Help Amnoni Myers Elevate Foster Care at SXSW!

Hello friends, family, and supporters!

I’m thrilled to share some exciting news: Launch Ahead, the platform I founded to support youth in foster care as they transition into adulthood, has been selected as one of 47 companies to be a finalist for the 2025 SXSW Pitch I’m honored to be one of 5 companies selected to pitch in the Enterprise, Smart Data, Fintech, and Future of Work category. This incredible opportunity places Launch Ahead on a global stage, where we can spotlight the power of innovation to create lasting social change.

For those who don’t know, my journey from foster care to founding Launch Ahead has been deeply personal. Growing up in the system, I often felt unsupported, lacking the resources and guidance to navigate life’s challenges. Today, my mission is to ensure no young person in foster care ever feels alone. Launch Ahead’s personalized pathways, mentorship, and gamified learning experiences aim to bridge the gap between foster care and a successful adulthood.

Being selected as a finalist among nearly 600 applicants is an incredible honor—it also underscores the urgent need for tech-based solutions in child welfare. By pitching at SXSW, I hope to attract new partners, connect with mentors, and gain media visibility that will ultimately help us expand Launch Ahead’s impact nationwide.

How You Can Help:

While conference registration and pitch fees are already covered, the remaining costs are not. Your support will help cover travel, accommodations, meals, and business expenses during the SXSW event (March 7–15, 2025).

Every dollar you donate puts me one step closer to the SXSW stage and brings us closer to a future where youth in foster care aren’t left behind. Whether you contribute financially or share this campaign with friends, family, and colleagues, your support truly makes a difference.

Why Your Support Matters:

1. Amplify Tulsa’s Innovation: Launch Ahead represents the resilience and forward-thinking spirit of Tulsa, a city still healing from the legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre but determined to chart a new course for social entrepreneurship.

2. Champion Youth in Foster Care: Together, we can empower thousands of young people who deserve the resources and support to reach their full potential.

3. Inspire Systemic Change: This SXSW showcase is more than just an event—it’s a chance to reimagine child welfare and bring healing into mainstream conversations on innovation.

I’d also love for you to check out my SXSW press release/news story from the Black Wall Street Times (Tulsa), where you can learn more about why Launch Ahead is so important and how it’s changing the lives of foster care youth. You can read the full story https://theblackwallsttimes.com/2025/01/27/launch-ahead-named-finalist-for-sxsw-pitch-2025-in-smart-cities-sustainability/

Thank you for believing in Launch Ahead and in my passion for uplifting the next generation of leaders. Your support will help us continue to make a lasting impact on the lives of youth in foster care and create change that will benefit communities everywhere. You can learn more about Launch Ahead here! https://www.launchahead.co/

With lots of love and gratitude,

Amnoni Laren Myers

Founder & CEO of Launch Ahead

Former Foster Care Youth, Advocate, and Author of _You Are the Prize_