Rozalyn Shepard’s lifelong dedication to community empowerment and transformative leadership forms the bedrock of Rise Network Community Development Corp.’s mission to cultivate future leaders and drive workforce development. With a distinguished career spanning decades, Rozalyn has consistently demonstrated an unparalleled ability to envision, establish, and scale initiatives that deliver profound societal impact.
Rozalyn’s journey began with a foundational commitment to community development, where her instrumental role in establishing the first office and outreach ministry for her church led to the rapid growth of Urban Upbound. This ministry, which she spearheaded, transformed from a storefront operation into a million-dollar institution, now operating 31 satellite offices and a federal credit union, providing essential tools for economic empowerment in New York City.
Her strategic acumen extends to the political sphere, where she has advised elected officials and candidates across various levels, including gubernatorial, mayoral, state legislative, and city council races. Her international experience includes training as an ambassador by a UN Diplomat and representing the head of a country.
Rozalyn’s commitment to nurturing young talent is further exemplified by her decade-long internship program, the Rise Network Internship Program (founded in 2014). Through this program, she has directly managed Team Leadership, Mentorship, and Management programs for high school and college students, personally mentoring and preparing them to become ethical, effective emerging leaders across various industries within corporate America. This hands-on approach directly aligns with Rise Network CDC’s goals of equipping youth with the skills and mindset necessary for success.
Furthermore, her involvement in mediating a major music industry dispute (involving Jay-Z, Nas, and Cam’ron) led to involvement in a groundbreaking gun and gang violence prevention program. This initiative, adopted by the NYPD, contributed to a 50% reduction in gun violence and a 6% increase in graduation rates during Mayor Bloomberg’s administration. This demonstrates her ability to create impactful programs that directly benefit youth and improve educational outcomes.
Beyond direct program implementation, Rozalyn’s strategic vision has consistently led to the formation and growth of influential organizations. She assisted in the founding of the first chapter of the Madam C.J. Walker Foundation for Entrepreneurs, showcasing her dedication to advancing economic empowerment and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Beyond her program implementation and consultancy, Rozalyn is an author, with her debut book, “LIFEGUARD: Your Inner Child,” that is slated for the Best Seller list, is already credited with preventing two suicides during its beta phase. This reflects her holistic approach to empowering success, addressing not only external opportunities but also internal healing and resilience.
Her current work focuses on a Strategic Partnership in Workforce Development & Community Safety. Her primary focus is workforce development, student mentorship, youth violence reduction, and building sustainable communities prepared with a viable workforce for long-term growth.
Rozalyn Shepard’s extensive background in community development, political strategy, and youth empowerment provides a robust foundation for Rise Network Community Development Corp. Her proven ability to initiate, manage, and scale impactful programs, coupled with her unwavering dedication to fostering positive change, positions the organization for significant success in its mission to develop next generation workforce and entrepreneurship excellence. Donors can be confident in supporting a non-profit led by an individual with a verifiable track record of creating lasting, positive societal transformation.