Today we’d like to introduce you to India Boston-Johnson.
Hi India, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
India Boston-Johnson is the Founder and CEO of Empowering Young Parents Inc. (EYP), a nonprofit organization created to uplift, support, and advocate for young parents and their children.
EYP was born out of lived experience and a deep understanding of the challenges young parents face. My parents were young parents . I became a young parent at the age of 17 and I quickly realized that while love and determination were present, access to resources, guidance, and judgment-free support was often missing. I saw firsthand how young parents are frequently overlooked, underestimated, and forced to navigate parenthood, education, and financial stability without a strong support system.
Instead of allowing those challenges to define me , I turned them into purpose.
I founded Empowering Young Parents Inc. to create the safe space she once needed one where young parents are met with compassion, education, and real resources rather than stigma. EYP focuses on empowering parents ages 14–24 by providing parenting education, life skills, mentorship, community support, and access to essential resources that help families thrive, not just survive.
My vision is rooted in the belief that young parents are capable, resilient, and deserving of opportunity. Through workshops, support groups, partnerships, and advocacy, EYP works to break generational cycles, strengthen families, and build confident parents who can lead healthy, stable households.
As a leader, I am passionate, community-driven, and committed to walking alongside the families I serve. My mission is simple but powerful: to ensure young parents feel seen, supported, and empowered to create better futures for themselves and their children.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, the journey of building Empowering Young Parents Inc. has not been a smooth road—and that reality is an important part of the story.
Like many grassroots nonprofit founders, India faced challenges such as limited funding, lack of initial support, and the constant need to prove the legitimacy and impact of the work. Thankfully I have a great support system. My husband and family . Krista Hooten, our Executive Assistant and Mentor, has been instrumental to the growth of Empowering Young Parents Inc. She consistently transforms vision into action with care, excellence, and unwavering support.
Chasady Dabney has taken on mentor responsibilities with commitment and consistency, remaining a steadfast presence within our organization. We are deeply thankful for their dedication and impact.since . Building a nonprofit while balancing motherhood, being a new wife , personal responsibilities, and community demands required resilience, sacrifice, and faith. There were moments of burnout, self-doubt, and doors that closed unexpectedly.
One of the biggest struggles was combating stigma. Young parents are often judged or underestimated, and advocating for their needs meant pushing back against harmful narratives while fighting for resources in spaces where their voices were rarely prioritized. Additionally, growing EYP from an idea into a structured organization required learning systems, compliance, fundraising, and leadership—often without a blueprint or safety net.
Despite these challenges, We remained committed to the mission. Each obstacle became a lesson, strengthening the organization’s foundation and clarifying its purpose. Community partnerships, small wins, and the impact seen in the lives of young parents served as constant reminders that the work was necessary and meaningful.
Today, EYP stands as proof that purpose can be built through perseverance. The challenges did not stop the mission—they shaped it. And through every struggle, India’s vision has remained clear: to create lasting change for young parents and their families.
As you know, we’re big fans of Empowering Young Parents Inc . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Empowering Young Parents Inc. (EYP) is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and uplifting young parents ages 14- 25 and their children. Our mission is to ensure young parents feel seen, supported, and equipped with the tools they need to thrive—emotionally, financially, and generationally.
At EYP, we specialize in holistic support. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we meet young parents where they are and provide real, practical resources that address their everyday needs. Our programs focus on parenting education, life-skills development, mentorship, workforce readiness, and community support. From car seat safety education and essential baby supplies to resume workshops, support groups, and family-centered events, our goal is to remove barriers and create stability for young families.
What sets EYP apart is our lived-experience leadership and our judgment-free approach. The organization was founded by a young parent, for young parents. We understand the challenges our community faces because we have lived them. Our services are built on trust, cultural understanding, and respect—never shame or assumptions. We prioritize relationship-building and long-term impact over temporary fixes.
EYP is also known for creating safe spaces. We intentionally build environments where young parents can ask questions, grow, and connect without fear of being judged or overlooked. Through our support groups, workshops, and partnerships, we foster confidence, leadership, and a sense of belonging.
Brand-wise, we are most proud of the community trust we have built. Families know that when they come to EYP, they are receiving genuine support, advocacy, and resources that truly make a difference. Our brand represents resilience, empowerment, and hope—and we are proud to be a voice for young parents who are often unheard.
What we want readers to know is simple: young parents are capable, determined, and deserving of opportunity. Empowering Young Parents Inc. exists to change the narrative, strengthen families, and help build brighter futures—one parent, one child, and one community at a time.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is impact over appearance—making sure the work we do genuinely changes lives, not just looks good on paper.
I care deeply about ensuring young parents feel seen, supported, and valued, especially in spaces where they are often overlooked or judged. Too many young parents are forced to navigate parenthood without guidance, resources, or encouragement, and that lack of support doesn’t just affect them—it affects their children and entire communities. That is why this work matters to me on a personal level.
I am also deeply committed to breaking generational cycles. When young parents are empowered with education, confidence, and stability, they are better positioned to raise healthy, secure children. That ripple effect can transform families for generations, and being part of that change is what drives me every day.
What matters most is building something that lasts—an organization rooted in integrity, compassion, and purpose. Empowering Young Parents Inc. is not just a nonprofit to me; it is a promise to young families that they are not alone and that their futures matter.
That’s why I do this work. Not for recognition, but for real, lasting change.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://empoweringyoungparentsinc.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringyoungparentsinc_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078997124338
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweringyoungparents
