Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicoshia Wynn.
Hi Nicoshia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey began during my teenage years. I’ve always had a deep passion for youth, the arts, and education. I grew up in Milwaukee, where I attended arts schools, participated in the thriving Boys & Girls Club at Sherman Park, played basketball, and embraced music. Over time, I developed a heart for service—a value deeply rooted in my family and especially my mother. We were always involved in giving back through church and community work.
Personally, I’ve mentored youth, created youth mentoring programs, supervised summer and after-school programs, volunteered with initiatives focused on underserved youth, and coached girls’ basketball at camps and high schools.
As a first-generation college graduate, I earned my Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and my Master’s in Management from The College of St. Scholastica.
Over the past 20+ years, I’ve worked in higher education, K–12 schools, and the corporate sector in roles ranging from admission counselor and multicultural coordinator to human resources, leadership development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). I’ve consistently been committed to helping professionals and young people grow and succeed.
In recent years, I became even more motivated to make a difference after the birth of my youngest son, who spent critical time in the NICU. That experience changed my life. It reminded me just how essential it is to have a strong support system, access to resources, and hope during uncertain times. It was during that period that the idea for Relentless Academy came to life—not just as a passion project, but as a legacy of resilience, community, and empowerment.
I founded Relentless Academy in 2019—a nonprofit organization centered on youth, arts, and education. Our mission is to prepare the next generation of leaders for S.M.A.R.T. (Science, Math, Art, Reading, Technology) proficiency and to close the academic and wealth gap for underserved communities.
This year, we are proudly celebrating our 5th anniversary of operations and 6 years total since our founding. It has been an incredible journey of growth and impact. We’ve established two educational scholarships specifically for Relentless Academy alumni and recently launched our Mogul City Youth Internship Program, which provides high school students with real-world career exploration, mentorship, and leadership training.
My hope is to create powerful academic, social, and emotional experiences that ignite a passion in youth—to help them become S.M.A.R.T., fiscally responsible leaders the world will need for generations to come.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many, I’ve faced my share of challenges—moments that tested my strength, faith, and identity. There were personal and family struggles that deeply shaped who I am and the path I’ve chosen.
One of the most defining moments came with the birth of our youngest son. He was born significantly premature, weighing just 1 pound and 14 ounces. You could literally hold him in the palm of your hand. He spent four long months in the NICU. I wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone—it was incredibly stressful, traumatic, and at times, downright heartbreaking. As a mother, it was one of the hardest seasons of my life.
But through it all, we leaned on faith. God saw fit for our son to be with us today, and we are eternally grateful and blessed. That experience didn’t break us—it made us stronger. It ignited a deeper sense of purpose in me and inspired the foundation of Relentless Academy.
I’ve come to believe that every obstacle is an opportunity for growth and success. That mindset has carried me through life’s storms and brought me to where I am today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Relentless Academy?
I founded Relentless Academy in December of 2019 in response to a personal challenge that I found echoed throughout my community. As a mother of three, I struggled to find affordable, accessible academic summer camps that would help my children retain what they had learned and prepare for the next school year. After speaking with other parents, I quickly realized that this wasn’t just my concern—it was a widespread issue. During this time, I began to research the deeper systemic challenges in Minnesota and learned some alarming truths. Students of color in the state continue to lag behind their counterparts in academic performance, and for certain ethnic groups, Minnesota ranks among the lowest in the nation in educational success. Many of the summer programs available through public schools were not academically focused but more socially oriented, leaving a critical gap in learning continuity.
I also discovered that a lack of financial literacy instruction in K–12 schools has long-term consequences, particularly in communities of color. This gap contributes significantly to the growing wealth divide. In addition, I found that fields like technology, engineering, and actuarial science—careers that require abstract thinking, logical reasoning, and detailed attention—are experiencing a shortage of qualified and interested candidates. Unfortunately, courses in subjects like coding and robotics remain inaccessible for many underserved students due to high costs and limited availability. These challenges, compounded by persistent poverty in areas like Hennepin County, paint a clear picture of why change is urgently needed.
With these realities in mind, I launched Relentless Academy, a Twin Cities-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on youth, arts, and education. I designed a tuition-free S.M.A.R.T. (Science, Math, Art, Reading, Technology) academic summer program that serves students in grades K–12. The program is infused with music and financial literacy education to engage students holistically and equip them with the tools they need to thrive academically and economically. In just our most recent program year, we delivered over 270 hours of academic and enrichment instruction. As a result, 96% of students maintained or improved their academic performance, and 97% were introduced to coding or robotics for the first time. One of our proudest moments was seeing a student from our program selected for the University of Minnesota’s Girls in Leadership Series in recognition of her work in the community and through Relentless Academy.
This year marks our fifth year of operations and six years total since our founding—a milestone we are incredibly proud of. We have since established two educational scholarships for Relentless Academy alumni and recently launched the Mogul City Youth Internship Program. This initiative provides high school students with leadership training, career exploration, and real-world project development opportunities to further prepare them for life after graduation. What sets Relentless Academy apart is our commitment to removing barriers to academic success and wealth-building for underserved youth. We’re not just preparing students for the next grade—we’re preparing them for the next decade.
At our core, we believe in creating powerful academic, social, and emotional experiences that ignite a passion in youth to become S.M.A.R.T. and fiscally responsible leaders. Our vision is to ensure that every young person—regardless of income, background, or circumstance—has the opportunity to lead, thrive, and change the world.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Behind every success story is a village of support, and I am incredibly grateful for the people who have poured into me and helped shape both my personal journey and the growth of Relentless Academy. One person who holds a special place in our story is Harry Oden, a beloved community advocate and mentor whose wisdom, compassion, and belief in young people left a lasting impact on my life and leadership. To honor his legacy, we established an educational scholarship in his name—one that will continue to support and empower the next generation of leaders for years to come.
My mother has also been one of my greatest inspirations. Her unwavering passion for giving back and her dedication to service have been the blueprint for much of what I strive to embody in my own work. My grandmother was another guiding light—always encouraging me to pursue my goals with confidence and faith, even when the road seemed uncertain. She reminded me that I had a purpose and something meaningful to offer the world.
My family, especially my husband, has been an incredible source of strength. He is my rock—constantly supporting my dreams, anchoring me during moments of doubt, and celebrating every milestone with humility and grace. His belief in me has made it possible to keep moving forward, even when the journey felt overwhelming.
I also owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to Pastor Renee Franzen and Brookdale Covenant Church, who opened their doors to me at a critical moment. Their generosity and willingness to share their space gave me the opportunity to plant the seeds of Relentless Academy and begin building something that could grow, thrive, and serve our community. That act of faith and support created the foundation for everything that has followed.
Relentless Academy is more than just an organization—it’s the result of love, encouragement, and belief from people who saw the vision and chose to walk alongside me. I carry their impact with me in everything I do.
Pricing:
- One Time Regisration Fee: $250 per child
- Tuition: FREE
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.relentlessacademy.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relentlessacademymn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/relentlessacademymn
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/75453896/admin/dashboard/
