New programs designed by Creative Artist and Entrepreneur Shyan Selah to benefit black business and youth in South King County are moving forward with help from key members in the Washington State Legislature for 2022-2023. 

Both the Black Business Eco Chamber (Business Incubator) and The Artist Workshop are the creations of Selah who is the President/CEO of Brave New World Enterprises and the Founder of The Selah Shyan Foundation, from which each program originates respectively.

Selah has long collaborated with Washington State Representative Jesse Johnson (D – 30th District) in education outreach programs for their collective hometown of Federal Way, WA. Now the two community leaders are partnered to make sure these new programs mark a concentrated effort to not just fill the gaps in outreach for youth and young adults of color, but also serve as feasible pathways to economic empowerment for African Americans in Washington State.

“Washington communities are still hurting. But we have all stuck out this pandemic together, and now it is time we recover together,” says Representative Johnson. This includes supporting our young people in navigating a new economy and world.  An important component of that work is allowing young people in the creative arts space.  That is why I am proud to partner with Brave New World and the Shyan Selah Foundation in championing a budget proviso to provide dollars for young people to participate in the Artist Workshop program teaching them skills in the arts and music entertainment industry. This request is also supported by the Black Members Caucus and we have also advocated to the Governor’s Office to support this endeavor for young people in our state.”

Produced by the Shyan Selah Foundation (TheSelahFoundation.org) with the intention of providing a solid education and career pathway development regarding industry infrastructure in the professional entertainment arts and digital tech industries, The Artist Workshop for Entertainment Artists and Entrepreneurs includes a series of workshops regarding all elements of the music, tv/film, digital tech/ social media/ fashion, and professional sports industries for 14 – 21 year old participants. 

Likewise, the Black Business Eco Chamber is a new business incubator formed by Brave New World Enterprises, providing technical and professional assistance including job placement training in construction, waste management, business development, intellectual property, brand development, franchise development and outreach for black-owned businesses in Washington State. 

Both programs are slated to be fully launched in February 2022 in honor of Black History Month.

“There is not only an urgent need but also a deep hope simmering in the community,” says Shyan Selah. “The pandemic has totally upended social norms for us all, but has in particular for the black community both triggered cultural trauma that stems from economic dis-enfranchisement and lack of equitable opportunity. We aim to be solution developers engineering new ways to re-imagine equity. The creative arts industry is comprised of everything from Music and Film to Social and Digital Tech and Fashion. The Artist Workshop opens unique doors and integrates professional development and career pathways that will help to turn that collective hope into interactive dream building. Having support from our elected officials adds much needed warmth and light in a historically cold, dim and damp space. Our communities are chalked full of unrealized talent looking for opportunity. We’re excited to have both the Artist Workshop and our Black Business Eco-Chamber moving in a position to receive and facilitate the growth and betterment of our community in a time such as this. I am thankful for the support of Rep. Johnson and the Black Members Caucus as well as the Governor’s Office for their confidence in these programs.”

For more information about the Black Business Eco Chamber, contact info@bnwglobal.com.

For more information about the Artist Workshop, contact info@theselahfoundation.org.