A YEAR OF IMPACT

2024 ANNUAL REPORT
Transforming Lives and Empowering Futures

A YEAR OF IMPACT

2024 ANNUAL REPORT
Transforming Lives and Empowering Futures

We are thrilled to present Shine2Inspire’s Annual Impact Report, showcasing the strides we’ve made together in empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in creating pathways to financial success for students at various educational levels. We invite you to download the full report to see the tangible outcomes of our collective efforts.

Thank you for supporting Shine2Inspire

IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS

Every number tells a story of impact and progress. Our “By the Numbers” infographic highlights key metrics from the past year, showcasing how our signature programs – SHINEU, SHINE on the Links, and SHINE Enthusiast—are creating pathways to financial success and unlocking potential for students. These figures reflect the lives touched, opportunities created, and steps taken toward bridging the wealth gap and building a brighter future.

$30,000

Awarded in college/university scholarships for business

300%

Growth in SHINEU college/university partners

127

Youth and young adults participated in Shine2Inspire programs

81

Youth and

young adults served

100%

Program participants who would recommend Shine2Inspire to their peers

$6,000

Invested in newly opened stock market accounts by SHINEU students

100%

Board members who have

contributed financially

307K

Funds received from donors and investors

100%

Participants of SHINE on the Links would recommend the program to their peers

I would rate SHINEU a 10/10…I wouldn’t change anything!
– Carl Nixon, 2024 SHINEU Participant

message from our CO-founder

What started as a discussion on the golf course and three college professors brainstorming business internship ideas has evolved into a vision beyond our wildest dreams of closing the wealth divide through entrepreneurship. In less than two years, we have ignited a passion for a much-needed mission in an ever-changing global economy. I will say it repeatedly: The difference we make is that we do the work, not talk about the theoretical work. We understand what it means to be on the front lines of economic despair and prosperity. In all of our experiences, it comes down to exposure and the right environment. Shine2Inspire is where exposure and environment meet.

We chose entrepreneurship because it defines who we are. Entrepreneurship is one of the most genuine ways to develop asset creation and wealth. It is the disciplined entrepreneur who knows that s/he doesn’t travel the journey alone. They understand penny-pinching, they understand “losing your shirt”, they understand customer acquisition and retention, and they know they can’t survive on pen and paper but instead must leverage technology. The entrepreneur knows financial stamina and health, and the truest entrepreneur sees failure as an opportunity for growth. We show this early.

The years 2023 and 2024 were focused on building—2024 was a year of laying the foundational blocks, or as entrepreneurs know it, the startup phase. We are consumed with wealth creation and beginning early. We are just getting started, and we know we will empower the next generation of entrepreneurs through our partnerships and social village.

Cheers to Energy, Education, Empowerment, and Engagement in preparing entrepreneurs!

message from our CO-founder

What started as a discussion on the golf course and three college professors brainstorming business internship ideas has evolved into a vision beyond our wildest dreams of closing the wealth divide through entrepreneurship. In less than two years, we have ignited a passion for a much-needed mission in an ever-changing global economy. I will say it repeatedly: the difference we make is that we do the work, not theoretically talk about the work. We understand what it means to be on the front lines of economic despair and prosperity. And, in all of our experiences, it comes down to exposure and the right environment. Shine2Inspire is where both exposure and environment meet.

We chose entrepreneurship because that is who we are. We chose entrepreneurship because it is one of the most genuine ways to develop asset creation and wealth. It is the disciplined entrepreneur who knows that s/he doesn’t travel the journey alone, they understand penny-pinching, they understand ‘losing your shirt, the entrepreneur understands customer acquisition and retention, they know they can’t survive on pen and paper but must leverage technology. The entrepreneurs knows financial stamina and health, and the truest entrepreneur sees failure as an opportunity for growth. We show this early.

The years 2023 and 2024 were focused on building—2024 was a year of laying the foundational blocks, or as entrepreneurs know it, the startup phase. We are consumed with wealth creation and beginning early. We are just getting started, and we know we will empower the next generation of entrepreneurs through our partnerships and social village.

Cheers to Energy, Education, Empowerment, and Engagement in Preparing Entrepreneurs!

our mission

Our mission is to create pathways to financial success and unlock potential for students across middle school, high school, vocational/trade school, and college/university levels by exposing them to global entrepreneurship and wealth-building opportunities.

our vision

We envision a world where the wealth gap no longer exists, and all individuals have equal access to opportunities for financial success and lasting generational prosperity.

OUR PATHWAY TO IMPACT

At Shine2Inspire, we believe transformative impact begins with intentional action. Our Pathway to Impact is our theory of change illustrating how we create opportunities for financial success by empowering students through exposure to global entrepreneurship and wealth-building opportunities. By addressing the root causes of the wealth gap, we pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future

Inputs

  • Philanthropy and Investments
  • Executive and Program Staff
  • Strategic Partnerships

Activities

Current Activities:

  • SHINE Enthusiast
  • SHINE on the Links
  • SHINEU

2025-2030 Planned Activities:

  • SHINE Investment Fund
  • SHINE M&H
  • SHINEU (Global)
  • SHINEU (Sp)
  • SHINEU Fellows
  • SHINE V&T

Outputs

  • Youth and Young-Adult Engagement
  • Financial Literacy and Proficiency
  • Business and Entrepreneurship Skills
  • Community Engagement
  • Organizational Sustainability
  • Digital Engagement and Brand Visibility
  • Board and Executive Leadership Effectiveness
  • Program Growth

Outcomes

Short-Term Outcomes:

  • Exposure
  • Access

Intermediate Outcomes:

  • Social Capital
  • Cultural Capital

Long Term Outcomes:

  • Entrepreneurs/Business Owners

Our Board of Directors

We're dedicated to nurturing the next generation of young leaders. Our platforms ignite curiosity, develop skills, and inspire innovation.

Andre Smith

CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Owner, Sunshine & Sunrise Enterprises, LLC

Danesha Smith

CHAIR / PRESIDENT
Business Owner, Sunshine & Sunrise Enterprises, LLC
(dba McDonald’s)

Shelva Clemons, Ph.D.

BOARD MEMBER
Professor, Morehouse College / Howard University

Shavonne L. Dargan

BOARD MEMBER
Senior Vice President, Strategy & Marketing - CURATED
by Live Nation

TRAN NGUYEN

BOARD MEMBER
Business Owner, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Freshens, Sambazon, Wendy's @Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Airport

 

Reggie Walker

BOARD MEMBER
Business Owner,
Mojo Coffee

Denise Graf

BOARD SECRETARY
Franchise Operations Administrator, Sunshine & Sunrise Enterprises, LLC

Cassius F. Butts

BOARD ADVISOR
Two-time United States Presidential Appointee, Author and Speaker

CONTACT US

To make a gift, simply visit www.shine2inspire.org/donate

For inquiries, email us at info@shine2inspire.org

Mailing address

Atlanta Financial Center

3343 Peachtree Rd NE, Ste 145-23-95

Atlanta, GA 30326

email and website

www.shine2inspire.org