communities. We specialize in youth-led leadership development, bullying prevention, social-emotional learning, and arts-based engagement—using fashion, music, and art as powerful tools to help young people express themselves and discover their voice.
What sets PARTI apart is our ability to blend youth development with creative industry experiences. We don’t just teach leadership; we create platforms where youth lead, perform, design, create, advocate, and collaborate with schools, businesses, entertainers, and civic leaders. Through fashion shows, music performances, art showcases, and cultural events, we transform traditional programming into unforgettable, confidence-building experiences.
We had an amazing opportunity to start a partnership and collaboration with Merch4Peace to brand together messages to Los Angeles County and California residents. Merch4Peace is an online fashion and apparel store that sells clothing and merchandise to promote peace and non-violence. The brand is the brainchild of Bobby Hill, a two-time Congressional award-winning singer and humanitarian who designs the fashion line. The Merch 4 Peace initiative, established in 1990 in Los Angeles, CA, uses fashion and music to spread its message.
Brand-wise, we are most proud of elevating youth from marginalized communities and connecting them to opportunities that feel exciting, relevant, and life-changing. Our readers should know that PARTI offers leadership training, school programming, workforce readiness, mental wellness initiatives, creative arts and fashion events, and youth-led community service projects—supported by partnerships with NFTE, colleges, chambers, and entertainment and community leaders.
PARTI’s brand stands for creativity with purpose, culture with impact, and youth empowerment that inspires real change.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Key Aspects of his Background
Grassroots Origins: Ashby’s work began in 1999 when three African American high school students in San Jose approached him for help in organizing activities to address violence and promote inclusion in their community. What started as informal activities focused on music and an annual MLK Jr. Day celebration evolved into a formal organization.
Youth-Centered Approach: He has consistently used “nontraditional forms of leadership development” to inspire and mentor young adults, leveraging activities like fashion, talent shows, and civic engagement projects to provide a platform for youth voices. He operates on the principle that “someone did that for me” during his own youth, driving him to provide opportunities for others.
Violence Prevention Expertise: His organization’s core mission is to eliminate bullying and violence in schools and communities, a focus that grew out of a direct response to a need identified by students themselves and the later murder of a program alumnus.
For
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.partiprogram.com
- Instagram: @parti_program @exposurexperience
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepartiprogram/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parti-program
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@partiusa
