The Niles Foundation's Story
Family, Music, Community and Purpose
The Niles Foundation was founded by Shante Walker, the granddaughter of King Charles Mac Niles. King Charles Mac Niles, also known as "Calypso Mac Niles" or "King Mac Niles," was a talented Calypso musician born in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. He had dreams of becoming the greatest Calypso musician in the United States. Niles was signed to Columbia Pictures and appeared in several films, including "Affair In Trinidad," "Calypso Heat Wave," and "Run for Your Life."
During Niles' time, fairness, diversity, and inclusion were almost invisible. However, Niles was highly sought after for his ability to speak eight fluent languages and his talent for singing and writing music, particularly songs in his father's native language, Igbo, a popular Nigerian language. Niles had high-profile friends and worked with well-known musicians like Desi Arnaz. He passed on his family's musical gifts to all of his offspring.
Shante, Niles' granddaughter, was born to his daughter, D.M. Niles. Like Niles, both Shante and her mother are musicians at heart and have performed throughout Los Angeles, making names for themselves in the music industry. However, Shante felt a calling to add philanthropic projects and milestones to her musical career, giving back to her communities and building equity.
Growing up in the '90s, Shante witnessed the heavy stain of inequalities, racism, and limited opportunities for people of color in Los Angeles. After Niles passed away when Shante was only 12 years old, she felt that her true gifts and talents began to emerge. She used her gifts and talents to bring honor not only to her family name but also to all communities that have been overlooked, disinvested, and underrepresented. This is the driving force behind the founding of The Niles Foundation.
The Niles Foundation believes that by offering long-term environmental sustainability, it can stimulate economic growth. The foundation also aims to build equity for all youth, empowering them to make critical decisions and inspire each other long before high school graduation. The Niles Foundation stands with women and has developed project-based programs to increase autonomy, independence, community, action, and change for all.
Whether you are discovering your own gifts and talents or seeking a new direction in life, The Niles Foundation wants you to know that there is a place for you. The foundation is here to empower, stimulate, and support individuals on their journey. The Niles Foundation was built for you, to help you become greater and make a positive impact in the world.
Meet Our Leadership Team
SHANTE WALKER
SHANTE WALKER
SHANTE WALKER
FOUNDER & CEO
Shante Walker founded The Niles Foundation a 501 c3 Non-Profit community-based organization in 2019 to build equity and equality for Los Angeles. She has led multiple organizations, trained & developed diverse leaders, an educator and mentor of traditional and non-traditional students K 12.
Shante is dedicated to increasing t
FOUNDER & CEO
Shante Walker founded The Niles Foundation a 501 c3 Non-Profit community-based organization in 2019 to build equity and equality for Los Angeles. She has led multiple organizations, trained & developed diverse leaders, an educator and mentor of traditional and non-traditional students K 12.
Shante is dedicated to increasing the health, equity, and wellness of all lives. Shante is born and raised in South Los Angeles, providing creative solutions, creating free-thinkers, and building sustainable communities for those who are underserved, underrepresented, and disadvantaged.
Shante studied Computer Science, Music Education, Business, Liberal Arts, and Psychology, obtaining her third degree a Master's in Psychology of Leadership with a concentration in OL&D, Diversity and Inclusion, & Employee and Staff Management from Penn State University.
Shante is a Penn State Alumni, ASCAP, and Black Chamber of Commerce member who recently partnered with the US Green Chamber of Commerce as part of their Global Climate Pledge project.
She has built numerous local farms and gardens, helped to build a local new LA park, acquired land for future community development projects, is bringing Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing to LA, and creating Green Jobs for Youth.
WSHANA MOSS
SHANTE WALKER
SHANTE WALKER
EXEC. BOARD MEMBER
Wshana leads TNF's strategic planning and has entrepreneurial, philanthropic and creative skills that supports the mission of build a better LA for our residents. She strives to use her gifts and talents to make a positive impact globally .
In addition, Wshana has multiple years of experience consulting businesses suc
EXEC. BOARD MEMBER
Wshana leads TNF's strategic planning and has entrepreneurial, philanthropic and creative skills that supports the mission of build a better LA for our residents. She strives to use her gifts and talents to make a positive impact globally .
In addition, Wshana has multiple years of experience consulting businesses such as T-Mobile & Metro PCS client stores empowering them to reach their full potential in achieving success towards their end goals. Her belief is that everyone has a unique purpose and strongly encourages all to dream big and to seek out the best version of themselves.
Wshana loves performance, entertainment, songwriting, athleticism and sports. As Wshana would say, “Together We Rise!”
MR. J
SHANTE WALKER
KAYLEN ALFRED
EXEC. BOARD MEMBER
Mr. J leads our funding and partnerships connecting communities and businesses to TNF through education, collaboration and relationship building.
Mr. Gordon is an advit animal lover, a music enthusiast, an agent of change, and holds multiple ties to our local communities.
Mr. Gordon's creative background includes writing
EXEC. BOARD MEMBER
Mr. J leads our funding and partnerships connecting communities and businesses to TNF through education, collaboration and relationship building.
Mr. Gordon is an advit animal lover, a music enthusiast, an agent of change, and holds multiple ties to our local communities.
Mr. Gordon's creative background includes writing vignettes (short stories), commercial and residential real estate, teaching, and languages. Mr. J is a Realtor, Community developer and has worked with Keller Williams and now currently EXP Realty.
His next steps include Law, affordable housing, and community green building projects for LA's most vulnerable residents.
Mr. J believes in equity for all.
KAYLEN ALFRED
SHANTE WALKER
KAYLEN ALFRED
PROGRAM SUPPORT MNGR.
The volunteer program support provides creative solutions that connect to our local community's needs.
Kaylen has a creative background that includes, culinary arts, entertainment, education, art, teaching, and youth support. She has appeared on reality and talk shows, is a huge advocate for social justice, and is c
PROGRAM SUPPORT MNGR.
The volunteer program support provides creative solutions that connect to our local community's needs.
Kaylen has a creative background that includes, culinary arts, entertainment, education, art, teaching, and youth support. She has appeared on reality and talk shows, is a huge advocate for social justice, and is currently working with youth.
Kaylen is an enthusiast and advocate for social and environmental justice, food insecurity, LGBTQIA, and the empowerment of BIPOC communities.
In Kaylen's creative eyes the world is a blank canvas where youth just need a little support to begin seeing the world in new colors. Kaylen is an animal hugger, an artist, and a unique soul!
TNF's CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLIANCE
At The Niles Foundation, we are committed to an inclusive and equitable environment where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Discrimination of any form, including but not limited to discrimination based on age, ability, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic level, veteran status, or any other characteristic, is strictly prohibited. We also serve linguistically diverse populations in the communities we serve.
If you require additional accommodation please contact Kaylen Alfred, our Civil Rights Coordinator, through the following options:
- Call 310-881-3640 (voice) or 310-881-3640 (Text)
- Email kaylen@thenilesfoundation.org to request accommodations for a TNF program, service, or activity. Please do so as soon as possible but no later than five business days before the event or meeting.
If you are disabled and had a problem gaining equal access to TNF services, programs, or activities, you may file a grievance here with downloadable forms in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean.
