Shem lives in the Hudson Valley with his wife and two children, where they enjoy the outdoors, training capoeira, and contributing to FAM a local community-based cooperative in Newburgh.

His two boys often inspire him to continue pursuing experiential learning and play, reinforcing his commitment to fostering strong, interconnected communities.

Shem’s journey from a curious child in Trinidad & Tobago to a design leader in New York City has been shaped by a passion for building and empowering communities. At 11, he moved to Harlem, NY, where his involvement with HarlemLive, a renowned youth journalism organization, nurtured him into a community leader and advocate. This experience led him to Public Allies, an AmeriCorps organization, where he partnered with local groups focused on youth and community development. His early exposure to technology and social impact paved the way for his education at Parsons School of Design, where he majored in Communications Design and Technology, honing his skills as a Product Designer.

Following his studies, Shem co-founded BKLYN BEAST, the East Coast’s first urban movement facility, further solidifying his commitment to community building and empowerment. As a regenerative designer, he applies strategy, research, and systems thinking to co-create solutions that empower communities from within. This approach, aligned with his mission to build and deepen community from the inside out, has been instrumental in his work with software companies focusing on Education and Technology. Today, Shem uses his design expertise to build communities and lead teams across public and private sectors, always with the goal of restoring hope, faith, and love.

His goal is to make a real impact through heartfelt communication, design excellence, and operational strategy—continuing the journey from building toys as a child to creating impactful products and teams as a professional. Throughout this journey, Shem remains committed to his vision of restoring hope, faith, and above all, love in every community he touches.