We were lucky to catch up with Ava Walker recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ava thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I knew I wanted to do an artistic path as early as 10 years old. I would tell everyone I was going to be an author and a screenwriter. Some would laugh at me, some kids and adults didn’t believe me. And some saw it through my eyes without me ever saying a word. Grateful for them! I believed in me and honestly thankfully to still carry that deeply within me. Because some people are cruel ya know. They will tell you what you can’t do, discourage you, project their failures and fears on you. You have to discern what’s best for you. Most importantly do what makes your heart beat out happiness and peace. I spent my entire life alone as a child with absolutely no validation. There was anxiety often like a dream was birthing inside of me. I am also aware of when someone is trying to discreetly belittle me, don’t believe in me or feel intimidated by my belief in myself. And teach my children how to discern this. I disconnect from those kind of individuals. I am courageous enough to work hard. It wasn’t easy, to be forced to have inner belief, and have resilience. From that I try to help pour strength, depths, joy and belief system in others. I love that I am used for that! Because some people don’t have anyone and may not know how to find that place of hope within themselves.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a former foster youth, writer and Founder/CEO of Arts Film and Goods Pantry Foundation serving foster youth globally. I moved to California at age 29 with just $125 and a suit case of clothes to become a screenwriter. My life shifted from that direction instantly when I moved here. I started working in the automotive industry at Honda of DTLA. Where the vision of my foundation Arts Film and Goods Pantry Foundation came to me. I tried to reject the vision a few times. But it wouldn’t leave from my mind or dreams. I started the foundation a week before the global pandemic. And with the continuous support from Angelica Nwanda The founder of the Shaderoom, Rita Sorreon CEO of The Dave Thomas Foundation, Charity Chandler -Cole CEO of CASA LA, Leah Pump the CEO of Ladylike Foundation, Tina Knowles and my entire WACO Theater Center family. We were able to provide essential needs for foster youth. I’m overwhelmed often with gratitude for the support we receive in such a huge purposeful journey. It’s not easy but it feels aligned to my entire life. You know growing up as a foster youth, I thought I had the worse life someone could’ve ever been born with. Today, understanding that It was a chosen life to be trusted to engage with underprivileged youth in a very unique way that many can’t tap into. The foster youth needs my passion and leadership. I dedicate my life to make sure we are serving them and helping with their essentials needs, and being two arms holding them tight when they feel alone in life. Where I am today is welcoming the greatest version of myself so we can manifest the bigger visions for Arts Film and Goods Pantry Foundation, while allowing the inner child in me to go on that journey with me.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
My daughters, I don’t think I could do any of this without them. I deeply appreciate them for understanding my purpose, and having a selfless heart at such a young age. When I feel like the crown of leadership is too heavy. I am so grateful to know and be lead by such a phenomenal and great inspiration of strength. My friend Bracken Darrell who’s support has positioned/fueled my life’s purpose. Bracken’s authentically, humanity, intuitiveness, and having pride in leadership has been the reason many lives are changed by him simply changing one.
There’s so much inspiration that has been impactful throughout out my journey from writing, reading books and watching educational videos, that I’ve studied night after night. But truth is I am an urban inspiration. That alone gives me a drive that will never burn out and to show what’s possible to those who grew up in places like me. Where I’m from, we didn’t even know Disney World was a place that existence outside of tv. We had never heard of Coding. We never knew getting on a plane was tangible. We never saw a Whole Foods Market. We didn’t know about resources that could’ve helped us get into college or improve our environments. Although we made the best of what we had. We needed someone to bring us resources or teach us things. So my biggest inspiration is showing the underprivileged youth and families throughout every community, hard times don’t last. With a pure soul, with faith and drive. No matter the location or upbringing life is literally your creation.
One of the most valuable pieces of inspiration which has significantly impacted me as the CEO of Arts Film and Goods Pantry Foundation. Are the authentic leaders that I have witness from and honored to lead aside. A partnership of humanity and a village of hope. Angelica Nwandu The CEO of the Shaderoom, Joseph Merchain Speaker, Super Bowl LVI World Champ, Joy Paulk the CEO of The Joy Corner Beauty Beyond, Alexander Crayton CEO/Founder of The Dream Catcher Foundation, Tina Knowles The CEO of WACO Theater Center, Rita Sorreon the CEO of The Dave Thomas Foundation, Brad Mugg Managing Partner of Honda and Hyundai of DTLA, Tiffany Person Casting Director, Desiree Paulk CEO of Destiny Joy, Kiesha Nix the Vice President of The Lakers Foundation, Charity Chandler-Cole the CEO of CASA LA, Leah Pump the CEO of LadyLike Foundation, Kevin Freeman Executive Director of Neighborhood Heroes, Steve Johnson Netflix VP of Design, Danielle Crawley the CEO of Dream Makers Casting, Kelly Sawyer Patricof & Norah Weinstein Co-CEOs of Baby2Baby, Brandon Boro Store Manager of Nissan Ken Ganley, Gerald Dotson CEO of Muncheez, Ozell Dobbins CEO of Floods Urban SeaFoods, Amy Stewert Speaker, Mentor, and Author, Kyle Arrington, Grant Cardone CEO of The Grant Cardone Foundation and Danny Mendoza Founder/CEO of Foster Love. And many more leaders I admire.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect in my journey is the inspiration to do more that will better the lives of foster youth, who are sadly often forgotten. The smiles, comfort, growth, the safe space and support that our foundation is able to provide to foster youth. The continuous care and passion from our board, and our partners have that makes a bigger positive impact in their lives throughout many communities. The desire to grow the foundation essentials needs for foster youth are so important to us. To witness the impact from those visions are rewarding. By continuing our mission of the foundation focused on education, job/career opportunities, youth homelessness prevention, and therapy. And that’s why we are so gentle in our pace, intentional with our visions and overwhelmed in passion about what we are building in Arts Film and Goods Pantry Foundation. It’s bigger than my existence, Arts Film and Goods Pantry Foundation is here to outlive us but help many foster youth live the life they deserve. I want to make sure those who are on the board and our partners are committed to keeping the foundation mission fulfilled. Helping foster youth thrive in the right direction. It truly takes a village!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artsfilmandgoodspantry.com
- Instagram: @artsfilmgoodspantry
- Linkedin: Ava Walker
Image Credits
Mark Gunter -Mark G