Today we’d like to introduce you to Ava Walker.
Ava, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I originally moved to LA to be a screenwriter. The vision of the Arts, Film and Goods pantry tugged at me almost every single day during my first eight-month move to LA. As scared as I was to do this, I feared the idea of not doing it even more. Something inside me was naturally birthing a vision. After I wrote out the visions of the Arts Film and Goods Pantry Foundation. I emptied out my savings and made a commitment to not follow my plan but God’s plans. That was a week before the global pandemic. And here we are today, serving foster youth globally. There’s no way the foundation would have gotten this far with helping foster youth without the support from the founder of The Shaderoom and philanthropist of the year Angelica Nwandu. Angie’s recognition of the passion and outstanding support to foster youth is beyond the scenes. With running such a huge platform and still making time to care for underprivileged youth, she’s truly amazing. I’m grateful for Tina Knowles and my WACO Theater Center family, Rita Soronen the CEO of Dave’s Thomas Foundation, Leah Pump, the CEO of Ladylike Foundation and Charity Chandler-Cole the CEO of CASA la. I thank them for helping me launch the foundation. It truly takes a village. It’s bigger than me I can’t take the credit for any of this. It’s my responsibility to reach back and help foster youth thrive in the right direction.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I believe in this here if you keep pure intentions, have a great support system, believe in yourself, have faith, and partake in self-development. Hard times won’t last. On such a purposeful journey, I find myself isolated and lost in passion. But I have the great support of friends and cousins who understands and who I share great memories and laughter with when I want to step away from pressure for a second. An incredible friend Bracken Darrell, and mentors Desiree Paulk, John Torres, David Jepson, and Danielle Crawley. I don’t believe anything should be forced and sometimes that creates struggle in our lives. Alignment is what I seek; it doesn’t matter how long it takes or the pressure that comes with what I am doing. It’s about the peace you can sustain and growth while pushing forward.
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?
I am a former foster youth, mother, writer, Author, and founder/CEO of the Arts Film and Goods Pantry Foundation. Support that provides a variety of resources and services for foster youth globally. To help them thrive as youth and young adults.
I’m most proud of having a village of leaders and partners who have showcased their care for underprivileged youth in our communities. They inspire me, and it’s an honor to serve aside them. I want to thank our partners Joy Paulk, Ms Alex and The Dream Catcher Foundation, Joseph Merchain, Lemuel Plummer CEO of Zeus Network, John and Melissa Torres, Brad Mugg, Honda and Hyundai Of Downtown LA, Kyler Franklin, Durk Banks, and Neighborhood Heroes, Kiesha Nix and The Lakers Foundation, The Grant Cardone Foundation, The Baby2Baby Foundation, Paul Mitchell The School, LA Clippers Foundation, Steve Johnson at Netflix, Danielle Crawley, CNC Casting agency, Ozell Dobbins, The Store Manager of Nissan Ganley Brandon Boro, BMW of Beverly Hills, Evan Jackson at Young Bold and Regal, Kyle Arrington and The E.V.O.L.V.E Foundation, Jermaine Mcgee Simply Creative Arts, Ganni, and EXP Reality.
Partnership is the essence of empowering underprivileged youth in order for them to maximize their potential. It takes a village of our support to show them how they can take responsibility of creating a better life for themselves.
Education, Art Therapy, Workshops and resources, and coming soon Youth Homeless Prevention are the key principles Arts Film and Goods Pantry Foundation fulfill our mission through the following program areas.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Ummmm, how do I define success? Being my authentic self. Motherhood It’s a safe place I create for my children, and the love is unconditionally. Having a piece of mind is a success I celebrate daily. I would say I end each day with a feeling of success that I have the courage TO CHOOSE to live a purposeful life and I choose to see to turn a negative into a positive. Throughout the day it may shake me around lol, but when I lay down I don’t feel like success has absolutely NOTHING to do with anything tangible. I think it’s the way you genuinely treat others, it’s in your perspective, it’s being an anchor for others, it’s moments when I can create unforgettable memories with loved ones. I define success as being alive on purpose for many purposes. And sometimes that’s uncomfortable, but it’s beautiful you know.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artsfilmandgoodspantryfoundation.com
- Instagram: @artsfilmgoodspantry
- Linkedin: Ava Walker
Image Credits
Mark Gunter-Mark G
