BORN TO RISE FOUNDATION, INC.

Funding for Free Youth Figure Skating Programs

Shaniyah J. White (born May 13, 2002) is a youth entrepreneur, philanthropist, motivational speaker, certified figure skating coach and Learn To Skate USA instructor. Shaniyah is the founder and chief executive officer of Born To Rise Foundation, Inc., founded when she was a junior in high school. She is also the founder, chief executive officer and chairwoman of Shavonne LaBre, L.L.C., a hand-made jewelry company she founded when she was in the second grade. Shaniyah is passionate about community service. Shaniyah has served as a motivational speaker at various venues designed to empower, enlighten, and encourage youth and regularly organizes fundraisers, exciting community-building programs and events, and in-depth training sessions for youth. Speaking engagements have included Rutgers Business School in Newark, New Jersey, County College of Morris in Randolph, New Jersey, and Cicely Tyson School of Performing & Fine Arts in East Orange, New Jersey.

As a popular figure skating coach and instructor, Shaniyah currently has over 80 students on her roster and provides private coaching and group lessons to skaters of all ages. Shaniyah teaches basic through progressive skating techniques to children and adults, including children and adults with special needs. She is also a volunteer coach for the Essex Special Skaters charity program that helps special needs athletes of all ages master the sport of ice skating and is actively involved with Special Olympics events.

In an effort to bring in more diversity, equity, and inclusion in the sport of figure skating, Shaniyah provides a charitable education of ice skating to children and adults through our community-based nonprofit organization, Born To Rise Foundation, Inc., where we provide free skating lessons at ice skating rinks such as American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey and the Essex County Codey Arena in West Orange, New Jersey. Shaniyah founded the organization with the mission to provide mentorship to youth which focuses on building self-empowerment and leadership skills while helping them launch their passion and purpose into the world. We have no paid staff and run entirely by volunteers. 

Shaniyah is the director and head coach for the free ice skating initiative. As most of the skaters are at beginner level, we use a holistic approach to instruction that provides skaters with a solid foundation on which to build their skills in order to instill discipline, courage, perseverance, and resilience in their overall development. Our mission is to create and cultivate ice skating that exemplifies diversity, equity, and inclusion in the sport of figure skating, preparing skaters to enter a variety of disciplines.

Despite the current pandemic, there is a growing demand for the programs. However, ice limitations have forced some programs to be put on pause such as the free after school skating program. As Shaniyah currently has a large number of skaters on a waiting list, the numbers continue to increase each week. Also, parents and skaters are requesting more programming. Additional ice time is needed to ensure that the programs continue to thrive. To meet the demand, Shaniyah is opening a training facility. While Shaniyah has personally funded the Foundation’s programming since its inception September 17, 2020, the programs will now be able to expand due to the support and generous individual contributions from people like you.

For more information, please visit www.borntorisefoundation.org.

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