Black Youth Motivator & Women’s Right’s Advocate

Samantha Paige Davis is a strong advocate for low income communities and people of color, in particular women and youth. In 2013, she founded The Black Swan Academy (BSA), a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a pipeline of black youth civic leaders, committed to improving themselves, as well as, the communities in which they live. Under her leadership, BSA is serving over 40 youth in out-of-school time programming and reaching nearly 2,200 DC residents through workshops, community forums and high impact service events. Their youth-led advocacy work focuses on intra-community violence, police violence and education reform.

Professionally, Samantha is currently serving as the Field Engagement Manager for YWCA USA. In this capacity she leads the development of state-level advocacy initiatives, as well as, strategically mobilizes their over 220 associations to move federal legislation around issues of racial justice and women’s empowerment. In her leadership positions on a number of city-wide coalitions, her efforts have resulted in legislative and budgetary improvements for SNAP (food stamps), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), Adult Education, Career Pathways, Senior Services, and Affordable Housing.

Within the community, Samantha is an avid volunteer and philanthropist, contributing in time and financially to organizations. She served as the first ever Civic Engagement Chair of Thursday Network- Young Professionals Auxiliary of the Greater Washington Urban League. Her work has been recognized by the Women’s Information Network (WIN), Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, Brightest Young Things, and the Greater Washington Urban League.

She stands strong in her belief that everyone has the innate ability to succeed in life; all they need is the opportunity to do so. Samantha is committed to ensuring those opportunities are accessible to all.