A powerful reflection on founding Noble Second Chances, revealing how personal survival from gun and domestic violence transformed into purposeful leadership. Discover how resilience, vulnerability, and unwavering belief in mission create lasting impact beyond numbers.
Her Story
About Xena
Xena Benjamin is the founder of Noble Second Chances, an organization dedicated to addressing domestic violence and gun violence that she launched in 2024. With more than seven years of experience in the field, she previously spent five to six years in crisis management with 696 Build Queensbridge, where she advocated for gun violence prevention across New York City, and later worked in social work shelters progressing from residential aide to case manager. As a survivor of gun violence and domestic violence, Benjamin provides 24-hour crisis support, facilitates weekly mental health support groups focused on healing and trauma, and builds the grassroots nonprofit using personal funding while managing multiple roles. She earned her GED and is currently enrolled full-time in a bachelor's program in nonprofit management, with graduation expected at the end of 2027; she was recently inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa sorority. Benjamin attributes her success to her younger self and emphasizes values of accountability, trust, and being family-oriented in both her professional and personal life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Xena
01What do you attribute your success to?
I owe it to my younger self. I literally came so far. I remember doubting myself so bad when I was younger. Now I'm making up for it, and this is for the younger me that had to endure all of what I went through.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Always know how to reset. When you master that, life becomes so much more easier. Just knowing how to reset, no matter how angry you are, sad, anything, just knowing how to reset.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't wait until you feel ready. Start where you are. And with whatever you have. Because when I thought about my nonprofit, I had like what, $300? And I was like I'm still gonna go apply for my 501c3, and I'm still gonna make this happen.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Not having a team at this point. I'm playing 7 different roles. I'm scared of burnout. Building a grassroots nonprofit from the ground up with no funding, using personal funding.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Accountability, trust, and being family-oriented. Knowing how to hold yourself accountable makes room for less drama. I'm very family-oriented.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Xena
My Pain Didn’t Define Me , It Directed Me
From Survival to Service: How Personal Tragedy Became the Foundation for Building a Movement of Second Chances
People often see the title "Founder" and assume the journey was smooth. What they don't see are the sleepless nights, the uncertainty, the sacrifices, and the moments when giving up seemed like the easier option.
I didn't create Noble Second Chances because I wanted to start a nonprofit. I created it because I saw too many people falling through the cracks. As someone who has survived both gun violence and domestic violence, I know what it feels like to wonder whether anyone truly sees you. I also know what it feels like to need someone to believe in you before you can believe in yourself. For a long time, I thought my painful experiences were chapters I wanted to forget. Eventually, I realized they were preparing me for the work I was meant to do.
Leadership Isn't About Having All the Answers
Leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about showing up anyway. It's about choosing to serve even when you're exhausted. It's about continuing to believe in your mission when funding is limited, resources are scarce, and progress feels slow.
Every challenge has taught me something valuable. I've learned that resilience isn't pretending everything is okay. Resilience is continuing to move forward despite uncertainty. It's asking for help when you need it. It's celebrating small victories while keeping your eyes on the bigger vision.
One lesson I carry with me every day is that impact isn't measured solely by numbers. Sometimes it's the one person who feels heard for the first time. Sometimes it's helping someone discover hope after believing they had none left.
To every woman building something meaningful, remember this: You don't need perfect timing, perfect finances, or perfect circumstances to begin. Start with what you have. Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep serving.
Your story may be the very thing that gives someone else permission to keep going. Our greatest challenges often become our greatest purpose. Mine certainly did.
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