Shawn Waiters is a storyteller at heart, a hospitality leader by profession, and an author whose life journey has been shaped by resilience, faith, and the search for truth.

Raised in New York City, Shawn grew up navigating poverty, loss, and the unanswered questions that come with not knowing where you come from. For nearly four decades, he searched for his father — a face he had never seen and a name that lived mostly in whispers.

On August 6, 2022, everything changed.

After 39 years of searching, Shawn discovered his biological father’s family and learned he had nineteen siblings. What began as a search for answers became a deeply emotional journey of healing, connection, and understanding that every chapter of his life had been leading him toward a powerful full circle moment.

Today, Shawn shares his story through his memoir, The Saturday I Found My Father, a powerful reflection on identity, family, faith, and the courage it takes to confront the unknown. His journey reached a national audience when he appeared on Karamo, where he shared his story of discovery and reconciliation.

Beyond his writing, Shawn has spent more than two decades building a career in hospitality leadership, believing that true leadership begins with empathy, service, and human connection.

Through his brand Full Circle: From Discovery to Wholeness, Shawn is creating space for conversations about identity, healing, and purpose. Through storytelling, speaking, and his upcoming podcast, he hopes to inspire others to confront their fears, reconnect with their roots, and believe that their story matters.

Because sometimes the answers we search for our entire lives are waiting just on the other side of courage