How The Niles Foundation Was Founded
Family, Music, Community and Purpose
The Niles Foundation was founded by Shante Walker the granddaughter of King Charles Mac Niles. Niles was born in St. Thomas-Virgin Islands and had dreams of being the greatest Calypso musician here in the States he could be. He was often referred to as "Calypso Mac Niles" or "King Mac Niles," and King Charles Mac Niles. Yes, that's right "King" because Niles's father was of high and prestigious leadership where he was born in Nigeria. Niles was signed to Columbia pictures and has appeared in multiple films such as Affair In Trinidad, Calypso Heat Wave, and Run for Your Life. Fairness, diversity and inclusion were almost invisible during his time, but Niles was highly sought for his ability to speak eight fluent languages , singing and writing music most relative to his career, songs in his father's native language igbo a popular Nigerian language. Ultimately, Niles acquired high profile friends working with well know musicians like Desi Arnaz, amongst others, and passed on the Niles family gifts to all of his offspring.
Niles's granddaughter (Shante) born of his daughter (D.M. Niles) both are also musicians at heart like Niles, and have performed throughout Los Angeles creating their own names in music. Like Niles, Shante created her own footprints adding philanthropic projects and milestones to give back to her communities to build equity. While Niles toured as an established musician and enjoyed the finer things in life, his family and generational direction would later help to build what we now know as The Niles Foundation. Los Angeles, CA was a very different place in the '50s and '60s, with a heavy stain on inequalities, racism and limited opportunities for people of color. Fortunately, the 90s that granddaughter Niles (Shante) grew up in would challenge this.
After Niles passed while his granddaughter was only 12, this is where she believes that her true gifts and talents took place. She used all her gifts and talents to bring honor to her family "Niles" but found even greater purpose focusing on bringing honor to all communities alike that have been overlooked, underserved and underrepresented. This is how and why The Niles Foundation was founded. The Niles Foundation believes that by offering environmental long-term sustainability that it will stimulate economic growth and that by building equity for all our youth, that our youth would inspire each other helping to make greater critical decisions earlier way before highschool graduation. The Niles Foundation stands with women which is also why we have built project-based programs to increase autonomy, independence, community, action, and change for all.
Whether you are discovering your gifts and or talents, or creating new direction, we want you to know that you have a place to come to help empower, stimulate and support you. The Niles Foundation was built for you!
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!
Community and Impact
GREENING SOUTH LA
LA WOMEN & GIRLS PROGRAMS
LA WOMEN & GIRLS PROGRAMS
Tree planting, pollinators, herbs, fruits and vegetables for more greener and healthier environments.
LA WOMEN & GIRLS PROGRAMS
LA WOMEN & GIRLS PROGRAMS
LA WOMEN & GIRLS PROGRAMS
Women's economic development, leadership, advocacy and capacity building.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
LA WOMEN & GIRLS PROGRAMS
LAND & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Creating unique partnerships, collaborations and access.
LAND & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
LAND & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
LAND & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Land development, agriculture, farming, and community development.
LOCAL FRESH FOOD ACCESS
LAND & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
LOCAL FRESH FOOD ACCESS
Growing food to teach others how to grow.
VOLUNTEERISM
LAND & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
LOCAL FRESH FOOD ACCESS
Increased Volunteerism in-person and virtually.