Brown School student named finalist in fall 2024 Skandalaris Venture Competition

Christina Walker, a student in the Brown School’s 3-2 MSW program, has been named a finalist in the fall 2024 Skandalaris Venture Competition (SVC). Walker is the founder of a brand focused on uplifting, inspiring, and empowering girl and woman athletes worldwide. Her venture is one of 16 led by WashU students and recent alumni competing for up to $50,000 in funding. The winner will be announced Nov. 20 at the Washington University Innovation & Entrepreneurship Awards.

In the following Q&A, Walker shares her journey into entrepreneurship and what fuels her mission.

Could you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m Christina Walker from Atlanta, GA. I recently graduated from WashU with a BA in Psychological and Brain Sciences with a minor in Legal Studies. During undergrad, I was 2x president of the Black Women and Femmes Collective, 4x member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a three-year mentor for the Taylor Family Center for Student Success, and a four-year member of the women’s basketball team! I’m also a 3-2 student, currently completing my Master’s in Social Work with a concentration in mental health and a specialization in social entrepreneurship at the Brown School. My goal is to become a licensed therapist.

In my free time, I enjoy relaxing, listening to/making music, content creation, sleeping, and playing basketball. Additionally, I own my own brand and business, ChristInA Girl which is focused on uplifting, inspiring, and empowering girls and women. ChristInA Girl TV is the sports broadcasting sector of ChristInA Girl, where I cover women’s sports and conduct interviews with personalities in women’s sports, giving them a platform to share their stories.

What inspired you to start your venture, and what problem or challenge are you focused on solving?
I’ve always been passionate about mental health and women’s empowerment. My experiences as a dedicated student-athlete over the last 15 years truly shaped my perspective and passions. Being that this semester’s coursework is heavily focused on my social entrepreneurship specialization, this has given me ample time to reflect on how to combine my passions for maximum impact. As a result, 4 Her Sport was born.

Female athletes face unique internal and external pressures shaped by societal expectations, creating environments that often intensify mental health challenges. Research shows that female athletes experience more mental exhaustion, sadness, and anxiety than male athletes, with over a third isolating themselves due to a lack of support, negatively impacting their well-being and performance. 92% of schools lack adequate support, and without proper solutions, athletes are at greater risk of injury, burnout, and early withdrawal from sports. Schools also face financial strain as the cost of athlete maintenance rises. 4 Her Sport uses evidence-based methods to decrease mental health challenges for female athletes and improve their wellbeing and performance.

What inspired your journey into entrepreneurship?
I’ve had an entrepreneurial spirit from a very young age and always knew I wanted to own my own business, likely because I’ve always naturally gravitated toward leadership roles. Since ChristInA Girl has existed since 2009, I’ve always had a platform to explore entrepreneurship. My dad, with his many skills, talents, and personal brands, was also a big inspiration for my interest in entrepreneurship. I’m also especially grateful that I was able to build an academic plan in college that supported my interest in entrepreneurship and meet community members who have provided me with a plethora of resources as well!

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned since launching your venture?
Since starting 4 Her Sport, my biggest lesson has been that the real test of whether a business idea is right for you lies in if you are able to find the joy each day in the process, celebrating the small wins and finding the motivation to keep pushing forward bit by bit. I’ve learned that 4 Her Sport is “4” me.

Are there any activities, groups, professors, or classes that have significantly influenced you during your time at WashU?
First and foremost, I give all glory to God, as I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me! I have a long list of people and groups who have had a profound impact on me during my time at WashU, and I’m blessed to be able to recognize them here because I’m truly thankful!

• QuestBridge
• Taylor Family Center for Student Success
• Black Women and Femmes Collective
• Association for Black Students
• The WashU Women’s Basketball program and the entire Athletics department
• All of my professors! A very special shoutout to Aeryel Williams, Kit Wellman, Abram Van Engen, Peter Boumgarden, John Nestojko, Heather Cameron, Doug Villhard, Ebony Duncan-Shippy, Nigel Cook, Matt Fanning, Jewel Stafford, Nicole Gore and Chloé Risto!
• My beautiful sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and the ‘Oh So Elegant’ Omega Epsilon Chapter
• My wonderful friends!

Looking to the future, where do you see yourself and your venture in the next five years?
In five years, I see 4 Her Sport as a leading platform for female athlete mental health, partnered with schools and sports organizations nationwide, with a dedicated team driving our mission! Ideally, my other business, ChristInA Girl, will operate as a nonprofit, offering life coaching, mentorship, tutoring, therapy, and other resources to promote well-being for girls and women in need. I envision ChristInA Girl TV as a full-scale media company with a strong staff and wide reach! I hope to also own my private practice while continuing my broadcasting and interviews in women’s sports, helping to amplify women’s stories on a larger stage.

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Walker is actively seeking support for 4 Her Sport and welcomes help from developers, computer scientists, sales and marketing representatives, social media managers, talented writers, and anyone passionate about mental health and women’s sports.