Shammon’s Story

Even at a young age, Shammon always felt like he was going to be used for something bigger than himself. But growing up not knowing his dad, and growing up in a family that didn’t deal well with their emotions, Shammon didn’t have the critical skills to discern what or how he could be used for something bigger.

Lead yourself well

Had you met Shammon 3 years ago, you would not have seen him as a leader. In fact, other ministry staff people didn’t select him as a leader. Only one local high school leader saw potential in him and placed him as a leader on his team.

Shammon loved impacting kids’ lives but felt a growing passion to do that where he grew up instead of driving across town to Western Hills. After 1.5 years as a leader, Shammon recognized that he needed to work on himself first before he could effectively help others. Our partner, Back2Back Cincinnati, helped him heal from his past and empower his desires.

Shammon’s coach, Michael, gave him the space to safely explore his hidden desires. Michael helped Shammon navigate through different jobs and helped him nurture his dreams into reality. Michael exposed Shammon to different options so that he could pitch his ideas to investors.

Those things gave Shammon the courage to explore his passions to be the positive change for his community. Shammon wants to create a neighborhood shop that uses his brand, Vangobrand, for kids in the community to express their true selves. Vangobrand reflects his own journey to find and express his true self.

This summer, Rising Leaders gave Shammon the platform to begin exploring what that means. At the Evanston Rec Center, Shammon created an art class that nurtured each person’s identity, and display it at a season-ending fashion show.

Dee is a freshman at Hughes High School whose life was changed from Shammon’s art class. Art allowed Dee to express the anxieties and hope within him. Dee’s father was in prison and couldn’t provide the nurturing that Dee longs for. Shammon saw Dee respond to him as a little brother. Dee says, “because Shammon believed in me, I wanted to do better. I went from straight Fs last year to straight As.”

Dee was also very responsive to the values taught by Rising Leaders like love, joy, peace, kindness, and self-control. After the “forgiveness” talk, Dee wanted to broker peace between his sister and a friend with whom she “had a beef”. Dee sought advice on how he could get a phone because his mom couldn’t help him get a job. Dee was challenged to serve his mom around the house in exchange for a phone. She said to Dee, “I see you’re growing up.”

Shammon sees potential in Dee as a leader and plans to use Dee as a junior teacher in the next Art and Fashion class.

Growth as a Leader

As the Captain of the Art Program, Shammon learned how to develop a curriculum and deliver it. He learned about the necessity of preparing and thinking ahead. He learned how to observe the response of the classroom to how and what he was teaching. Shammon grew in his ability to talk in front of students. He loved how the kids responded to his lessons and wants to grow as a teacher.

Shammon desires to take greater responsibility with Rising Leader Programs and asked to become a junior supervisor for the next season of programming at the Evanston Recreation Center. When it comes to his career, Shammon found a print shop where he is learning valuable experience for establishing his own shop. Our faithful coach Michael continues to nurture his entrepreneurial and social justice passions.