My name is Shawn Blake, and I’ve always been the kind of person who tries to build something bigger than myself.

I’m a 34 year old entrepreneur, originally from the Bronx, New York. Growing up there, you learn that survival isn’t just a word...it’s a skill. Those NY streets teach you resilience, grit, and how to navigate a world that doesn’t always make space for you. Today, I work as a finance professional, advising on million-dollar decisions. On paper, it looks like a straight line to success.

But behind that title is a journey that’s been anything but linear.

My deepest mission has always been to create freedom, healing, and opportunity; not just for myself, but for the people who look like me, who come from where I come from, who don’t always get a seat at the table. For years, I’ve poured my energy into building that reality: launching businesses, curating community experiences that blend technology and culture, and creating content to help people heal, grow, and reclaim their power.

I’ve never been afraid to take risks in pursuit of something meaningful. But like many of us who are building while healing, my journey has had its share of storms.

Recently, I went through a deeply difficult and emotionally draining relationship. It was a situation that shook me to my core, challenging my sense of safety, my clarity, and my spirit. Walking away wasn’t just a choice, it was, yet again, survival. In the aftermath, I found myself rebuilding parts of myself in real time, all while trying to show up for my work, my responsibilities, and the vision I’ve been chasing for so long.

That experience changed me. But instead of letting it break me, I made a decision: I would turn this pain into purpose.

I am building a diaspora investing platform - a hub where black diasporians around the world can co-invest along with the black African community across many industries. With over 300 members and growing, we are poised for success, but building a platform is not that easy.

I’ve realized that you can’t build economic freedom without addressing the internal barriers that hold us back. The platform I’m creating will be a home for both: a place to heal from the traumas that keep us small and a place to access the tools and resources to build something that lasts. It’s about freedom, inside and out.

This is where I’m asking for your support.

The funds raised here will allow me to invest in this platform and show our first proof of concept on community investing with local South Africans.

This means:

Community Events: Hosting both virtual and in-person gatherings where we can connect, learn, and grow together in safe, brave spaces.

Platform Development: Building the infrastructure to turn this vision into a scalable reality that can reach and serve thousands.

Business Investing: Funds received will enable us to build out the legal structure to successfully start our first business joint-venture.

This isn’t just about my story. It’s about us. It’s about creating something that lives beyond me...a resource for our community to heal, to invest, and to thrive - not just survive.

If you’ve ever had to rebuild yourself…

If you’ve ever felt like you were meant for more but had to fight through real-life challenges to get there…

If you believe in turning pain into purpose…

I’m asking you to support in any way you can. Whether that’s donating, sharing this campaign with your network, or simply sending positive energy—every bit helps build the foundation for what’s next.

I’m not giving up on what I’m building. And with the right support, I know this next chapter won’t just be about survival.

It will be about impact.

Thank you for seeing me, for believing in this vision, and for helping me turn one of the hardest chapters of my life into a movement that can heal and empower us all.

With gratitude and purpose,

Coach SB