Meet Shandrea Moody-Wilson of Urban Not Average

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shandrea Moody-Wilson.

Shandrea, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In 2013, my child, Vaniya Yoakum, was discovered running at a high-end speed at the age of six in a community park in Los Angeles. Later that week, she was invited out to training with a group of children above her age group and her results were breathtaking. As a single mother, who challenged with rent, college, resourced materials, on top of everything training expenses for my talented six years old daughter, was beyond stressful. Once I saw the challenge, it was for me as well as other parents and guardians who did not have it, it caused a bit of heart break. But the smiles and cheers from the children once they won medals and trophies was priceless. Yet, the children who was blessed with so much talent, more than my own child, was unable to endure that same excitement. Which was the most heartbreaking.

In 2018, I decided to develop patterns of support for the children in training. Starting with basic nutrition. I’ve help support the coaches and trainer to receive donated items to the children for several events. During training, on the road or even during traditional school hours, at an early age, the children were educated on the projections of “Healthy Eating”. Not every child is able to balance so many developmental patterns at an early age. Yet, children who are involved in sports training, who have scheduled agendas, have the ability to understand, relate and adapt to many situations or challenges when faced.

Has it been a smooth road?
Of course, when involved in Sports, not too many women are taking seriously, especially on the field. In some Track & Field settings, single mothers are not looked as “SOLID” family structures. Being in a league of leadership alone, single mothers must work twice as hard. We are looked only as “Just a Mother”. The title of being a nutritionist, manager, financial sponsor or even trainer is overlooked. At times we get told to stay in our place. In current times, speaking to a hard-working mother, who is on her own on many levels, does not sit right. Women become defensive, men feel threatened or even violated.

In which is why I was motivated to develop Urban Not Average. In addition to the inspirational aspect of my child, I wanted a platform for parents to go to that needs not only financial support but an additional resources such as single mother/ family support, housing, proper nutrition, education and homeless prevention outreach. Having a full support system enhances the student-athletes performances on and off the field.

Please tell us about Urban Not Average.
Urban Not Average goals is to provide support for Student-athletes and families nationwide. UNA is in the business of changing and shaping lives. The work we do aims to holistically solve some of our society’s biggest challenges in ensuring urban youths have access to resources they need to excel. Currently, UNA programs are student-athletes individual support, homeless outreach, supporting families and supporting the community.

STUDENT-ATHLETES INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT focuses on academic advising, school schedule coordination, tutorial support, transportation support, financial support, competition, family support, & scholarships, mentoring, nutrition, health and mental wellness Support & college prep support. Children need to be able to experience social security amongst their peers in different stages of their life. Children who lack basic developmental findings will have trouble adapting to future challenges society will throw at them.

HOMELESS OUTREACH portion of the program assists with the community. During these challenging times, UNA been providing some financial assistance to families who lack financial security for traditional necessities such has food, educational studies and more. As we deepen our involvement in addressing the issues of homelessness amongst students and those aspiring to participate in sports, we have moved towards acquiring three residential properties for low socioeconomic families. An additional property will soon be used to provide housing to Foster and Transitional youth experiencing the loss of family ties.

We are most proud of our dedication to stepping up our efforts in addressing this issue of food shortage within households. Food Donation Drop-Off is by no means an easy feat, but through cooperation and community empowerment, we facilitate the provision of food and other basic household needs to families experiencing lack. We do this by personally reaching out to families in a personalized manner to ensure their dignity is left intact and they can receive our help without the guilt often associated with accepting hand-outs.

What sets UNA apart from others is our variety of resources. It is our journey, with being as leaders to children’s athletic goals, to continue to provide support to athletes. By using several points to approach in assisting young talented youths, our strategic methods work toward finding our student-athletes purpose in life.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In today’s society, COVID-19 has been an unforgettable unfortunate situation for us all. COVID-19 has modified many businesses including Non-Profits. For UNA, fundraisers, donations and sponsorships has been minimized. With this unfortunate event, UNA has begun to focus more certain divisions in the program than others. During COVID, UNA has extended its Work-Study program for High School students to work and study while away from their traditional studies and activities. UNA has also rented out spaces in Los Angeles County to tutor ages 4-18 years of age. We are soon to open Social Distance Training. Where all ages are able to increase physical performances prior to their traditional seasons opening.

The next 5-10 years, given 2-3 of aftermath of COVID-19, there is no specific prediction how UNA would be handled directly. UNA just continue to pray that we continue to embark on our mission and continue to invite many to become a friend of our organization.

Pricing:

• Suggested Donation $1-5,000
• Suggested Donation $5000-$10,000
• Suggested Donation $10,000-MORE

Contact Info:

• Website: www.urbannotaverage.com
• Phone: 844-863-8959
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: URBAN NOT AVERAGE, JAMES_SMILES_URBAN_ NOT_ AVERAGE
• Facebook: URBAN NOT AVERAGE

Image Credit:
@URBANNOTAVERAGE, @JAMES_SMILES_URBAN_NOT_AVERAGE, @WOMENTHATHUSTLE, @BRITTANYMILLERBRAND, @BOHANNAMARKETINGBRANDING, @MADLUVMEDIA, @NIANN_ALISE_PHOTOGRAPHY, @MZLIDS.MUA

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