Founder & CEO

Shelton Watson is a visionary leader who has dedicated his career to driving social change and fostering social impact through his role as Founder and CEO at ARTSAVE, Inc. With a passion for human dignity, social justice, and a commitment to making the world a better place, Shelton has emerged as a force in the nonprofit world. 

The loss of his nephew to gun violence, and a deep-seated belief in  social responsibility, birthed his desire to create a meaningful and trauma-informed approach that led to social service leadership. He completed his Master's in Social Work, equipping himself with the knowledge and skills needed to address complex social issues.

Mr. Watson is a recognized Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the state of Connecticut, and currently, he is pursuing his License to become an LMSW in the state of New York. 

Shelton's non-traditional approach in service delivery, brought forth a person-centered, hands-on method to address youth gun violence. With his "Guided Pathways to Success" (GPS) model, Shelton understands that everyone navigates trauma differently, and requires specific avenues of healing; where healing comes by way of the the youth's interest in his or her GPS-Track.