From Foster Care to Advocacy Using AI: Amnoni's Story

Mar 7, 2025

Amani (Amnoni) Myers, a serial entrepreneur and child welfare advocate, shares her transformative journey from foster care to impactful advocacy. She reveals the challenges youth face transitioning out of foster care, emphasizing the vital role of community support. Amani highlights her innovative startup, Launch Ahead, which uses AI to streamline transition planning and improve access to essential documents. She encourages listeners to get involved and support foster youth, blending personal stories with actionable insights for change.

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ANECDOTE

Trash Bags On The Porch

Amani returned home at 18 to find her belongings in black trash bags on the porch, marking a brutal transition to adulthood.
That moment propelled her into advocacy and later internships on Capitol Hill and the White House Domestic Policy Council.

ANECDOTE

Capitol Hill Moment

While interning on Capitol Hill Amani met other foster youth and realized these challenges were systemic, not personal failures.
A senator highlighted her story on the U.S. Senate floor, which deepened her advocacy path.

INSIGHT

Digitize To Break System Silos

Launch Ahead centralizes transition planning, assessment, document storage, and a case manager dashboard to reduce siloed work.
Digital tools can let caseworkers track progress in real time and prevent missed opportunities for youth.

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Episode Takeaways:

Experiences are often your best teachers.
Transitioning out of foster care can be devastating.
Advocacy is propelled by shared stories.
Community support is crucial for young people.
Technology (AI) can streamline child welfare processes.
Access to basic documents is essential for independence.
Young people in foster care often lack normal experiences.
Resilience is built through overcoming challenges.
Affirmations can help combat imposter syndrome.
Everyone can contribute to supporting youth in foster care.

About Amnoni:

Amnoni L. Myers, MPA, is a serial entrepreneur, best-selling author, child welfare advocate, public speaker, and consultant. She is the founder of You Are The Prize, a professional speaking and consulting firm, and the visionary behind Launch Ahead, an innovative startup dedicated to supporting youth in foster care as they transition into adulthood.

A Boston, Massachusetts native, Amnoni now resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma through the Tulsa Remote program, relocating from California in 2021. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the National Urban Fellows Program in Manhattan, New York. As part of this prestigious fellowship, she was placed at The California Endowment in Oakland, where she worked on the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative to advance opportunities for young boys and men of color.

As a consultant, Amnoni brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to child welfare reform. Having aged out of the foster care system herself, she later returned as a professional, leading policy and advocacy efforts to reimagine a more equitable system. She previously worked with the U.S. Children’s Bureau as a child welfare policy consultant and held internships at both Capitol Hill and the White House Domestic Policy Council, where she drafted impactful policy recommendations aimed at improving the child welfare system.

Amnoni is a graduate of Gordon College, where she double-majored in Social Work and Sociology and completed a Social Work and Peace and Conflict Studies Practicum in San Francisco. She has also studied Race, Class, and Gender in South Africa, further deepening her commitment to justice and systemic change.

She is the author of the best-selling book, "You Are The Prize: Seeing Yourself Beyond the Imperfections of Your Trauma," and has delivered powerful keynote addresses at major events and institutions nationwide, inspiring countless individuals through her story of resilience and empowerment.

Recently, she was selected as a finalist for the 2025 SXSW Pitch, a testament to her innovation and dedication to social impact. Her dedication to advocacy and entrepreneurship has earned her numerous awards, including:

● The Re-Envisioning Foster Care Champion Award

● The National Urban Fellows Ron Gonzalez Memorial Fund Leadership Award

● The Philip J. Award

● The Marlene Matreese Rockstar of the Year Award

● Tulsa Remote’s Most Outstanding Member of the Year Award

● TEDC’s Mortar Entrepreneurial Spirit Award

● Tulsa, Oklahoma’s 2023 Game Changer Award

Through her work, Amnoni remains committed to empowering communities, increasing access to opportunity, and reshaping systems that have historically marginalized vulnerable populations. Whether through her consulting, speaking engagements, or entrepreneurial ventures, she is a driving force for systemic change and social impact.

Donate to Amnoni's GoFundMe to get to SXSW. The cost of travel, lodging, food has increased tremendously, and every dollar counts!

Follow Amnoni on Social Media:

Instagram

EPISODE CREDITS:

Produced and edited by Ashley Coffey. Cover art designed by Ashley Coffey.

Headshot by Brandlink Media

Introduction music composed and produced by Ashley Coffey

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