About

Pro Se Potential

Kowsar Abshir

Executive Director

Shannon Nash

Board Chair

Javier Montoya

Board vice Chair

Mahad Mohamed

Board Treasurer

Caleb Carhart

Board Secretary

Our Origin:

Pro Se Potential was born out of survival, transformation, and the belief that change is possible for everyone.

At 22 years old, our founder was facing a life sentence. They fired their attorney, studied the law, and successfully represented themselves as a pro se litigant — beating their most serious charges.

While serving six years in prison, they mentored incarcerated youth with goal sheets, books, and vision plans — planting the seeds for Pro Se Potential.

After release, their story and self-help book, *Pro Se: The Art of Becoming More,* reached and inspired youth nationally.

Community leaders encouraged turning it into something bigger — and Pro Se Potential was born.

 

Team:

- Kowsar Abshir – Executive Director
- Ron Howell – Program Manager
- Genaro Castaneda – Peer Partner

CORE bELIEF

Every young person has the potential to be great — they just need someone to hold up the mirror and help them see it.

OUR MISSION

To end gun violence and recidivism among Black and Brown youth and young adults through mentorship, healing, and opportunity.

FAQs

  • 1) Does Pro Se Potential only service African American youth?

    No, pro se potential services youth of any background who come from BIPOC communities and/ or have been system impacted.

  • 2) Do you have to join a program to get a mentor?

    Pro Se Potential is a mentoring program in itself. You do not have to participate in any one of our cohorts in order to be assigned a mentor or receive services from a resource navigator. However, you must be open minded and willing to work on your goal plan once assigned.

  • 3) Can out-of-state youth get involved in pro se potential programming?

    Unfortunately, for now, Pro Se is strictly a Washington state, King County serving organization.