Shawn Bankston Jr. is seen as a real-life superhero by his family and people across the country. However, he always credits his parents for instilling strong values in him and his faith in God for guiding his path. At a young age, Shawn faced the challenge of caring for his mother as she battled stage 3 lung cancer, forcing him to put his NFL football and music dreams on hold. Instead of giving up, he became even more determined to pursue a life of true freedom and success.

He didn’t take the easy road. Since starting at just 17yrs old and becoming fully self-employed by 24yrs old , his journey stands out, especially when only 3.5% of Black-owned businesses are run by owners under 35, according to a U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey (2019). His success honors his late grandfather, Thomas Holmes, while defying the odds for young Black entrepreneurs.

In November 2011, Shawn founded Bankston Enterprise, where he has become a master at launching businesses across America. Whether speaking at conferences, in coffee shops, or on stage, Shawn shares his passion for entrepreneurship. What makes Shawn truly remarkable is his unwavering belief in himself, even during challenging times. He shows us that with determination and resilience, dreams can absolutely come true.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬