Meet Samantha Hudson | Non-profit CEO/Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Samantha Hudson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samantha, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Vision Center of Hope, Inc is a 501c3 non-profit, human service agency. The idea to develop this agency came from years of public service work as a child welfare professional, community advocacy/civic leadership, and educator. the pandemic was not the major concern impacting communities, it served as an additional crisis now adding more barriers to already underserved communities. As an educator, I found myself right in the kitchen, front rooms, and employment spaces of families who now during the pandemic did not have basic resources to live and if they had the resources, the major shift from in person learning to virtually learning creating more challenging barriers. What I knew was, social service, educational and government entities did not appear to have a plan to engage communities in a way that preserved and protected the quality of life for those who already faced disadvantages,

My idea places a focus on ending social injustice and inequities experienced by predominantly minority communities and provide the resources and support to increase positive quality of life outcomes. We strongly believe that the non-profit organization ensure social relevance when considering how to engage communities through public service.

What should our readers know about your business?
Vision Center of Hope, INC. is a non-profit human service agency

To enhance and improve the quality of life of marginalized communities and support the overall human and well-being of all people, specifically attention to the needs of communities and people who are vulnerable, oppressed, living in poverty and experiencing marginalization.

Our work is guided and informed by our beliefs and commitments to advocacy, serving with compassion, equity, empowerment, and partnership. Understanding the impact of the pandemic on Black, Minority and BIPOC communities, we value the delivery of relevant services that makes direct social impact, advocacy for educational equity, while serving as a liaison between school and community. We wholeheartedly believe that civic education and voter engagement increases positive changes for communities.

What sets us apart from other agencies is our understanding of how service is guided by policies and those policies are connected to individuals who are in elected leadership roles. Our organization is concerned with all levels of government that is responsible for making decisions about the services needs of vulnerable communities.

Serving as a Special Education Teacher for Atlanta Public Schools, I met a cross road. This cross road presented remaining in the service focus of the status quo or disrupting the familiar in order to make impact with students who were considered low performing. I choose the latter; I choose to disrupt a system of doing that did not work for students. I found myself on a lonely road and the only presence of support were my peers who did not have the courage to do anything against the status quo. This created an uncomfortable work environment, but I knew if anyone was going to benefit out of the chaos, it would definitely be my students. Noteworthy, 2022 school year ended with student growth achievement in ELA was 100%.. Unfortunately, I was met with fighting to regain a contract and with the stats produced for my students, I felt that it was time to make a shift and focus on a path that would allow me to do this work how I have always envisioned it to be. I resumed my focus on my non-profit and as a result, was awarded our first grant in the amount of 125k to expand voter education for disenfranchised voters.

As we build this project, I am learning the foundational formats for building and steering a successful non-profit organization and it is not easy.

What I want people to know about my brand and my story is, I am a overcomer!!! I am a non-traditional scholar who at 30 years of age returned to school and obtained my GED with four small children and no family support. From this achievement, I went on to pursue my associates from a junior college and within five years obtained my Master of Social Work degree. Today, I am completing my Doctorate of Public Administration with an anticipated completed project and graduation this year.

What I am most proud of, his my ability to overcome and help others,

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I definitely am a frequent visitor of Jamaica. So this trip would begin with sailing the Caribbean on a party boat, climbing Dunns River Falls and eating some good Jamaican food. Laying out on the beach with rum punch in one hand, while the Caribbean sun beams down, releasing Vitamin D. I love parasailing and water sports, so we definitely will spend a day playing in the water. All the excitement by now is wearing us down, so by now we can simple sit by the pool and relax while floating to the bar for more rum. Jamaica and the Caribbean islands are very fun, existing and revealing. It feels great to go to a Black Country and not have to compete to be Black.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I first want to SHOUTOUT GOD! This journey and experience would not be possible if I relied solely on myself. It truly has been a faith walk that has truly helped me to tap into my creativity. In persons, I would like to SHOUTOUT my mentor Dr. Asabi Yakini, my former social work professor and research mentor. It was her faith in me and constant mentorship that helped me to embrace my calling. I want to shout out my special friend Pastor Diane Brown for pushing me, praying for me and allowing to simply be me.

Website: visioncenterofhope.org

Instagram: https://instagram.com/visioncenterofhope?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vision-center-of-hope/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064601777243