Steven Shaw

Steven Shaw is a senior at Texas Southern University majoring in general studies. Post-graduation, he plans to pursue master’s degrees in both Social Work and Hotel Restaurant Management. He currently works at Hilton Americas Houston while attending school. In addition to his studies and paid employment, Steven volunteers for and is founding member of Voices for Change, a group primarily composed of young adults who aged out of the Texas foster care system who are dedicated to advocacy and improving the experience of youth in the foster care system. Steven also sits on Foster Youth in Action’s Leaders United team, a national advisory board for a coalition of sixteen youth-led organizations. Steven himself was in the Texas foster care system for 15 years. Steven has been privileged to speak in front of Congress and White House officials on numerous issues dealing with foster care. He played a key role in advocating for an ombudsman bill position in Texas, dedicated solely to children and youth in foster care. He has also participated in numerous panels and presentations that have increased awareness about foster care among community and state level stakeholders. He strives to show foster youth that they can thrive even if the road is tough.