Our Own is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded on the principle that you can’t solve a problem with a single solution. Our communities have a long history of socioeconomic injustices that have created generational disparities; making it a challenge to advance in society. Our mission is to dismantle these systemic barriers and create the access needed in nutrition, education, entrepreneurship, maternal health, mental and physical fitness to further bridge the gap to ensure racial equity and social justice.
“Every cause is a good cause,
but we know Our Own is the cause
that will change the world!”
Meet Our Founders
Social Entrepreneurs and Cultural Producers Dustin Young & Lee Johnson founded and have led Our Own since 2018. With a wealth of experience, both are hyper focused on consistent impact for underserved communities.
After obtaining a degree in Psychology and Sociology, Dustin went on to work for various nonprofit organizations that focused on behavioral prevention with inner-city youth. Having a strong connection with the community and the traumas our youth face daily, he decided to dedicate his time to creating solutions that would build sustainable communities by utilizing non-traditional engagement strategies to assist with reducing stigmas related to mental, physical, and emotional health. What makes Dustin so passionate about the work he is doing in the community, is having the ability to see growth and the trajectory shift of individuals after creating access to resources and opportunities. Dustin Young truly wants to change the narrative of the communities we come from and create the legacies that sustain success for generations to come.
Following a move to California, Lee launched a consulting firm focused on brand development and marketing. He used that success to impact the community with independent community initiatives before joining Our Own. With a present creative spirt, Lee continues to work toward developing community programming for Our Own in Los Angeles and across the country. His business experience and years of living in abhorrent conditions allows him to uniquely understand how to create opportunities that show those in the community “the possibility of a possibility.” His goal is to turn the overlooked into the overachievers.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dustin Young
Founder
Lee Johnson
Co-Founder
Reana Jenkins
Nike
Noelle Bailey
Sony Music
Golden Brown
Meta
Lauren Fletcher
Inglewood School District
Kinta Gates
Glossier
Chantel Diaz
AEG
Sharada Maddox
Nike
Marissa Wallace
Public Relations
Neysa Gant
Accenture
Tia Mc’Neill
Philanthropist
ADVISORY BOARD
Marley Webb
viaClover
Alayne Sampson
Chandler Asset Group
Staci Strickland
NFL
Jonathan Dane
Klient Boost
LaNeé Griffin
Parker Paige Media
Anthony Gaskins
Brentwood School
Brooke James
Amazon
Derek Swainer
Los Homies
Gavin Mathieu
Supervsn
DJ McClain
LAUSD
Melissa Mallari
Adidas
Eva Penuelas
Dobby Garden Foundation