Today we’d like to introduce you to Cameo Reed.
Hi Cameo, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story is rooted in resilience, purpose, and a deep commitment to healing and service. I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, where I graduated from King School, Tubman Middle School, and Jefferson High School. I later earned my Bachelor’s degree in Social Science from Portland State University, which gave me a broader lens to understand systems, community, and the power of transformation.
Through personal trials—health struggles, heartbreak, and life shifts—I was forced to rebuild more than once. But each setback became a setup for purpose. I found strength in my pain and clarity in my calling: to use my story to uplift others, especially youth who feel unseen or unheard.
Along the way, Los Angeles became my second home. My connection to Crenshaw and South Central runs deep—it’s where much of my personal growth and spiritual development took place. I had the honor of running on Nipsey Hussle’s The Marathon Clothing Runners Team, completing two LA Marathons in his name. That experience—being part of a legacy rooted in community, ownership, and perseverance—forever changed me. The spirit of “The Marathon Continues” lives in everything I do.
Today, I’m a published author of several books including Pain Power Purpose, The Rebirth, and Laiyah the Ladybug, which I co-wrote with my daughter. I’m also the founder of Elate Youth Mentoring, a nonprofit serving youth ages 10–18 with mentorship, life skills, and wellness programming. Whether I’m organizing youth conferences, writing, or speaking, my mission remains the same: to inspire, guide, and remind others—especially young people—that they matter and their story is still being written.
Where I am today is a reflection of faith, community, and never giving up on myself—even when I had to start over. I didn’t get here alone, and I’m committed to making sure others don’t have to either.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not—it’s been anything but a smooth road. Like many, my journey has been filled with highs and lows, moments of clarity, and seasons of uncertainty. One of the most significant and recent changes in my life was going through a divorce after nearly 15 years of marriage. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make, but ultimately, it was necessary for my healing, growth, and the woman I’m becoming today.
That chapter taught me about boundaries, self-worth, and what it truly means to choose yourself—not from a place of selfishness, but from a place of self-love and purpose. It’s been painful, humbling, and freeing all at once. And honestly, this season of transition has brought a new kind of glow—a glow that comes from standing in truth, reclaiming my joy, and refusing to settle.
Beyond that, I’ve navigated financial challenges, health battles, and rebuilding my life from the ground up—more than once. But those struggles shaped the foundation of who I am and the work I do. I don’t just mentor from theory—I mentor from experience. My pain became my power, and now I use it to uplift others walking their own hard paths.
Growth is not easy, but it’s always worth it. And every obstacle I’ve overcome has pushed me closer to purpose, peace, and becoming the fullest version of myself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At my core, I’m a mentor, author, community leader, and healer. I specialize in creating safe, empowering spaces for youth and women to heal, grow, and step into their purpose. Through my nonprofit Elate Youth Mentoring, we provide mentorship, life skills development, wellness workshops, and community engagement programs for youth ages 10–18. Our work focuses on emotional wellness, personal growth, and breaking cycles—especially for Black youth navigating systems that often overlook them.
I’m also a published author of several transformational books, including Pain Power Purpose, The Rebirth, and Laiyah the Ladybug, a children’s book I co-wrote with my youngest daughter. Each book reflects a different layer of my own healing journey and is written to inspire others to rediscover their strength and voice.
What I’m most proud of is building a life and a movement rooted in authenticity. I don’t just talk about healing—I’ve lived it. From divorce and personal loss to reinvention and spiritual awakening, I bring real-life experience, transparency, and heart to everything I do.
What sets me apart is that I lead with both compassion and accountability. I’m not afraid to meet people where they are, but I also challenge them to rise. I blend street wisdom with academic insight, and my Portland roots and LA connections give me a unique cultural perspective that resonates with the people I serve.
Ultimately, my work is about legacy—planting seeds of hope, purpose, and power in the next generation, and showing others that no matter how broken your beginning may be, your ending can still be beautiful.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m in a season of expansion—personally, spiritually, and professionally. I’m looking forward to continuing to grow Elate Youth Mentoring, reaching more youth not just in Portland and Los Angeles but in other cities through school-based programs, retreats, and community partnerships. I’m also planning to host more transformational events and healing retreats, especially in Sedona, Arizona. There’s something sacred about that space—it aligns perfectly with the work I do around release, renewal, and purpose.
Travel is also a big part of my vision. I want to take my message global—through speaking, author tours, and collaborative work with other changemakers and organizations who are just as passionate about youth empowerment, healing, and generational transformation.
Eventually, I plan to settle in California—preferably Manhattan Beach. LA has always felt like a second home to me, and I envision continuing my work there while creating a peaceful space where I can both live and lead from a place of balance and alignment. It’s not just about the move—it’s about creating a lifestyle that matches the freedom, peace, and purpose I’ve fought to reclaim.
Whether it’s publishing more books, launching wellness products, or building centers for youth and families, the vision is clear: to build legacy, cultivate healing spaces, and continue walking in divine alignment.
The future feels bright—and I’m ready for it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elateyouth.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameo.reed/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cameo.r
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameo-reed-24214a1a2/
- Other: https://www.cameoreed.com
