We had the good fortune of connecting with Yugonda Sample-Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yugonda, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I worked as a Co-Teacher at Newport Academy, an alternative school for children with learning and behavioral disabilities, when I found my passion for community organizing, through my volunteer work. During my service as a liaison for the Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI) grant.
I realized and experienced the lack of equity in the communication of information and opportunities. More resources were offered in different communities. As I learned to maneuver through social and systemic barriers, I began walking door-to-door discussing the reliable resources that were effective for me with neighbors. Through this work, I found my passion was for not only organizing, but also connecting services to the people who need them most.
In 2019, I was inspired to create EmPower All, an organization whose mission is to Encourage, Expose, and Engage People living marginalized communities to cultivate socioeconomic change.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
EmPower All has become recognized as an important part of the “come as you are” approach to community engagement, violence prevention, and socioeconomic change. Our diverse team of community partners have strong educational, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, allowing us to work closely and successfully in disenfranchised communities afflicted by economic barriers and violence.
Our proactive engagement strategies and “Village Building” activities have proven to bring the overall crime rate down by 30% in our targeted communities!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The entire 757 has a multitude of highlights and things to do, but if staying, in Newport News. The Eastend of Newport News has a very unique story to tell. We would visit the J. Thomas Newsome House, from 1906 until 1942, it was the residence of J. Thomas Newsome, an African American attorney and journalist. The James A. Fields House, built in 1897, by prominent African American lawyer and politician James A. Fields and served as the location of the first black hospital in the city. Both locations are museums, full of the rich history. Then, visit the Train Station or the Crab Shack for lunch on the James River. The following day we would tour our community, where we would circle our neighborhood to see the gentrification happening and discuss solutions from different perspectives. We would catch a show at the Downing-Gross Cultural Art Center or Good Vibes, then enjoy a night of dancing and drinks at any restaurant/bar in City Center, Salsa’s, District 41, and Manhattan’s.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank Danielle Johnson, Owner of House of Marketing. Her professionalism, knowledge, and ability to meet her customers where they are, have certainly supported Empower All along its journey.

Website: www.EmpowerAllVA.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmPowerAllVA/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.