Shawn Washington is from Palmdale, California, and is passionate about addressing racial and ethnic disparities and improving educational opportunities for youth in the foster care system. He dedicates his time to pursuing a degree in music education at California State University, Dominguez Hills, with the goal of becoming a teacher and giving back to his community.

Believing that every young person deserves equal access to opportunity, support, and a stable education, Shawn channels his passion into action through the National Foster Youth Institute (NFYI), focusing on raising awareness about inequities in the foster care system and advocating for policies that support foster youth in achieving academic and personal success. Outside of NFYI, Shawn continues to invest in his future as an educator while exploring ways music and mentorship can positively impact young people in his community.

Shawn also enjoys music, creative expression, and learning new ways to use the arts as a tool for connection and empowerment. Through the Congressional Leadership Academy, he hopes to gain leadership, policy, and advocacy skills that will strengthen his ability to effectively represent the voices of foster youth and work toward meaningful improvements in the child welfare system.