Shawanna Vaughn , From Prison to Forbes is the Founder and Director of Silent Cry Inc.
A native of Bakersfield,California currently residing in New York State . A zealous advocate
for social justice, women’s health and an advocate for children in the foster care system.

Silent Cry Inc. is the product of the tears that Ms. Vaughn has shed while overcoming pain and
hardships of incarceration and the death of her brother Albert Phillips Jr. to gang initiation caused by a young man.

As a former foster care child and formerly incarcerated, Shawanna has been impacted by the senseless violence and witnessed horrifying events when she was once the “property of the state.”
Vaughn has turned her tragedies into branches of healing; when she speaks, roses are breaking roots through concrete when it comes to her advocacy work, she puts on that velvet glove and sting like a bee.
Shawanna’s life has been a journey that has led her to many places and endless opportunities where she can use her voice for justice and for the people whose tongues are bridle. With a passion for spoken word, civic engagement, visual arts and literature are branches that you will see in her labor of work.

Vaughn holds membership with Peace and Justice Studies and Confined Arts Project. She has
worked with Columbia University Business School and their law school on prison reform and criminal justice issues.

As a cancer survivor and someone who has witnessed the health disparities in the medical field, Vaughn has protested on the health disparities against women of color.

Post-traumatic prison disorder Shawanna W76337 is a bill that Vaughn is campaigning to get enacted, her core advocacy is speaking for the disenfranchised ,especially when it’s dealing with the mental health of those who are incarcerated and formerly incarcerated.

What inspired the start of “Silent Cry Inc”?
The inspiration for Silent Cry Inc was the need to be heard when the world views you as invisible. Knowing that in a room full of people my pain was unseen or heard which for me left me vulnerable. No more Silent Cries.

What has been the biggest challenge of running a brand like “Silent Cry Inc”?
The biggest challenge of running an organization like Silent Cry would be funding and a strong board to commit to the betterment of humanity. Without large donors it’s challenging yet we manage to serve the communities and cherish the ability to move forward with dignity for all and a better outcome for all we serve.

How does “Silent Cry Inc” impact the community?
Silent Cry impacts the community by being available. We serve Those incarcerated and formally incarcerated those who are economically challenged Are those for lack of better words who are in transition of permanent housing incorrectly on the streets. We aim to make strides in the mental health community of those impacted by violence. And the Foster care system is near and dear to my heart. This is our core mission. But as we can we serve all of humanity.

Where do you hope to see your brand in the next 3-5 years?
In 3 to 5 years we would like to see silent cry As an International organization that is making astronomical changes within the legislative body. It’s arriving organization that’s pushing the need to make long-term change. We plan to own a farm as an alternative to incarceration. Which would allow us to provide food where they are food insecurities for the biopic communities as well as alternatives to medication through holistic treatments and natural remedies that come through farming and agriculture.

What advice do you have for the next generation of entrepreneurs?
I will tell the next generation of entrepreneurs never to give up on their dreams everything worth having is hard work and when nothing pans out try again. Failure is not an option. If your mind has no limits there are no boundaries and borders only obstacles and roadmaps to conquer.

Connect with them on social media at Silent Cry Inc