FOUNDER
Shanika Aiken
Shanika Aiken was born in White Plains, New York. At the age of ten, she moved to Orangeburg, South Carolina where she currently resides. She graduated with Honors from Claflin University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice Administration. Shanika is a certified facilitator for Girl Circle by the One Foundation Circle. Girl Circle is a support group that encourages resiliency and healthy relationships in pre-teen and adolescent girls and young women.
Shanika's Story
In 2014, Shanika founded the SAFE Organization. SAFE (Self-esteem, Advocacy, Faith and Education) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization established to provide mentorship and educational services to youth in Orangeburg and surrounding counties. Since the inception of SAFE, numerous lives of youth has been impacted. In 2015, a Youth Advisory Board was created to give youth the opportunity to utilize their leadership abilities and to serve their community. SAFE’s goal is to provide resources and tools which will equip and enable each youth to lead a productive life.
Furthermore, she served as a Volunteer Auxiliary Probation Officer for the Department of Juvenile Justice. She was a member of the Orangeburg Coalition for Youth Empowerment and the Orangeburg Community Action Group formulated for advocates for the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Shanika, also teaches a Nonprofit class to those who want to start a nonprofit.
Shanika is married to the love of her life, Marion Aiken. They own and operate several businesses such as Love Expressions Yard Signs, Marion’s Southern Food Cart and MAS Backyard Entertainment. Their motto is: Bringing Families Together! Shanika enjoys traveling, exercising, spending time with family and serving at her church.